2024 Round 22 DiffeRANCHals

Every week, I’m going to go over my suggestions from last week, and determine if they were a good or bad pick based on position and points. To describe in detail the ranking system, here is the metric: bust = 3 or fewer points (or not starting/on the bench), average = 4-5 points, good = 6-8 points, great = 9+ points. Players not available for selection I am disregarding and not counting as a positive or negative in the article.

DGW Scoring: Bust = 6 or fewer, Average = 7-9, Good = 10-12, Great = 13+

Week 21 Final Results: 

Matt:

• Cole Bassett – Bust (3 points)
• Brian White – Great! (14 points)

Brandon:

• Luca Orellano – Good (6 points)
• Giacomo Vrioni – Good (7 points)

Ranch:

• Facundo Torres – Great! (14 points)
• Bongokuhle Hlongwane – Bust (2 points)

2024 Full Season Results: 19 Great, 22 Good, 21 Average, 62 Busts

Matt Results: 7 Great, 5 Good, 9 Average, 22 Bust

Brandon Results: 6 Great, 8 Good, 8 Average, 19 Bust

Ranch Results: 6 Great, 9 Good, 4 Average, 21 Bust

 

Welcome back to week 22 of the diffeRANCHals article! Last week turned out to be a bit of a low-scoring week across the full FMLS field — great news, if you took our suggestions of White or Torres, though. This week, we’re back to our regular of two picks at each position as we head into another double gameweek!

Brandon: Mo Farsi, $7.9m (Defender – Columbus)

With two relatively friendly games this week, it’s a recall for me for Columbus’ dynamic right wing-back (namely, with position-mates Dylan Nealis and Ryan Raposo also not trailing far behind in alternative options). After a 5-1 dismantling of high-flying LAFC last week, the Crew will almost certainly be in high spirits. Farsi, after suffering the whims of Champions Cup rotation to start the season, has started to build up steam in the bonus points department, and can be relied upon to provide additional support in an on-form attack.

Matt: Bjørn Inge Utvik, $6.1m (Defender – Vancouver)

A lot of focus has gone to NYRB for the best Clean Sheet chances this DGW and rightfully so. A potentially sneaky late option is the Vancouver Whitecaps, hosting SKC and Houston, both teams that could score, but can also struggle to create chances. Along with that, Utvik is someone that has consistently collected his passing BPs so on top of a CS shout, you also can collect a few extra points from him as well.

Brandon: Hector Herrera, $11.0m (Midfielder – Houston)

Traditional FMLS wisdom states to always lead into home players, rather than those on the road — and generally, it’s good advice, given the level of home-field advantage in MLS. That said, it’s also hard to look past a player who has averaged 6.6 fantasy points in his last five games, and 6.3 in his last ten. Add to that the fact that Herrera has also won 22 bonus points for pass completion and 12 for key passes in his last ten games, and it becomes extremely hard to ignore. Oh, and did I mention that he’s cleared 100 passes attempted and 10 key passes twice in his last six games? And that he’s done it home and away? Because yeah, he’s done that too.

Ranch: Erik Thommy, $9.8m (Midfielder – SKC)

My go-to pick this season for differentials has been Erik Thommy. Why? Well, because he is the player that produces points on a 12th place Sporting KC team, even when the team isn’t doing well. This week, Thommy gets to travel to Vancouver, who is a weaker defense, and then host STL in a rivalry match. I couldn’t ask for better matchups for a player that I already look at week-to-week!

Ranch: Fafa Picault, $6.4m (Forward – Vancouver)

On the flipside of the midweek matchup, we have Fafa Picault representing the Vancouver Whitecaps. Although everyone is looking at Brian White and Ryan Gauld, Fafa is the player who seems to produce magic sporadically. With two home matchups, Vancouver players seem like the easiest picks for the week. My hesitation comes from Brian White being on Yellow Card Watch. What’s the best way to avoid that? Well, look at the next person in line, Fafa Picault. Should Fafa start in both games this gameweek (he sometimes rotates), I fully expect him to register at least 1 goal and 1 assist.

Matt: Petar Musa, $11.9m (Forward – Dallas)

Musa is somehow continually overlooked in FMLS even though he is on a tear, scoring 7 goals in the past 6 league games. Dallas has two enticing matchups, hosting Austin in a Texas Derby and going away to New England who have conceded 11 goals in their last 4 home games. Musa, if he plays, should have plenty of chances to score goals across both games. That being said, he is currently listed as questionable with some sort of illness. If he doesn’t play Wednesday, then someone like Farrington could also feast on these two matchups.