MLS Fantasy Boss A Fantasy MLS Community
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 7 Final Results:
- Chris Brady – Bust (3 points)
- Fernando Alvarez – DNP
- Julio Cascante – Bust (2 points)
- Amine Bassi – Great! (11 points)
- Yaw Yeboah – Bust (1 point)
- Willy Agada – Great! (13 points)
- Teemu Pukki – Bust (2 points)
2024 Full Season Results: 6 Great, 4 Good, 9 Average, 28 Busts
Matt Results: 2 Greats, 5 Average, 9 Bust
Brandon Results: 2 Great, 4 Average, 10 Bust
Ranch Results: 2 Great, 4 Good, 9 Bust
Welcome back to week 8 of the diffeRANCHals article. Once again, we had a great week on the off-week of our picks. You know the article is popping off when Matt gets 2 great picks in 1 week! Now that we all have 2 great picks on the season, it is time to kick into 3rd gear and start really finding gems in the rough. As you can tell from quite a few picks, this week we decided it would be best to re-visit some old names. Let’s get into it!
Ranch: Thiago Martins, $6.7m (Defender – NYCFC)
We are starting off the article with a strong, floor defender. Thiago Martins has averaged a 4 point score over the entire season, primarily due to his consistent passing bonus point(s). With NYCFC yet to hold a clean sheet this season, this weekend feels like the best opportunity. New England traveled to Mexico on Tuesday, where they lost 2-5 (2-9 aggregate). NYCFC needs to prove that they can hold a team that is getting thwomped like that goalless and help turn their season around.
Matt: Lucas Bartlett, $6.6m (Defender – DC)
Clean sheet chances are abysmal this week. Speaking of abysmal, Orlando has been awful on the road this season. DCU should score goals, but they also could keep a clean sheet; not necessarily because DC has a great defense, but Orlando has yet to score a goal on the road. We have also heard Orlando is trying to shift around their attack and while that may work in the long run, it could take some time to start clicking. Bartlett is my pick in that DC backline because he’s a cheaper option than Herrera but still has been getting into the attack and has the potential to get an attacking return as well.
Ranch: Robin Lod, $9.7m (Midfielder – Minnesota)
Given the up and down pattern of Robin Lod’s fantasy scores, this may be the wrong week to suggest him for pickup. However, I truly love the matchup that Minnesota has this week. Hosting a Houston team who might be missing their primary center back in Micael and right back Franco Escobar feels like a recipe for success. Lod has taken up the playmaking role with Emmanuel Reyno-show being in Argentina getting his green card. As a result, his scores have been ballooned to larger numbers.
Brandon: Jared Stroud, $8.4m (Midfielder – DC)
Given the wealth of forward options this week, both of my picks this week come from midfield – and leading off, is a recall for DC’s Jared Stroud. Under the radar with DC, the former St Louis midfielder has been quietly ticking along with a goal and two assists so far this season, and seems “in line” for a large return, insofar as myself, Matt, Ranch’s abilities to pick players a week or two before their appearance in the Dream Team. DC also hosts an up-and-down Orlando this week, in a fixture that has historically provided goals – including a 5-3 thriller in 2022.
Brandon: Carlos Gomez, $8.8m (Midfielder – RSL)
Another familiar name being called upon this week is RSL’s Carlos Andrés Gomez. After a shaky start to the season, Gomez hit back with a brace and an assist in RSL’s snow game on matchday 3 against LAFC, and has picked up an assist in both of his starts since, against Colorado and Minnesota. With RSL’s weekend opponent Columbus having gone to extra time against Tigres on Tuesday to progress to a Champions Cup semi-final, many will be considering Chicho Arango as an option up top (and for captain) – so why not double up and pick up Gomez as well?
Matt: Bongokuhle Hlongwane, $7.6m (Forward – Minnesota)
Even though Houston typically has a solid defense, they are still conceding goals. If Micael and Escobar are both still out, Minnesota’s chances to score are that much better. In Bongi’s limited minutes this season, he has proved that he can get on the scoresheet. He also leads the team in npxG/90. If chances start coming Minnesota’s way, Bongi should be on the end of them.
