Boss’ Breakdown – Round 3

Round 3 was again full of surprises and a continuation of #FantasySorrows if you captained Villa/Giovinco. Hopefully you were on the right side of the 4 free kick goals and lucky enough to avoid the 5 red cards en route to a great FMLS Round 3. If you missed any of the action, here’s a quick recap.

New York City FC (0) – (1) Orlando City SC

NYCFC was again deployed in a 3-4-3 formation with a multitude of central midfielders. Orlando were once again without their talisman Kaka, whose injury status remains uncertain. The lone goal by Cyle Larin seemed a bit of an accident after a deflected cross from Ramos met the forwards head in the 7th minute of the match. The remaining 85+ mins were filled with many half chances for each team but Villa’s (my captain!) non involvement has extended many #FantasySorrows into Round 3.

MOTM – Cyle Larin ($9.2)
Larin netted his 3rd goal in as many matches but was subbed out in the 55th min. However, it was because of illness and Larin is expected to be fine for the next match against Portland (April 3rd).

WATCHLIST – Ronald Matarrita ($7.7)
Playing on the left of a back three, Mattarrita was very busy on the defensive end earning 6 defensive bonus points. Expect that to continue as NYCFC have their next two matches at the narrow Yankee Stadium.

Chicago Fire (0) – (0) Columbus Crew

Chicago rolled out a formation which saw three center backs and the wing backs push forward to provide width. The extra men up the field lead to a successful press against Columbus. Even with nearly 60% of possession and three times as many shots as Chicago (12 and 3, respectively), Columbus was only able to walk away with a point as Chicago earned a point in their home opener even without their talisman David Accam (out 2 weeks). 

MOTM – Matt Lampson ($4.6)
Lampson has kept Sean Johnson on the bench and performances like this make sense of the decision. Besides Worra, Lampson is the cheap backup GK you want if you need to free up some funds.

WATCHLIST – Waylon Francis ($6.9)
The left back was able to rack up 3 defensive bonus as well as a pass completion bonus. His attacking prospects are boosted if/when Mabwati can get a start as their combination on the left flank looks dangerous.

New York Red Bulls (4) – (3) Houston Dynamo

The offensive floodgates have opened for Red Bulls and the flow continued for the dynamic Dynamo even without Maidana/Barnes. An entertaining back and forth match saw some new faces on the score sheet as well as some of our old favorites. If you’re looking to go back and rewatch a match, this is the one!

MOTM – Felipe ($8.7)
A late brace by the Brazilian secured all three points for New York. If he can keep the scoring up, he’ll be a worthy option over his higher priced teammates Kljestan and McCarty.

WATCHLIST – Will Bruin ($9.3)
Bruin has continued his fine form with another brace even with some newcomers slotting into the midfield behind him. 

FC Dallas (2) – (0) Montreal Impact

Dallas allowed 5 goals last week but were able to shutout the freescoring Impact in the next week? (#BecauseMLS) Montreal welcomed back Didier Drogba but his substitution in the 70th min only seemed to spur on the home team, FC Dallas. A Mauro Diaz free kick and a wonder strike from Maxi Urruti was just too much for the Impact, who suffered their first loss of the season.

MOTM – Mauro Diaz ($10.4)
The argentine was able to shrug off last weeks decimation to the tune of 11 points with both attacking and defensive bonus points. With the upcoming DGW, he’s near essential. 

WATCHLIST – Maxi Urruti ($8.5)
It seems as though Maxi has locked down the starting role and with willingness to shoot at all times, he should be a good source of points in the upcoming DGW.

Seattle Sounders (1) – (2) Vancouver Whitecaps

The first match of the Cascadia Cup was match was one of many controversial calls, perhaps all three goals a direct result of them. Seattle walks away with their third loss of the year while the Whitecaps take their first points of the year into a DGW, both of which are at home.

MOTM – Pedro Morales ($10.8)
Morales tucked away both of his two PKs, bringing his tally to three for the year. Although he was deputized in a deeper role, he still provided attacking returns. 

WATCHLIST – Andreas Ivanschitz ($7.6)
The highly touted midfielder finally got on the scoresheet but seems the only bright spot in the struggling offense of Seattle.

Los Angeles Galaxy (3) – (1) San Jose Earthquakes

The first Cali Classico went to the Galaxy as they were able to take advantage of being a man up as Simon Dawkins was sent off in first half stoppage time. San Jose was also with out Clarence Goodson, who missed through back tightness. Los Angeles handed San Jose their first loss of the year and continued their home/away form split we’ve all come to love.

MOTM – Gyasi Zardes ($9.5)
The USMNT call-up was played out wide but was still able to put away two goals. He’s continuing to prove his place in the ever changing lineup for Los Angeles.

WATCHLIST – Chris Wondolowski ($10.7)
Like clockwork, Wondo is again on the scoresheet scoring his 3rd goal in as many games. Might he break his own single season goal scoring record this year?

Portland Timbers (2) – (2) Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake once again found themselves down a man(Beckerman red card)  but were able to score. However that wasn’t enough as Fanendo Adi clawed back two goals in the final minutes of the match to earn a point for the Timbers. RSL will still take pride in the draw having taken a point from the reigning champs on the road.

MOTM – Fanendo Adi ($10.2)
Adi’s 10th brace for Portland earned him 15 pts. Its almost like he likes scoring for the Timbers Army?The next two are on the road for Portland, but Round 6 sees them have two matches at home.

WATCHLIST – Joao Plata ($9.3)
Another goal for Plata keeps his streak of attacking returns alive, but will that end at the defensively stout SKC next round?

Philadelphia Union (3) – (0) New England Revolution

Philadelphia have certainly turned a new leaf since their opening week loss, recording two wins and two clean sheets on the bounce. The opposite can be said for New England who scored three in their first match but haven’t score since. The Revolution looked on the back foot the whole match conceding two penalties but Bobby Shuttleworth saved the team from complete embarrassment saving them both. New England looks to bounce back as they play both the New York teams in  Round 4.

MOTM – CJ Sapong ($8.1)
2 goals and 17 pts but 2 missed opportunities for the hat trick, c’mon Ilsinho and Le Toux!

WATCHLIST – Bobby Shuttleworth ($5.8)
Its not very often that goalkeepers get a penalty save, but two in one match? He’s on form and with a DGW in Round 4, he should be en route to another double digit round.

D.C. United (1) – (1) Colorado Rapids

DC and Colorado battled to a draw but the real takeaway from this match is Tim Howard’s arrival after his season at Everton is over. Zac McMath may have made the case for Howard to slot in right away as his mistake allowed Espindola to equalize after Dillon Powers took the lead in the 69th min. Each team will look to rebound from a sloppy match which had very few clear cut chances.

MOTM – Marco Pappa ($8.1)
Handed his first start of the year, Pappa provided the assist to Dillon Powers. He’ll welcome Gashi back from suspension next round and will look to continue providing attacking returns.

WATCHLIST – Fabian Espindola ($9.9)
The goalscorer, Espindola, was able to shrug off an apparent hamstring injury to make a 31 minute cameo. His status for the DGW is one I’ll be following closely as he’s the only DC attacker of interest for me.

Sporting Kansas City (1) – (0) Toronto FC

Sporting KC were able to contain the reigning MVP Giovinco and sneak away with a win. The lone goal will be under some scrutiny as it appeared that Brad Davis fouled Justin Morrow before gaining possession and slotting home the eventual game winner. Jozy Altidore returned from injury for Toronto (for now) but his involvement, coupled with being up a man for ~10 mins (Espinoza red card) , wasn’t enough as the barrage of attempts on Tim Melia’s goal went everywhere but into the net.

MOTM – Nuno Coelho ($7.8)
Coelho is at the center of SKC’s resilient back line and racked up 2 defensive bonus along with another clean sheet. Sporting likes to play out of the back so some passing bonus will eventually come as well.

WATCHLIST – Brad Davis ($8.0)
The 2nd half substitute knows to play to the whistle and took advantage of the slow reacting Toronto FC defense. Look for him to contribute more as he gains his fitness and SKC welcomes back their other injured players.