Boss’ Breakdown – Round 14

MLSFantasy is back! If you missed anything this MLS Weekend, perhaps watching other matches (Copa & Euros), heres a quick recap of Round 14!

New York City FC (3) – (2) Philadelphia Union

MOTM – David Villa ($12.0) 8pts
Villa nearly scored from the center circle. Nothing oozes confidence more than an attempt at that shot. The fact that it nearly went in is a good sign for goals in the very near future!

WATCHLIST – Frank Lampard ($10.1) 8pts
Lampard, alongside Pirlo and Villa, finally started a match! He made a career of late runs into the box and scoring so why is it a surprise that he’s doing that here? If he can find time to continue to start, expect more of the same.

Vancouver Whitecaps (1) – (2) New England Revolution

MOTM – Lee Nguyen ($11.8) 5pts
Nguyen was once again pulling the strings for New england, but his 5 points leaves much to desire after posting double digits the previous three games. He’ll have his chance to rebound against DC United before a DGW in Round 16. He should be in your team or at least your very near future plans.

WATCHLIST – London Woodberry ($5.0) 8pts
I’m not certain Woodberry’s headed goal wouldn’t have gone in without his recent haircut, but his fresh hairdo might make coach take him more serious in which case his price point is quite appealing. A DGW in Round 16 doesn’t hurt either!

Columbus Crew SC (0) – (0) Montreal Impact

MOTM – Is this possible in a 0-0 draw? I think not!

WATCHLIST – Ethan Finlay ($10.6) 3pts Ola Kamara ($8.2) 1pt
Finlay earned a start up while Columbus shuffles the lineup as Higuain is out injured (Hernia surgery). Ola Kamara played though a hamstring niggle and could over take Finlay soon. Either player should be monitored adversely as their talisman is out 6-8 weeks.

Orlando City SC (2) – (2) San Jose Earthquakes

MOTM – Shea Salinas ($8.8) 10pts
Salinas was the spark San Jose needed when he entered the match as a substitute notching both a goal and an assist. Maybe this will earn him a spot on the left flank? I sure hope so, he’s always capable to racking up the crossing bonus.

WATCHLIST – Julio Baptista ($7.5) 5pts
The Beast is loose! I don’t know if I’m more scared of his lack of playing time or just the man himself but I’m gonna keep an eye on him for now. If he strings some starts together, and with his buddy Kaka back, he could be good value at just $7.5.

Toronto FC (1) – (0) LA Galaxy

MOTM – Drew Moor ($7.7) 15pts
A goal and a clean sheet from a defender is pretty much all you can ask for! Its almost as if we shouldve seen this coming, as Moor has already scored this year and Toronto has recorded 6 clean sheets. Expect more solid defensive performances for Toronto at home.

WATCHLIST – Sebastian Giovinco (12.7) 4pts
A Gio blank (of sorts) doesn’t come too often, but as the hosts of our own MLSFI podcast touted, he is still recovering from injury and the money could/should be spent elsewhere in the meantime. That said, a trip to Orlando might speed up the recovery of his form.

Colorado Rapids (2) – (1) Chicago Fire

MOTM – Marco Pappa (8.2) 6pts
Papa played through his “sprained knee” and in his 8 minute cameo, scored the winner to give Colorado the full 3 points.  His fitness seems to be the only thing holding him back, but as he’s shown multiple times this year, he only needs one chance to provide attacking returns.

WATCHLIST – David Accam ($9.1) 5pts
Accam seems to be rounding into the form he opened the year with and its very much welcomed by the MLSFantasy community. Looking (somewhat) farther into the future, Chicago hosts SKC in the bye-ridden Round 18.

Houston Dynamo (0) – (0) D.C. United

MOTM – I repeat, is this possible in a 0-0 draw? I think not!

WATCHLIST – Luciano Acosta ($8.6) 3pts
Acosta has been getting more minutes and is surely going to break out soon. New England at home isn’t the worst fixture to do so.

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

MOTM – Juan Manuel Martinez ($8.9) 10pts
Burrito found the back of the net again, making it three in his last four matches. Has he overtaken Morales and Plata as the best fantasy option?

WATCHLIST – Nick Rimando ($6.2) 3pts
Four out of RSL’s next six matches are at Rio Tinto including a DGW in Round 15. If you’re in need of a new GK, Rimando is your best bet.

Sporting Kansas City (2) – (0) FC Dallas

MOTM – Benny Feilhaber ($11.0) 11pts
Benny, although shrouded in controversy, delivered a goal and an assist. He’s been playing farthest back in the midfield three and producing, is this the Benny of old?

WATCHLIST – Ike Opara ($6.6) 6pts
With Coelho out injured and Besler with the USMNT, Opara has stepped up and been solid in the center of defense. even with his injury history, Opara is still pretty quick and is always a threat from set pieces.

New York Red Bulls (2) – (0) Seattle Sounders FC

MOTM – Mike Grella ($8.3) 14pts
Ike Opara’s favorite player (check his All-Star ballot!!) certainly showed the goods by putting up double digits. With a DGW next round, he’s certain to be a popular pickup.

WATCHLIST – Joevin Jones ($6.9) 1pt (OOP!!)
With players missing to Copa America, Jones earned a spot on the left wing in favor of his normal left back position. Keep an eye on him to see if he earns more starts as the potential for clean sheets along with attacking returns could be massive.