Boss’ Breakdown – Round 16

FMLS went with a different look to the schedule, DGW-wise, so we have but one day before the next round starts. If you happened to miss anything from Round 16, here are the takeaways from each match.

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Chicago Fire (1) – (0) San Jose Earthquakes

MOTM – John Goosens ($7.0) 10pts
Remember when the FMLS community was researching Visa approval times before the start of the season? Seems so long ago, but Goosens may have just re-gained the form that sparked his initial interest. He hasn’t been starting too many matches but a game-winning goal will certainly get the coaches attention.

WATCHLIST – John Campbell ($5.0) 7pts
Campbell has continued to start in the center of defense, resulting in average point totals but his price tag allows for movement of funds across other positions. Chicago has a home match against SKC in the bye-ridden Round 18 if you’re looking a little farther down the schedule.

Real Salt Lake (1) – (1) D.C United

MOTM – Yura Movsisyan ($8.9) 9pts
Yura once again provided attacking returns, making that 4 straight matches. Excluding the 2nd of the matches in Round 15 in which RSL blatantly told off the FMLS community! (SHAME) Expect the streak to continue as the leaky defense from Montreal makes their way to Rio Tinto in Round 16.

WATCHLIST – Bill Hamid ($6.3) 5pts
Hamid brought an end to the Worra-train but has been absolutely stunning between the sticks since his return. In the 5 matches he’s started, DC has recored 3 clean sheets and Hamid has averaged 7 points per match. He’d definitely a premium GK, but consistency is worth the price.

Montreal Impact (3) – (2) New England Revolution

MOTM – Michael Salazar ($5.2) 12pts
Salazar earned a surprise start and didn’t waste the opportunity, scoring a brace and helping Montreal to come back from down two goals. This performance could lead to Drogba and/or incoming striker Mancosu being eased in the lineup.

WATCHLIST – Kei Kamara ($11.1) 13pts
Of course Kamara decides to show his prowess during a DGW, only it seemed no one was looking his direction? Kai is nothing if not streaky so expect more goals in the upcoming rounds.

Toronto FC (1) – (1) Seattle Sounders

MOTM – Jordan Morris ($8.2) 8pts
Morris is making the runs in behind that made Klinsman take notice, only now he’s putting the shots on frame. His confidence is sky rocketing, especially after his brace against West Ham in their friendly Tuesday night.

WATCHLIST – Joevin Jones ($6.9) 7pts
Jones wasn’t starting up top this match, but was still involved in the attack nothing an assist on Morris’ goal. If he can continue the attacking returns and make his way up the formation, he may be the OOP(think Rodney Wallace years past) we’ve all been waiting for!

Houston Dynamo (1) – (0) Philadelphia Union

MOTM – Cristian Maidana ($9.1) 7pts
The former Philly midfielder showed why many fantasy managers had him in our Round 1 lineups. He left it late but was able to secure the full three points for Houston via an unstoppable free kick.

Watchlist – Andrew Blake ($5.0) 7pts
Blake has been phenomenal for both club and country this year. In his 17 starts, he’s amassed 80 points, just shy of 5pts per game. If only every player was able to score a 1/1 ratio compared to their price!

New York City FC (2) – (0) New York Red Bulls

MOTM – David Villa ($12.1) 9pts
Captain Villa is the embodiment of a perfect fantasy captain. Always looking to shoot, and involved in everything. This match he had 8 shots, bringing his total of 113. Thats 20 more than the 2nd place holder, Giovinco (93 shots). 3rd in that chart, Dwyer, is another 30 short at 63. Shots equal guaranteed points, perfect for a captain option!

WATCHLIST – Jack Harrison ($5.8) 12pts
Harrison once again displayed his trickery and this time it resulted in a goal and an assist. His price point and seemingly locked in position in one of the leagues most in-form teams makes him a viable fantasy option outside of the DGWs.

Sporting Kansas City (3) – (2) Columbus Crew

MOTM – Ola Kamara ($8.5) 14pts
Ola has taken the Kamara crown in Columbus and never looked back. In his 6 starts (1 sub appearance) since being the starting ST, he has scored 7 goals. Higuain out was supposed to slow the offense, but it certainly hasn’t slowed as of yet!

WATCHLIST – Graham Zusi ($10.9) 9pts
Zusi seems to have taken the confidence from his appearances at Copa America and brought it back to Kansas City. He looked like the Fantasy King of years past with that slaloming run and left footed blast, take notice fantasy managers!

Colorado Rapids (0) – (0) Portland Timbers

MOTM – Tim Howard ($6.1) 8pts
Howards first match, Howards first clean sheet. I believe its more on the defense itself instead of just Howard, so I’d suggest Sjoberg if you’re looking for a player from one of the leagues best defenses.

WATCHLIST – Diego Valeri ($11.0) 0pts
Valeri missed out last round and has already been ruled out for Round 16!! Be sure to follow @MLSInjuryNews for the latest on Valeri and all other injuries!!

FC DALLAS (4) – (0) Orlando City SC

MOTM – Mauro Diaz ($11.3) 16pts
Diaz was sublime in the attack for the entirety of the match, as was FCD as a whole. If only he could have finished off that nutmeg towards the end to really cement this match as one of the best fantasy performances of the year!

WATCHLIST – Orlando City SC
With the news of Adrian Heath parting ways as the head coach, I think we need to see how they run out in the next couple of matches to gauge the fantasy impact.

LA Galaxy (2) – (0) Vancouver Whitecaps

MOTM – Steven Gerrard ($10.4) 12pts
Stevie-G was spraying his signature passes all over the pitch en route to two assists and a 12pt game. He looks very comfortable tucked in behind the striker, but his injury history and penchant for missing matches has me wary of picking him up just yet.

WATCHLIST – Brian Rowe ($4.9) 9pts
Rowe seems to have taken over the starting role and with a price tag of just $4.9, he could free up some money for other roster spots, no match in Round 18 though.

New England Revolution (0) – (1) New York City FC

MOTM – Frank Lampard ($10.4) 8pts
Lampard once again found himself making a run in the box and was able to redirect T-Macs bullet of a pass (intended for my captain Villa!) into the net. That also continued his form of 8 points a match over his last four, not a run of form that should be ignored.

WATCHLIST – Brad Knighton ($4.9) 0pts
With Shuttleworth’s red card and subsequent suspension, look for Knighton to lock down the starting role as there has been rotation between the two already. Similarly priced as the aforementioned Rowe ($4.9), he could free up some money for other roster spots, no match in Round 18 though.