Boss’ Breakdown – Round 20

A set of hat-tricks highlighted a week with many goals but your captain choice likely decided your outcome as many people recorded triple digit scores only to see red arrows! If you missed anything over the weekend, here are the FMLS talking points from each match!

Real Salt Lake (1) – (1) San Jose Earthquakes

MOTM – Chris Wondolowski ($10.8) 8pts
Wondo has always been an RSL killer and this match is no difference. If this is the beginning of yet another goal streak, look out!

WATCHLIST – Yura Movsisyan ($9.0) 1pt
Yura was subbed just before half during the match. Keep an eye on @MLSInjuryNews for the latest on his condition of the upcoming rounds.

Portland Timbers (1) – (2) Los Angeles Galaxy

MOTM – Robbie Keane ($11.7) 8pts
Keane bounced back from the wildcard round letdown and will no doubt be hungrier than ever after Giovinco and Drogba put up hat-tricks this round. Their next match is against the lowly Sounders so look for Keane to step it up another notch.

WATCHLIST – Jake Gleeson ($4.7) 3pts
Kwarasey has sold, officially, so Gleeson is the de facto starter. Until Portland finds a veteran GK, as they are rumored to be searching for, Gleeson is yet another cheap defensive option that can free up funds elsewhere win your squad.

Columbus Crew (2) – (2) Orlando City SC

MOTM – Kevin Molino ($8.6) 12pts
Molino has been silently tallying up points in an almost forgotten Orlando side. Even with Kaka missing and the head coaching change, he’s averaged over 7pts a match in his last 6 matches. I can only see that going up with Kreis instituting his philosophy and Kaka fully returning from injury.

WATCHLIST – Ola Kamara ($8.9) 13pts
The train keeps on rolling! Ola continues his run of form and is even adding some other bonus to his tally. This week he added the foul bonus, penalties earned, shots taken, and general attacking bonus. His confidence is still rising so I foresee more returns in the future.

Montreal Impact (5) – (1) Philadelphia Union

MOTM – Didier Drogba ($12.3) 19pts
Drogba played through his “thigh injury” en route to notching a hat-trick. The uncertainty surrounding his starting status as well as the ever-present grass/turf decision left many managers uneasy about brining him in. With a performance like this, its very apparent Drogba can go off against any team and without needing games to get back into form.

WATCHLIST – Ignacio Piatti ($11.3) 17pts
Nacho played second fiddle to Drogba but put up a very nice score as well. He was all over the place with 2 assists, a goal, and both attacking a defensive bonus. Much has been discussed about his supposed fall down to mean, but Nacho is fighting off the regression very well.

New England Revolution (1) – (0) Chicago Fire

MOTM – Jevon Watson ($7.2) 13pts
Watson was deployed in his preferred defensive mid position and was able to score his first goal in a couple of years. If he continues to get starts in midfield, he’s an OOP option who will get 4pt clean sheet bonuses when applicable.

WATCHLIST – Chris Tierney ($8.2) 13pts
Tierney was back to his old habits throwing in crosses all afternoon racking up a total of 4 attacking bonus as well as an assist for the lone goal in the match. their next match is against the struggling Orlando so look for more attacking bonus.

Toronto FC (4) – (1) D.C. United

MOTM – Sebastian Giovinco ($13.2) 22pts
Another Hat-Trick-Hero! Go make the changes necessary to bring Gio in (if you don’t already have him) before his price gets any higher, go now!

WATCHLIST – Alex Bono ($4.5) 4pts
Bono is the confirmed starter, even after his howler last week, and with a DGW in Round 22, a starting GK at $4.5 is a near must-have.

Colorado Rapids (1) – (1) FC Dallas

MOTM – Marlon Hairston ($5.2) 12pts
Hairston scored in his 2nd straight match and because he is listed as a defender, he received the clean sheet bonus as he was subbed off before Ulloa’s scorcher. If he continues to get starts OOP, Hairston will be a steal considering Colorado has statistically the best defense in the league.

WATCHLIST – Mekeil Williams ($7.1) 1pt
Williams was subbed at half during the match. Keep an eye on @MLSInjuryNews for the latest on his condition of the upcoming rounds.

Houston Dynamo (0) – (0) Vancouver Whitecaps

MOTM – David Ousted($6.3) 8pts
Ousted fought through the Houston heat and was busy saving 4 of the Dynamo’s 17 total shots. Vancouver travels back to Dallas next week but I expect Ousted to have a harder time keeping the rolling Dallas offense out of the net.

WATCHLIST – Raul Rodriguez ($8.1) 1pt
Rodriguez was subbed early on in this match and I’ll say it a third time, keep an eye on @MLSInjuryNews for the latest on his condition of the upcoming rounds!

New York Red Bulls (4) – (1) New York City FC

MOTM – Sacha Kljestan  ($12.4) 16pts
Sacha, much like Piatti, was everywhere and dominated the match. He too had 2 assists, a goal, and both attacking a defensive bonus. Chicago up next round means the streak of double digit returns could likely continue.

WATCHLIST – Bradley Wright Phillips ($11.3) 12pts
BWP has found a bit of form scoring or assisting in the last three matches. Although he’s $11.3, he’s considered a (somewhat) cheaper option if you’re needing funds elsewhere in your squad.

Sporting Kansas City (3) – (0) Seattle Sounders FC

MOTM – Dom Dwyer ($10.2) 14pts
Typical Dom being a nuisance, just pestering the defense into mistakes and taking his chances. Nothing new here, just need more consistent performances from the players behind him for Dwyer to be a reliable fantasy option.

WATCHLIST – Ike Opara ($7.0) 10pts
Ike once again found himself upfield and involved in the attack assisting on one of the goals scored by SKC. His speed and aerial ability means he’ll always be looking to get involved and if SKC can continue to keep clean sheets, Opara will be back in everyones thoughts as he was in years past.