DiffeRANCHals: 2025 Round 28

 

 

 

 

Every week, we’ll go over our 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 did not play), average = 4-5 points, good = 6-8 points, great = 9+ points. Double gameweeks (DGWs) are scored as follows: bust = 6 or fewer points (or not starting/on the bench), average = 7-9 points, good = 10-12 points and great = 13+ points. Players not available for selection are disregarded and not counted as either a positive or a negative in the article.

Week 26 Results: 

Matt:

• Michael Boxall- Bust (3 points)
• Myrto Uzuni- Good (7 points)
• Kelvin Yeboah – Bust (2 points) 

Ranch:

• Noah Eile- Great! (9 points)
• Jackson Hopkins – Bust (2 point) 
• Chucky Lozano – Good (7 points)

Meg:

• Guilherme Biro– Bust (1 point) 
• Ignatius Ganago- Good (8 points)
• Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting- Bust (2 points) 

Matt Results: 8 Great, 16 Good, 15 Average, 30 Bust (58%)

Ranch Results: 14 Great, 21 Good, 6 Average, 30 Bust (58%)

Meg Results: 8 Great, 6 Good, 5 Average, 22 Busts (48%)

2025 Full Season Results: 30 Great, 43 Good, 26 Average, 81 Busts (55%)

 

Welcome back to diffeRANCHals! After taking last week off, we now have a quick turnaround for a DGW. With a minimal amount of DGW teams, let’s take a look at who we believe is a good diffeRANCHal this week. Let’s get into it!

Matt: Andres Herrera, $7.4m (Defender – Columbus Crew)

There is a very low chance Columbus keeps a clean sheet this matchweek. But I love Herrera’s consistency in that backline and his ability to get forward and attack. I don’t love his first matchup away at NYCFC, but that second game at home against Toronto should see him getting forward and being goal-dangerous.

Ranch: Chris McVey, $10.2m (Defender – San Diego)

Although San Diego didn’t record a clean sheet this past weekend, there was a defender who shined in the game. That defender was Chris McVey. Playing as the right wingback, McVey was often a goal threat having late arriving runs and nearly got on the end of many crosses. If this trend continues, I can see McVey recording a goal or assist this weekend. 

Meg: Artem Smolykov, $4.1m (Defender – LAFC)

LAFC plays RSL two times this week, once away and once at home. Smolykov has been working in the midfield and gives into the attack. Two chances at a CS and attacking potential make Smolykov a contender to have on your team this wild, crazy week. 

Ranch: Paul Rothrock, $6.4m (Midfielder – Seattle)

After an amazing performance in Leagues Cup, everyone in Seattle now identifies Paul Rothrock as a hero. Miami may have Messi, but Seattle has Paul Rothrock. He has been influential in many games this season and this DGW will be no exception. Keep an eye on the winger to contribute goals or assists even though Seattle is on the road. 

Meg: Maxi Moralez, $10.3m (Midfielder – NYCFC)

I know this week forwards are complicated and some are debating on running Martinez, rightfully thought but if you cannot make room for him, why not take a chance on Maxi Mo? He’s such a crucial part of NYC’s midfield and tends to always create chances, occasionally snags a goal or an assist but racks up those BPs. 

Matt: Dylan Chambost, $8.7m (Midfield – Columbus)

I’m going right back to the Crew for this second pick. Gazdag will be the chalk Columbus pick this week, but I think Chambost should see a solid floor. With Rossi out injured, Chambost should see a monopoly of set pieces and should rack up crosses and KPs instead of just the usual passing BPs. I see him as a perfect bench play for an autoroo or a starting mid you can rely on to get somewhere between 8-10 points.

Meg: Weston Abou Ali, $10.7m (Forward – Columbus Crew)

WAAaaaaa! Yeah, this is the week he makes those opposing defenses cry tears. I know the Crew are without Rossi but I think with WAA in the mix that they stand a chance to create some goal scoring moments. Will he and Gazdag work together in the absence of Rossi and show what they are capable of? Worth the consideration, if you don’t want that chalky chalk triple threat. 

Matt: Chucky Lozano, $12.8m (Forward – San Diego)

With all the DGW hype, it isn’t a bad thing to have a SGW fallback or two. If you don’t like what you saw in the first few games or disaster strikes, San Diego plays early Saturday to provide a solid pivoting option. Chucky and Co. will be playing in Atlanta which, seeing how their backline crumbled this past weekend to Columbus, is not a bad place to look for differential points.

Ranch: Jesus Ferreira, $9.0m (Forward – Seattle)

Maybe I am being a little bit of a homer this week. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Jesus Ferreira is starting to make an impact for Seattle. Not only does he take set pieces when Rusnak is off the field, but he also is contributing in open play. I firmly believe that Leagues Cup has helped build the chemistry with this team and Ferreira feels at home again.

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Contributors: 
Tyler Norman, @Ranchinator on Discord
Matt Nelson, @Tinkerman on Discord
Megan Lee Turner, @Meg on Discord