DiffeRANCHals: 2025 Round 3

 

 

 

 

 

Every week, we’ll go over our suggestions from the previous week, and determine if they were a good or bad pick based on player position and points. Here is the scoring system: 

• 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 
• great = 13+ points
• Players not available for selection are disregarded and not counted as either a positive or a negative.

 

Week 2 Results: 

Matt:

• Sam Adekugbe – Good (7 points)
• Philip Zinckernagel – Average (4 points)
• Brandon Vazquez – Bust (3 points)

Ranch:

• Andy Najar – Average (4 points)
• Ignatius Ganago – Bust (1 point)
• Brian White – Good (6 points)

Matt Results: 3 Good, 1 Average, 1 Bust

Ranch Results: 4 Good, 1 Average, 1 Bust

2025 Full Season Results: 0 Great, 7 Good, 2 Average, 2 Busts (82%)

 

Week 2 was another successful week of the diffeRANCHals article. As we enter week 3, don’t take your eyes off of the CCC teams too soon. There are still some gems in the rough if you can identify them. We have some suggestions for you as we take a look at the differential options for this week. Let’s get into it!

Ranch: Zanka, $6.1m (Defender – LA Galaxy)

As a late-game defender to fall back on, why not take a chance by taking the new Galaxy signing, Zanka. Although LA Galaxy played midweek, I still believe that they have a good chance at getting a clean sheet on Sunday at home against St. Louis. Why you may ask? Well, St. Louis has not scored a goal yet this season and honestly don’t look super dangerous either. It may be a good idea to have a Galaxy defender as a decent fall-back option this week.

Matt: Alexandros Katranis, $6.3m (Defender – Real Salt Lake)

RSL pulled a surprising result last weekend against the Seattle Sounders, keeping a CS against what is bound to be a lethal attack. Over the weekend, San Diego lost their main man in Chucy Lazano to injury, which makes an already tough trip to RSL that much harder. Katranis offers us a way into that RSL defense that could pull out another CS with the potential of some attacking returns as well, or at the very minimum some KPs.

Matt: Brian Gutierrez, $8.3m (Midfielder – Chicago)

After being suspended last weekend for their match against DC United, Gutierrez will look to add to his 2 goals that he picked up against Columbus in week 1 with a tasty matchup away against FC Dallas. Dallas’ attack has been on fire so far with Lucho and Musa running rampant, but their defense still looks very leaky. Gutierrez will have plenty of opportunities to connect with Bamba and the rest of the front-line to not only collect KPs but also have his own looks at goal. 

Ranch: Shapi Suleymanov, $6.8m (Midfielder – Kansas City)

The $2m signing by Sporting proved his worth last week against San Jose, racking up 6 key passes and 3 crosses during the game. Although he did not contribute to a goal, Suleymanov took some in-swinging corners and was dangerous in the attack. This week SKC travels to DC to face a United team that has already allowed 2 goals to Chicago and 2 goals to Toronto. SKC has to also put in 2 goals since they are of similar quality as the previously mentioned teams.

Ranch: Jesus Ferreira, $7.5m (Forward – Seattle)

The newly acquired Seattle attacker has a good chance at playing at the #10 playmaker position as Seattle hosts LAFC this Saturday. Jesus Ferreira knows the spot all too well, as he played the position quite often in Dallas. The reason I expect Ferreira to play as the #10 is due to Rusnak playing 86 minutes and Ferreira having to rest the last couple of games. Jesus is a bright player who knows how to feed a player like Jordan Morris in on goal. He has done it his entire career with players like Petar Musa and Ricardo Pepi.

Matt: Jacen Russell-Rowe, $8.2m (Forward – Columbus)

The Columbus Crew were embarrassed by LAFC Tuesday night in CONCACAF Champions Cup, losing 3-0 at BMO Stadium. Jacen Russel-Rowe, though, started the game on the bench and only played about 30 minutes. This makes me think he should start this weekend against the Houston Dynamo. While the Crew will be focusing on leg 2 against LAFC, this matchup is just too good to pass up. Houston has been struggling defensively all season so far and will give up plenty of chances to whatever team Columbus puts out on Saturday so JRR should have plenty of looks to continue his scoring.

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Contributors: 
Tyler Norman, @Ranchinator on Discord
Matt Nelson, @Tinkerman on Discord