DiffeRANCHals: 2025 Round 4

 

 

 

 

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 3 Results: 

Matt:

• Alexandros Katranis- Bust (0 points)
• Brian Gutierrez – Average (4 points)
• Jacen Russell-Rowe – Bust (2 points)

Ranch:

• Zanka- Bust (0 points)
• Shapi Suleymanov – Bust (2 point)
• Jesus Ferreira – Good (7 points)

Matt Results: 3 Good, 2 Average, 3 Bust

Ranch Results: 5 Good, 1 Average, 3 Bust

2025 Full Season Results: 0 Great, 8 Good, 3 Average, 6 Busts (64%)

 

Week 3 was a rough week for the diffeRANCHals team with Tyler’s Jesus Ferreira pick only being the only real hit. With a few tough away legs for the CCC teams, lineups could provide some extra differential pieces. Here are some solid options for you to make up some ground in your rankings. Let’s get into it!

Ranch: Chris McVey, $7.3m (DEF – SD)

For my defender pick this week, I wanted to check two boxes: The first box being a team that is playing against another team in CCC. My second box was a team that has allowed less than 3 goals in the first 3 games of the season. San Diego fits both of those boxes, allowing only 1 goal and is playing against the Columbus Crew on Saturday. The Crew just had a hard fought, grueling game against LAFC on Tuesday, which ultimately resulted in defeat. The main starters for the Crew will likely be tired and need rest. This is a perfect opportunity for McVey and San Diego to record yet another clean sheet at home this season. McVey has hit his passing accuracy bonus point in all 3 games of the season and is now the core center back with McNair going down injured. Look for San Diego to play lockdown defense this weekend.

Matt: Ryan Hollingshead, $7.5m (DEF – LAFC)

LAFC rotated fairly heavily last weekend against the Sounders, and even if they played CCC midweek against Columbus I think they will roll close to a first-choice XI at home against Austin–a team that has scored 1 goal in their first 3 games. Hollingshead not only gives you that CS chance, but also provides some attacking threats. If you can get there with your budget, he’s a great option. Otherwise, Marlon, Segura, Palencia, or really anyone on their backline would be a great option this week.

Matt: Maxi Morales, $7.1m (MID – NYCFC)

It’s wild to me that I am writing about Maxi Morales in 2025. But with the very last-minute sale of Santi, Maxi has had to fill in at the 10 and be their main set-piece taker. While the 38-year-old is far from his prime, I think this matchup could provide a great ceiling for the Argentinian. Many will be going with NYC’s backline this week, but going with their attack could be a sneaky way to get one up on league rivals and move up the rankings. 

Ranch: Sebastian Berhalter, $6.8m (MID – VAN)

With Ryan Gauld likely out for 6 weeks through injury, Vancouver is going to have to rely on a new playmaker to fill that void. The playmakers to choose from are either Pedro Vite or Sebastian Berhalter. I am going to choose Berhalter for this article simply because he is the player who takes over the set pieces when Gauld is absent. In the last 3 league games that Behalter has played in, he has produced 5, 6, and 6 key passes. That is a clear indicator that he gets forward and sends in dangerous balls. Expect Brian White to continue to finish his chances in Dallas.

Ranch: Tadeo Allende, $7.2m (FOR – MIA)

I don’t know how they are doing it, but Inter Miami has won two games now with an early red card in them. How does that affect a forward? Well, typically managers would avoid a team that gets red cards often. However, Miami is a team that you can target regardless. With the talent that surrounds a player like Allende (Messi, Suarez, Alba, Busquets), he will likely score goals regardless of what the personnel is on the field. Allende has proven that with goals in back to back games for Miami. I believe that this streak will be extended to 3 straight as Miami travels to Atlanta for the Sunday prime time fixture. 

Matt: Rafael Navarro, $8.3m (FOR – COL)

I’ll be the first to admit that moving away from the chalk forwards this week is dangerous. But if you want to play that game, Rafael Navarro is quietly having a solid start to the season. He has 3 goals to his name and is going up against the San Jose Earthquakes who, while very much improved after last season, have given the 5th most xG to opponents at 5.6. Even on the road, that is something that the Rapids should be able to take advantage of and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Navarro on the score sheet for a third week in a row.

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