Fantasy MLS 2015 Round 12 Review (Part 1)

New England Revolution 2 vs. Sporting Kansas City 4

Highlights

The Revolution pulled ahead early and looked to unload a beating on a injury riddled SKC side, however the game turned in favor of SKC in the second half and the Revolution couldn’t find their way back into the game. The likes Agudelo and Davies made their mark, but it wasn’t enough with the likes of Nguyen staying cool while Benny Feilhaber and Nemeth coasted into the hottest form of their season, leading SKC to a 4-2 win.

Fantasy Standouts/Letdowns

• The biggest surprise of this game was Nemeth, while Dwyer finally found the back of the net after missing some opportunities that Feilhaber left on a platter for him. Feilhaber continued his fine form as usual, however neither teams defense was desirable. On the Revs Agudelo and Davies both were able to find the back of the net, but 2014 Nguyen is still in hiding after a superb campaign last year. More to come from these teams in the weekend game.

Columbus Crew 2 vs. Chicago Fire 2

Highlights

This one was a thriller in which Chicago was probably happy with compared to the late goal they gave up last week against NYCFC. Columbus went up early through red-hot forward Kei Kamara, before the Fire clawed their way back with an Accam goal and a Jason Johnson goal at the death. The possession was split relatively even and the Fire actually had double the amount of shots, but the same amount on goal. Accam continued to make a case for his inclusion on all rosters come the Fire DGW, while the demise of Fantasy Harry Shipp is becoming more and more real with each GW that passes. For Kei Kamara it’s just business as usual

Fantasy Standouts

• Kei Kamara ($9.0): With 24.6% ownership it’s safe to say all aboard the Kamara hype train. This train is only getting bigger with a Columbus DGW coming up in GW 14. The hype is real and only going to continue. He has solid attacking players behind him with Finlay, Meram and Higuain all providing great service. The only person this is a downside for are those 3 because they can’t always share the love.
• David Accam ($8.4): Accam is relatively cheap for what I think he’s capable of. His goal this week wasn’t a work of beauty or anything, but it was a result of being in the right place at the right time, which is always good to see from an attacking player. He’s been putting his blistering speed on display and ability to get at defenders making him a must for his DGW the week after next.
• Eric Gehrig ($5.0): Lovel Palmer started the past two games so it remains to be seen if Gehrig can be trusted going forward, but at $5.0 he doesn’t eat up any bench space and is someone you can keep on your bench to have as a sub going forward. His ability to get into the attack was showcased this weekend as well.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Harry Shipp ($7.9): An unbelievably large amount of people, 21.9%, has Shipp on their team. Now that may be mostly inactives, but regardless there’s no reason. He’s shown in the past two weeks with scores of 2 and 3. Maloney has completely taken over Shipp’s playmaking role and dropped Shipp to a role player on the wing.
• Finlay/Meram/Higuain: These players aren’t letdowns in the traditional sense, but have a propensity to let down which is why they’re here. All three are such an integral part of the attack, which often leads to Kamara goals and one or the other assisting. While that’s great for continual weeks in the 4-6 range, these players can’t be relied upon outside of that except maybe Finlay (check on his injury). Higuain also bears the unfortunate title of forward making it difficult to justify him over Kamara. For what it’s worth the only one of these 3 that didn’t get subbed off in the last game was Meram. Take those facts for what you will and pick one or none, but be sure you have Kamara for the DGW.

Highlights

The Galaxy continues to use interesting lineup after interesting lineup without Keane, but it always comes to the same result, an Alan Gordon wonder goal at the death. However, this time was an even greater goal because Keane assisted and marked his return. The game was rather dull with only 2 shots on goal for each team and a lopsided possession in favor of the Galaxy. Barnes and Davis couldn’t get it going on the counter leaving Houston with a disappointing 1-0 loss. Despite the return of Keane and Villarreal this game still doesn’t leave much of a hint for how the Galaxy will approach the upcoming DGW.

Fantasy Standouts

• Omar Gonzalez ($9.8): Omar’s scratch from the roster last week hurt a lot of fantasy owners, but more importantly hurt the Galaxy defense. His presence and leadership showed through this week in the back helping the Galaxy to a clean sheet and racking up a few BPs in the process. If you can find a better way to spend the money then do it, but I can’t give a good reason to not have Omar in the back.
• Robbie Keane ($11.1): Keane came on and in 22 minutes assisted on the game-winning goal. The fact that he had to sub on makes it seem like he’s not ready for 180 minutes yet, but even a 120 minute performance or 90 minute performance could be good enough to warrant a pickup, especially because his price hasn’t spiraled out of control like some others (looking at you Dempsey and Giovinco).

Fantasy Letdowns

• Houston Defense: Somehow Tyler Deric is still owned by 18% of fantasy owners. He hasn’t produced nearly well enough to warrant that kind of attention especially with guys like Clint Irwin providing steady numbers for the same price. The rest of the defense is all over priced. No one on it is worth their price especially with the Dynamo unable to keep a shutout.
• Giles Barnes ($9.2): He didn’t manage to direct any of his 3 shots on goal and is eating up valuable space with some big DGWs coming up. He’s not a SGW I think is worth keeping. If you’re keen on him he can be picked back up with the WC round in 15 coming up.

Toronto FC 1 vs. Portland Timbers 0

Highlights

Good news is Valeri’s injury was to his ankle and shouldn’t keep him out long. Bad news is the loss put the Timbers in last place after the Rapids beat the Whitecaps. Another injury storyline on the day was Toronto FC coping with the loss of their target man Jozy Altidore. Unlike the Timbers the Toronto attack looked dangerous at times through Bradley in his new attacking role and Giovinco as he hit a wonder strike by in the 8^th minute. Despite conceding the majority of possession Toronto looks to be evolving to fix their injury issues, while Portland struggles to deal with Valeri’s absence.

Fantasy Standouts

• Michael Bradley ($10.2): Coming into the league Bradley’s fantasy price has always been too high for a box-to-box midfielder. However he may just have found his fantasy value if he continues in this attacking role with TFC. On top of his assist this week he had BPs on both sides of the ball.
• Giovinco ($11.7): For my money Giovinco isn’t earning his price as of late. However, with Altidore going down and Bradley moving into a more attacking role the scoring onus appears to have fallen on Giovinco. Depending on how he handles the pressure he’s a must have and one to watch and potentially someone you should restructure your team to make room for with the upcoming WC.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Portland Attack/Team: Without Valeri it’s been apparent that the Timbers struggle for consistency. Nagbe may show up for a game or someone else will fill his shoes temporarily, but week in and week out there’s always disappoint as the Timbers struggle to put the final product together on a consistent basis. Valeri’s injury will be one to monitor, because this team is not to be taken lightly with Valeri as their playmaker.

New England Revolution 1 vs. DC United 1

Highlights

Oh boy. Going to school in New England and having taken a liking to the Revs this one hurt. If the Revs keep all 11 guys on the field this turns into a shootout. With an 11-9 advantage and 63% possession DC United couldn’t put more than one shot on target. The attacking combination of Davies, Agudelo and Bunbury early on proved to be a handful for DC United, but lost steam as Agudelo had to make way for Kevin Alston after the straight red to Tierney. As for those of us who made the decision to captain Nguyen as a differential (me, myself and I) we were sorely disappointed. With all the talks of discontent with his contract Nguyen didn’t do himself any favors by throwing an elbow into another players head during a tackle and earning a red card in the 58^th minute. The outcome was a poor game in which the Revs couldn’t keep a tight enough ship and DC United couldn’t produce enough of an offensive spark.

Fantasy Standouts

• Charlie Davies/Juan Agudelo: These two priced at $8.9 and $8.7 respectively are essentially one in the same fantasy wise. There appeared to be a tell tale sign that Agudelo was preferred given he started both matches while Davies sat one, but it’s up for debate how much of that was due to fitness or not. Davies proved himself getting a goal in both games, while Agudelo was forced to leave the DC game early after grabbing a goal in the midweek game. Davies benefitted from Agudelo’s hard on target header against DC so it’s hard to say which one will outscore the other. Take your pick they’re both good.

Fantasy Letdowns

• London Woodberry ($4.7): Woodberry’s price drop was probably the worst part about grabbing him this week. He only managed 2 points through 2 games. To be fair the SKC game got out of hand and can’t fully be attributed to him and the game against DC wasn’t even close to his fault with the 2 red cards that were handed out, that’s on his teammates. However the inability to produce any BPs is worrying. The good thing is he’s cheap and someone you might as well store on the bench for switcharoo’s or a favorable matcup. The New England defense isn’t supposed to be this bad.

Montreal Impact 2 vs. FC Dallas 0

Highlights

Welcome back Montreal. They were the worst team last year, but are out to prove that jokes getting old. They went to town on RSL last week, but that didn’t prove anything given RSL’s poor run of form. This week they proved against an all around solid FC Dallas team, that they came to play. Andres Romero earned a penalty for Piatti early on, with Jack Mac putting away the game winner in the 50^th minute. While the Impact proved they came to play FC Dallas should’ve been able to tie this one up. FC Dallas doubled Montreal’s shots on goal and total shots, but were unable to break through for the entire game until Hedges was able to finally convert. Montreal’s making a case for a fantasy play and I’ll be taking a hard look come their DGW.

Fantasy Standouts

• Ignacio Piatti ($9.8): He’s a bit too expensive for me at this point, but he is the playmaker for the Impact. He put away the penalty this weekend and assisted on McInerney’s goal. The only blemish he has on his record is his missed PK the other week, but it obviously hasn’t stopped him so he’s a go for me.
• Andres Romero ($7.7): Romero is criminally under owned like Piatti at 0.3% ownership. He earned a penalty this weekend and looked dangerous. If you don’t want to pay for Piatti consider Romero a steal and a great differential.
• Matt Hedge ($9.3): He’s getting up into the Gonzalez price range, but has put up a 7 and 8 in the last two games. If he’s able to continue this trend, which I think he will, against the likes of Sporting Kansas City and San Jose over the next two weeks, he could be a good pick up. The cheaper Zimmerman is the poor man’s Zimmerman so look to him for similar numbers as well.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Fabian Castillo ($10.2): Over the last 3 games Castillo has put up 3, 3, and 3. For his price that’s just not good enough. It isn’t just Castillo either, Diaz has struggled to stay consistent as well. FC Dallas may be hitting their slump right now, but hopefully they can get out of it, because when Castillo is hot he’s a must have.

That’s the breakdown for the first half of Round 10. What do you think? Did any players jump out at you who you think deserve to be highlighted? Mention them in the comments below, or send me or Tyler a Tweet and let us know. Also, don’t forget to get involved with the get community her at MLS Fantasy Boss and over at /r/FantasyMLS.