Fantasy MLS 2015 Round 5 Review (Part 2)

Vancouver Whitecaps 2 vs. LA Galaxy 0

Highlights

Vancouver continues to impress everyone in MLS. If you’re a neutral fan they’re a good team to start liking. Their attacking options were on display through the likes of Manneh, Rivero and Morales. The LA Galaxy on the other hand looked like a completely different team than the reigning champions. The presence of Villarreal was missed on set pieces and delivery into the box. However, the gap in quality from the usual Galaxy team was rather unexplainable. Having just returned two top-notch attacking options in Zardes and Keane, the Galaxy had no answers for the Whitecaps defense. The goals came by way of Rivero and Manneh, both having excellent games.

Fantasy Standouts

• Vancouver Whitecaps Offense: Seriously, with a DGW coming up take your pick of the Caps’ offensive and defensive options. Pedro Morales ($11.3), Rivero ($8.8) and Manneh ($7.1) are all viable options and look to at least score or assist in one of those DGW games.
• Vancouver Whitecaps Defense: The team is in form and just kept one of the most potent attacks in MLS off the board. It really just depends on your budget, regardless having one of the Caps’ defenders on your team is a good idea.

Fantasy Letdowns

• LA Galaxy: This wasn’t the LA Galaxy. The Whitecaps played very well, but the Galaxy also never made it to the match. The Galaxy had just one shot on goal all night. Even if that one chance were converted, it still would’ve been a poor showing for the Galaxy. Stay tuned to see if they can pull themselves together next week against the Sounders or if they will continue to dip in form.

Portland Timbers 3 vs. FC Dallas 1

Highlights

The Portland Timbers finally beat an unbeaten, offensive minded FC Dallas team. The Timbers have looked dangerous so far this year, but have been unable to close out games. Despite scoring 6 goals they’ve conceded 5, leaving more to be desired out of the defense. While the defense still conceded a goal in this game members of the defense were responsible for a goal and an assist alluding to the attack oriented mindset of this Timbers team. Despite sharing the majority of possession and chances Dallas was unable to do much with it. They were without Mauro Diaz and Perez came off the bench, so one can make a case that this is just a fluke, but the players like Asprilla, Nagbe and Adi showcased the Timbers offensive potential in this game.

Fantasy Standouts

• Fanendo Adi ($9.3): The Timbers are scoring goals and the man most likely to be involved is this guy. Adi came away with an assist and an attacking bonus from this weekend’s game. He can score from the run of play and set pieces, making him the Timbers largest goal threat and nuisance in the box. It doesn’t hurt that he benefits from the distribution of Nagbe. He will continue to be involved in the goals as long as the Timbers stay in form.
• Darlington Nagbe ($8.5): Nagbe and Adi have the same value. Nagbe is just cheaper and fits the need of a midfielder. If you want to get in on the Timbers attack and have a crowded forward pool, go for Nagbe over Adi.
• Jorge Villafana ($6.3): Villafana is cheap and regardless of clean sheets can score for your fantasy team. This week he came away with an assist and an attacking bonus to total 6 points. Imagine if the Timbers defense can completely lock it down! On top of that he’s likely to take several corner kicks and free kicks throughout the game. If you want cheap, are bummed that Sjoberg is out, and aren’t sold on Opare, look no further.

Fantasy Letdowns

• FC Dallas Defense: This week may have been a fluke, but 3 goals is still 3 goals. If you’re lucky and had Atiba Harris, you were able to salvage something from your defenders. Overall Hedges and Lloyd were able to get some bonus points, but couldn’t couple it with a clean sheet. Despite the poor performance against Portland, you should still hold on to your Dallas defenders. With the Colorado Rapids up next week, Dallas should be able to earn a shutout. They face Colorado twice and the Dynamo once in the next 4 matches. Those are two teams that have a hard time scoring.
• Fabian Castillo ($9.8): Castillo is possibly the most exciting player to watch in all of MLS. However, he can dribble by 20 people and making an almost perfect pass and receive no bonus points like he did this weekend. On those days his $9.8 price tag might not be worth it especially with a DGW coming up. If you need space for Pedro Morales and have the wiggle room, Castillo might be one to drop short term.

San Jose Earthquakes 0 vs. Real Salt Lake 1

Highlights

This game started off with neither keeper being involved in the first half and both sides forcing each other into a stalemate. Javier Morales would then do Javier Morales things and score just before the half on an outrageous finish. San Jose would soon learn that Wondolowski should probably play up top, because Adam Jahn couldn’t finish anything in the second half, despite having an array of chances. Real Salt Lake’s defense held up strong otherwise and we got to see the first start of exciting young Real Salt Lake prospect Jordan Allen.

Fantasy Standouts

• Javier Morales ($11.1): 2 goals and 3 assists after 4 games is a solid start to the fantasy season. He’s shown even when not many chances are coming RSL’s way he can make it happen and looks to be at the heart of any chances that come RSL’s way.
• Jordan Allen ($5.0): Before you go run and pick up Jordan Allen or call me crazy, hear me out. Jordan Allen started and would be a great cheap pick up if he gets more chances to start. His start this week only came off of an opportunity due to another player’s unavailability. That being said it’s a long season and there’s bound to be more absences that warrant Allen getting the nod. The reason you need to have him if he does, is that he’s one of the rare cases of a player listed as a defender who actually plays as a forward! He got 6 points this week without scoring a goal! As a forward! That’s all I have to say. Just keep an eye on him.
• Jamison Olave ($8.3): He continues to make plays and get bonus points on a solid RSL backline. Up next is a SKC team that scored entirely on set pieces, which RSL should be much better at defending with Schuler and Olave.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Wondolowski ($10.7): Wondo is too inconsistent on a Quakes team that has shown flashes of potential, but not much else. If he continues to drop back into the midfield role he played this weekend, drop him. Drop him anyways there’re better options.
• San Jose Earthquakes Defense: Playing an incredibly in form Whitecaps next week and Red Bulls the next week, don’t take your chances with the Quakes’ defense. They haven’t given any reason to be trusted with your fantasy life this season and will let you down if you take a chance.

Sporting Kansas City 3 vs. Philadelphia Union 2

Highlights

Wow. That’s all there is to say after this one. SKC came back to win with two goals in stoppage time. I just feel bad for the Union right now. That being said SKC dominated possession 60% to 30% and had much more pressure going forward, despite the Union’s few dangerous chances. Because the Union had so little pressure going forward Opara wasn’t his usual beast of a defender, since he was hardly needed.

Fantasy Standouts

• Benny Feilhaber ($9.4): Benny was phenomenal in this game as the heart of SKC’s attack. He was involved on two of the 3 goals via set pieces. SKC looks to be dangerous on set pieces for the rest of the year so Benny would be a great pick up. Not only that but he added on 3 attacking bonus points and 1 defense to go along with his 2 assists. That’s 12 points without scoring a goal. Benny is the only person I would take from SKC’s offense right now.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Philadelphia Union: Their defense was not good. That’s all you need to know about their defense, so don’t pick them up. Their offense, however, was a mixed bag. Aristeguieta continues to find a way to score, despite not playing well. He scored the only real goal, but then went on to make a mess of a counter attack he could’ve done better with. To go off that thought, his teammates also were miserable at helping him finish that chance. The Union only scored one goal this game, which doesn’t warrant in my book a look for fantasy options. This is unfortunate given the DGW coming up, but I still suggest waiting and seeing how they do next week and only go with one or two guys from there.

That’s the breakdown for the first half of Round 5. 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.