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Houston Dynamo 3 vs. Montreal Impact 0
Highlights
The Dynamo finally found their scoring touch. It took long enough, but after a defensively shaky first 10 minutes the game opened up and the Dynamo began to dominate in a game that probably had a few more goals in it for the Dynamo.
Fantasy Standouts
- Dynamo Defense: They’ve been strong all year, they’ve just been waiting for the offense to release some pressure and it’s finally happened. Deric is a solid choice at keeper and anyone along the back line is a good pick with the way the defense is playing.
- Giles Barnes ($9.1): He’s listed as a midfielder, but played up top for the Dynamo, which I expect to stay the same. Barnes hit the crossbar once and just missed a cheeky chip, which would’ve added to his goal on the night. Going forward he looks to lead the attack.
- Brad Davis ($9.6): He’s on the more expensive side and it may be a bit too early to pick him up, but he did get a goal and an assist to go along with a defensive and offensive bonus point, so there’s a lot to like here. I say don’t pick him up just because I don’t like him, but if you like more rational based thinking then he’s definitely one to watch if not pick up.
Fantasy Letdowns
- Montreal: We’ll just give them a pass since they’re hopefully going to be the first team from MLS to win a CONCACAF Champions League Title. Once they get back from that we’ll worry about how they’re doing in MLS.
Sporting Kansas City 0 vs. Real Salt Lake 0
Highlights
The bummer here was the lack of goals with the likes of Javier Morales and Dom Dwyer on the field. The even bigger bummer was Ike Opara’s injury. Nothing has yet to come out while I’m writing this, but updates will definitely be the MLS reddit page. That aside SKC definitely looked the more dangerous of the two sides. Opara should’ve had an assist early on and was dangerous on set pieces. The service was also there from Feilhaber. Real Salt Lake looked desperate for ideas managing 4 total shots all game and all off target. This game was SKC’s to win and they couldn’t do it.
Fantasy Standouts
- Benny Feilhaber ($9.4): It’s clear that SKC’s offense flows through Feilhaber. He takes corner kicks, provides good crosses and is usually responsible for a goal or at least what should be a goal. The only thing he can do better is buy better forwards. He’s going to get bonus attacking and occasionally defending points going forward and should get some assists and goals as well.
- Sporting Kansas City Defense: The defense has looked solid as a unit and the fullbacks have looked to get forward often. Ike Opara is obviously the best option on this backline if he’s healthy. Let’s all cross our fingers and hope that’s the case. If not this could leave room for a guy like Palmer-Brown to try and grab the starting spot away from a guy like Kevin Ellis. If this happens keep an eye out, because EPB would be a great addition and would surely be getting some bonus points. Put that one on the back burner for now.
Fantasy Letdowns
- Ike Opara ($7.3): He was actually great this game, looking dangerous on set pieces and corners as well as providing a through ball for what should’ve been an assist if his teammates could score. However, his injury could prove costly for a lot of Fantasy teams and for SKC. He has a history with injuries, so let’s hope for the best for his sake and ours, but keep an eye out and don’t make transfers until his status is updated.
- Real Salt Lake: Defensively, they shouldn’t have gotten a shutout. Offensively, there was nothing. Javier Morales is usually a sure thing for some magic, but it just wasn’t there tonight. Hopefully they can bounce back before their DGW.
San Jose Earthquakes 1 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 0
Highlights
Wow the Caps are exciting to watch. We saw that in the midweek game, but didn’t get to see as much of it against the Quakes. The Quakes had the majority of possession and chances this game, however that was still rather poor. The first goal didn’t come until the Caps conceded a goal to Nyassi in the 74th minute. The Caps need to figure out what went wrong and how to the best out of Manneh, because he continues to be a nightmare to defend, but needs service and his finishing boots. On the flipside the Quakes need to work out how to configure their offense so they can score. Wondolowski in the midfield is not the best for their offense and they could really use the creative spark Thompson gives off the bench. The Quakes didn’t do enough to win me over, but the Caps certainly did enough to make me question if they can keep it together
Fantasy Standouts
- Kendall Waston ($8.7): He’s on the more expensive side for defenders, but he continues to be a rock in the back line and a consistent source of points. If you don’t like his price then Beitashour is nother good option who also gets into the attack, while getting bonus points.
Fantasy Letdowns
- Pedro Morales ($11.0): He needs to be a leader on the team and getting that red card was exactly the opposite. I don’t blame him for kicking the ball and trying to get a move on, but he lost his cool and could miss a game for it. That aside, he also didn’t play very well this game, but that can also be said for the entire Caps offense. If there’s anyone to keep an eye on it’s Manneh. Otherwise, keep an eye out to see if Porales’ red gets overturned, if not get him out before the midweek game.
- San Jose Earthquakes: Yes they won, but that means nothing in fantasy. Perez Garcia and Wondolowski didn’t score, the two most owned players on the Quakes. Since moving back to the midfield Wondo has scored 1 and 2 points the last two weeks. Without Wondo as the focal point the beneficiaries are hard to tell and with Jahn potentially out next week we don’t know what’s going to happen. On the flipside the defense has not exactly been coveted all season and I don’t think another shutout is in their near future so stay away from them as well. In general just avoid the Quakes until they can find some sort of identity or consistency with their players.
Portland Timbers 0 vs. Orlando City SC 2
Highlights
The Timbers disappoint while Orlando may have just found their forward in Cyle Larin. The Timbers found dangerous avenues early on through Nagbe, but were unable to finish. Meanwhile Kevin Molino began to fill the role that was expected of him and provide dangerous service up front. Molino played a perfect ball across goal for Larin to chest into the goal and get his first goal of his MLS career. The Timbers attack then came alive late in the game with Nagbe proving deadly on the counter, but the finishing boots weren’t there for Portland. After Kaka converts the PK , the Timbers were left with yet another disappointing result.
Fantasy Standouts
- Kevin Molino ($8.1): He’s finally here. After lighting up USL last year he struggled to really get off the ground this year. This game was an exception and looks to be his MLS coming out party. He was involved on both sides of the ball and got a perfect assists on Cyle Larin’s goal leaving him with 9 points on the day. There should be more of the same going forward as Orlando picks up momentum.
- Cyle Larin ($5.6): He might need one more game to prove himself, but if he locks down this starting spot he needs to be in your lineup. It’s hard to be against someone getting service from the likes of Kaka and Molino. If you have the transfer get him now and at least throw him on your bench, otherwise track him and see how he does next week.
- Darlington Nagbe ($8.5): He had an attacking and defending bonus this week, but should’ve also had an assist. Nagbe’s aggressive nature was the bigger story this weekend. He’s known for being shy on the ball and not taking the final shot or being selfish, but this weekend we saw him takings shots from the 18 which later set him up for good balls into the box. If Nagbe can continue this I think we will see him hit his stride soon.
Fantasy Letdowns
- Timbers Offense: I’ve been really high on the timbers offense and still am, but games like these make me question myself. It’s very possible next week Adi and Nagbe have killer games, getting a couple goals and assists, but it’s also very easy for them to go cold next week and score zero. This inconsistency is the problem with the Timbers attack. The pieces are there right now; it’s on the players to make it work. If you take a chance you could be rewarded, but you’ll probably regret it so keep tabs on these guys and Adi and Nagbe should start clicking soon enough.
LA Galaxy 1 vs. Seattle Sounders 0
Highlights
Ughhh. As a Sounders fan and a fan of MLS this is the type of stuff I hate. Keeping your players’ injuries hush hush so as not to give up any secrets going into the match. Apparently Keane didn’t practice all week and some how nobody knew! Dempsey’s is a bit more understandable, but still it’s upsetting to find out the day of as you are getting all giddy and ready to watch soccer. Not only did it hurt fantasy-wise, but quality-wise. The Sounders had a host of chances and dominated the majority of the game, but conceded an Alan Gordon header off of poor marking early in the game. Had Dempsey and Keane been there who knows what would’ve happened, but I have a feeling there’d be a goal or two at least for Dempsey and Oba. Alas, that didn’t happen, and we’re left with a goal-deprived game between two usually explosive teams.
Fantasy Standouts
- Alan Gordon ($7.6): If Keane really was out all week that could mean something more serious, so keep tabs on his injury. If he can’t go then Gordon is a great option to replace him. I’ve always been hesitant with Gordon, because he fills in, scores goals, and is an overall menace, but he only starts when Keane isn’t there, which usually isn’t for long. If Keane’s absence is longer give Gordon a look.
- Omar Gonzalez ($9.4): Omar is a stud. He’s incredible dangerous on set pieces and will either get a goal or an assist like he did this weekend, but he also racks up defensive bonus points without trying. The Galaxy defense hasn’t looked rock solid, but regardless of a shutout Gonzalez can provide a consistent influx of points.
Fantasy Letdowns
- Obafemi Martins ($11.3): He’s just had a bad run of form without his partner in crime, Deuce. The Sounders won’t get shutout twice in a row and are definitely goal hungry, but how well Oba does is dependent on Dempsey. If you’re expecting goals galore out of Martins right now, then this isn’t the right guy for you. The Sounders seem to have hit a little funk and are trying to get back in their groove. If Dempsey is back this weekend, go full steam ahead with either Oba or Dempsey.
- Keane and Dempsey: ….absent
That’s the breakdown for the first half of Round 6. 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.
