Fantasy MLS 2015 Round 7 Review (Part 2)

Colorado Rapids 1 vs. Seattle Sounders 3

Highlights

YESSS!! Finally the Sounders offense has returned!…… Sorry I’m a Sounders fan, but seriously, for some reason people can’t wrap their heads around the idea of Lamar Neagle being a dangerous scoring option. With Dempsey, Martins and Neagle all on the field at the same time, the Rapids didn’t stand a chance. That’s not to say the Rapids didn’t play well, they did at times. Their offense finally looks to be potent via guys like Powers, but the Sounders had to take out their anger from recent poor performances and the Rapids just happened to be unlucky.

Fantasy Standouts

• Lamar Neagle ($8.6): Lamar is the cheapest viable option to get a piece of the action in the Sounders attack. With the well known threat of Martins and Dempsey, many defenses prepare their game plans for that potent threat, leaving Neagle the benefactor. This may not continue forever as Neagle begins to pose more of a threat, but he’s always going to get chances with his pace and from the clever play of Dempsey and Martins.
• Dillon Powers ($7.7): As the heart of the Rapids attack, Powers is dirt-cheap. Powers came close to scoring several times this weekend and with a DGW coming up I guarantee he gets on the score sheet. Outside of Powers it’s a crapshoot whether or not the other guys score besides maybe Gabi Torres. But even with him I could see him splitting time with Badji in the upcoming DGW depending on their

Fantasy Letdowns

• Sounders Defense: Yes they only allowed one goal, but Brad Evans still continues to show his lack of experience in a position that is all experience. I don’t trust the back line with clean sheets until Evans proves his ability to be consistent. Chad Marshall will continue to rack up defending bonus points, but at his price you need goals and clean sheets which he can’t guarantee right now.

Real Salt Lake 0 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 1

Highlights

The Pedro Morales-less Whitecaps proved they don’t need their Chilean creative midfielder to win games. The Javier Morales-less RSL proved they needed someone who can put the ball in the back of the net. Neither side had a multitude of chances do to solid defending for the most part on both sides, but Vancouver was able to put on of theirs away and that’s the difference. It’ll be easy to pin this game on the two red cards to RSL, but Saborio should’ve done better with his chances long before that, leaving them no excuse in my book for their performance.

Fantasy Standouts

• David Ousted ($5.5): Part of the reason RSL had so few chances on goal was because this guy nipped them at the bud. He was proactive in his box getting to the ball many times before the forwards had a chance. On a team that’s looking like a real play off contender with a stingy defense, Ousted’s prospects for fantasy look good.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Alvario Saborio ($9.4): He had chances and made an absolute mess of one of them. In a sport where some games you may only have 1 or 2 chances you have to better with the ones you get. RSL fans will be sad and hope for Jorales’ return, but they should also hope Saborio finds his scoring boots.
• Octavio Rivero ($8.8): I didn’t think he could keep up his insane scoring pace, but this is his second game in a row, in which he hasn’t gotten on the score sheet one way or another. Guys like Mattocks seem to be coming into their own. People better hope it’s just a temporary dry spell. Rivero did have some chances I think Saborio was just rubbing off on him too much this past game.

LA Galaxy 2 vs. Sporting Kansas City 1

Highlights

Gonzalezzzzzzz!!!! So many thought their fantasy week had hit rock bottom, when neither Gonzalez nor Villarreal were starting. Then Gonzalez came on in the closing minutes to do the unthinkable and score on a corner in stoppage time. Oh the joy many of us felt, myself included. That being said I’m still baffled how Villarreal was on the bench. I may have missed something, but Villarreal was an offensive spark that was sorely needed and he remained on the bench. The Galaxy should’ve done better against a struggling SKC defense that is still coping with the loss of Opara.

Fantasy Standouts

• There are no LA Galaxy standouts for this game. The Galaxy weren’t starting Robbie Keane or Gyasi Zardes completely illegitimating these results from an offensive perspective. With these two on the field the offense functions in a very different manner and in a different formation. Oh what could’ve been if Gonzalez played the whole game.
• Benny Feilhaber ($9.5): Benny is easily the most dangerous player Nemeth got on the score sheet, but the offense really looked uninspired and the defense is still trying to recover from the loss of Opara. He had really become a rock that neither Kevin Ellis nor Besler can compensate for.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Dom Dwyer ($10.4): If you’ve been clinging to the Dom Dwyer from last year, let go. He’s still got the potential, but make him earn it. Benny Feilhaber is cheaper and dominating fantasy right now.

Philadelphia Union 1 vs. New England Revolution 2

Highlights

The last two games of this DGW left many feeling betrayed by their fantasy pickups. If you picked up Maidana, then good for you, but for everyone else there was just utter disappoint as the Union couldn’t get it going against the Revs. They opened up the first half looking dangerous, but ultimately needing a free kick goal from Maidana to get on the board. Everyone was dismayed when they came out slow in the second half and let the Revs proceed to dominate them and hold %60 of the possession. The Revs were struggling to finish as well, but Teal Bunbury proved to be the spark they needed assisting on the tying goal and scoring the go ahead goal.

Fantasy Standouts

• Charlie Davies ($8.6): He may need to prove himself just a bit more, but he showed this weekend that he is terrifying to defend against and that he’s good at making space for others, which will almost certainly result in better service and more goals. If you’re feeling risky you could give Bunbury a look instead after he more than proved himself. He’s just less likely to be a guaranteed start.
• Cristian Maidana ($8.6): He came on midweek and caused problems for NYC and was the difference maker against the Revs. If goals are coming for the Union, this guys going to be involved. That being said the Union still don’t look convincing so you may be better off looking to other offenses unless you want the differential pick in Maidana.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Fernando Aristeguita ($7.6): coming into the week the main worry was if he’d be healthy enough to play both games, not if he would score. He was healthy, but didn’t score and what was more worrisome was the attacking output from the Union. If the Union are going to be content to go up 1-0 and then sit back in the second half like they did against the Revs I don’t see Aristeguita being that potent scorer for your fantasy team. He is cheap so if you need to keep him for financial reasons then do so, but don’t hold on to him too long if he doesn’t start producing again.

New York City FC 0 vs. Portland Timbers 1

Highlights

The injuries for New York were the main story for this game. No Hernandez, Villa or Diskerud. Those of you with Hernandez and Villa were probably very disappointed given 90% of the fantasy world captained one of those two. Nevertheless there were things to be excited about. Khiry Shelton coming off his first start after a nice assist and the potential for more of his mouthwatering play, and Nagbe appeared in the central creative role for the Timbers. The main surprise in this game was the score line, 1-0. On both sides of the ball there were a multitude of chances, which should’ve seen this game at score line of 2-2 or 3-3. The likes of unpolished finishing by guys like Mullins and Shelton kept the score at 0 for NYC and selfish and lackadaisical play by guys like Adi and Urruti kept Nagbe from having 5 assists on the night.

Fantasy Standouts

• Darlington Nagbe ($8.5): He’s gotta get going soon. Nagbe was so dangerous this weekend and should’ve had at least one assist if not two or three. He has guys who can finish. Nagbe may not be a prolific goal scorer, but he’s going to get assists by the dozens and his vision should start to open up scoring chances for himself. With Seattle and Vancouver up next though, maybe wait two weeks….
• Khiry Shelton ($5.5): For me Shelton could be in either the letdowns or standouts. He showed very well in the midweek game and started two consecutive games. If he keeps getting starts there’s no way he’s kept off the score sheet. His raw talent was present this weekend, but so was his unrefined finishing. I think he should be starting, but it’s hard to say what the future looks like for NYC, with Villa’s injury. If you have him I would definitely stash him on my bench and try to find a replacement starter in case it looks bad for his starting prospect.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Fanendo Adi ($9.3): Adi should’ve scored this weekend, it’s as simple as that… You could look at that as a positive thing with Nagbe heating up, but I would let Adi prove himself. His play was questionable this weekend and I don’t see him doing any better against Seattle or Vancouver’s defense in the coming weeks, so spend that money elsewhere.
• David Villa ($10.3): ……. My only solace this weekend was in the fact that everyone else captained either Villa or Hernandez along with me. There was so much potential. I thought we were guaranteed at least a goal if not more, and had he stayed healthy he probably would’ve scored against the Timbers given the chances that were created. However, that brings us to why he’s really a letdown, health. He’s already been seen struggling with his healthy so far this weekend. I don’t know if this is going to be a common trend, but the fact that I don’t know scares me. No one wants to have their top forward at risk of not starting or leaving games early, so I wouldn’t stress myself with Villa until he starts a couple and becomes the prolific goal scorer he has the potential to be.

That’s the breakdown for the first half of Round 7. 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.