KFC’s MLS Fantasy Player Roundup – Week 35

 

Once again, this week’s games are going to start early so everyone needs to be sure to make their transfers before the October 16th deadline. I worked hard to get our picks out early this week to help with this.

The big X factor is when the WCQ players return, especially those who might play in the double game week. Some have left early but the only real advice I can give is to watch the injury reports. Fortunately, LA plays first and should post a roster before the deadline.

If you want to see more, keep reading after the break. But please join the discussion at r/FantasyMLS, that’s where a lot of planning is made and last second decisions finalized. If you have questions, please stop by!

Keepers:

There were 5 clean sheets last week, and unfortunately for many Seattle did not get any of them. With only two weeks left, and several players coming back from bye weeks, I hope that many people don’t need to use a transfer for a keeper. If you are, you might be getting Troy Perkins (16.7% @ $5.1m). Montreal has not had a clean sheet in 6 games and has averaged conceding almost 2 goals a game. There is also a good chance that LA will have both Gonzalez and Donovan back and Philly has one of the better away defenses this season. All of that combined with Montreal’s poor form makes me doubt their defense.

Two other highly owned keepers that look good this weekend are Tally Hall (14.7% @ $6.0m) and Jimmy Nielsen (10.6% @ $5.6m).  After a rough run, Tally Hall has only allowed 2 goals in the last 5 games and earned 3 clean sheets, but New York has one of the best away scoring records in the league, so it could be tough as the Red Bulls push for the Supporter’s Shield. Nielsen, on the other hand, is going against DC so he definitely has the easier game between these two.

For a differential pick, I think there are two good options. Sean Johnson (8.9% @ $4.9m) did get a call to join the USMNT camp, but he should be back for the game against Toronto who has the second wort away scoring record in the league. The other is Zac MacMath (7.5% @ $5.3m). MacMath has bad several clean sheets over the past several weeks, and with Montreal’s falling form, another one could happen this week.

Defenders:

While LA may be without their number one starting keeper this week, they did get Omar Gonzalez (22.4% @ $6.2m) back early from the USMNT and there is a chance he could go all 180 min this week, but Sean Franklin (9.3% @ $5.3m) should also play 180 min and he has had good numbers over the past few weeks and no injury concerns. The LA double home games makes their defense very attractive this week, so price may be what you want to look at most.

Chicago has not had a lot of luck with clean sheets recently, but Toronto have not been successful at scoring on the road. This makes Austin Berry a good option for a solid defensive option, but I Think Jalil Anibaba’s (1.7% @ $4.6m) recent attacking form makes him a good choice against Toronto.

If you dropped Rodney Wallace during the WCQ, then you may want to consider Pa-Modou Kah (0.6% @ $4.6m) as a replacement for him. His bonus point generation is huge and with Portland being in the Supporter’s cup race, this game against RSL will be huge.

Since these last two picks are differentials, I don’t see a point in point out any more. With the decreasing number of clean sheets, having only a 3 man back line could payoff this week.

Midfielders:

With news of Landon Donovan being released early from the USMNT, there is a good chance that he will play in both of LA’s games this week. If LA are without Keane, he’ll become one of their main attacking targets and will be an excellent player to have this week, as many do. Other top owned players such as Mike Magee, Brad Davis, and Graham Zusi, are also good choices, but should score less than Donovan’s potential double game.

If you are looking for other players to round out your team, and perhaps replace your Seattle players, there are some good options for the rest of the season. Will Johnson (10.2% @ $8.0m) is again one of my top picks this week. He did not score last week but was still abel to earn3 attacking bonus points. He’s home to RSL this week then away at Chivas so he could last you the rest of the season easily.

Last week, Wondo was the one who got the winning goal for San Jose, but Shea Salinas (1.0% @ $7.6m) stole the fantasy show with his assist and bonus point generation earning 11 points! He’s been on good form lately and with the importance of these next two games, similar numbers are possible.

The final player I want to mention is Lee Nguyen (3.8% @ $7.8m). Over the past 4 games he’s earned 2 goals and 1 assist and the last time NE played Columbus they won 2-0. I overlooked the card that Nguyen received in his last game. That does put him on yellow suspension for the first Columbus game, so you may want to hold off a week on getting him if you are tempted. Rowe would be the next option, and may get more involved in the action this week. Columbus is out of the running for the playoff, but New England can still make it, but they need to win, and Nguyen will be important for that.

Forwards:

The big question for forwards this week is will Keane and Higuain be fit to play? OK, maybe that is just one of the questions, the other is ow well will Marco Di Vaio play? There is not much to say about this right now. If Keane and Higuain play, they are the top two picks for this week and Di Vaio almost has to be factored in because of the double game week. If you do not feel good about them then there are two other forwards that I like.

It’s hard to ignore Camilo Sanvezzo (14.7% @ $8.9m) who has racked up the goals and assists over the past few weeks. Vancouver’s last two games are both against Colorado, and they have a good defense that will challenge the Vancouver offense. The other choice is Diego Fagundez (18.4% @ $7.1m). Like Vancouver, New England plays Columbus two times. Last time, Fagundez scored against Columbus, and he has been on good form recently. HE has a low price and seems to be a solid bet if you are unsure about some of the big guns this week.

Final thoughts

• What happened to the Montreal from the start of the season?

• Keep an eye on the injury reports for some of the big name players.

These are our picks, if you think there should be more names on this list, please leave a comment or come to r/FantasyMLS and comment on the post. You can also leave a message on our Facebook page or you can find us on Twitter @FantasyMLSTips. Keep checking back for more updates through the week for other positions. Good Luck!