MLS Fantasy Review Round 20 (Part 1)

Chicago Fire 0 vs. Columbus Crew 1

Highlights

The Fire fielded an interesting lineup with many fantasy owners happy to see Doody get the start at outside back. Meanwhile Shipp was expected to be the playmaker with Accam on the bench and Maloney not back yet. The disparity in lineups between the Crew and Fire was apparent though. The Crew fielded a proven attack with league leader in goals, Kamara, and lead leading in assists, Finlay. The result would see the only goal of the game be a Kamara goal from a Finlay assist. The takeaway was the Fire attack will be atrocious until the likes of Accam return, as we saw when he subbed on.

Fantasy Standouts/Letdowns

• Kamara and Finlay showed why they’re so widely owned. Fire showed why you should never trust them for your fantasy team.

Los Angeles Galaxy 5 vs. San Jose Earthquakes 2

Highlights

Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane. I hate to say it, but even as a Sounders fan I got excited to watch this game and after watching it, I don’t plan on missing another one. Gerrard played so well and felt so great he shunned Bruce Arena so he could stay and play longer. Robbie Keane managed a hat trick, albeit it on 2 PKs, and Lletget got a well deserved late goal after having a man of the match performance. Everything is clicking for the Galaxy. Meanwhile everything seemed to be clicking for San Jose, as Amarikwa bagged his first brace back with the Earthquakes that saw them up 2-0. That was until the Galaxy scored their 5 unanswered goals. The Quakes have some problems to work out and the Galaxy has me giddy at the prospect of watching them every week.

Fantasy Standouts

• Robbie Keane ($11.6): He scored a hat trick and is now benefiting from a world class midfielder behind him, not to mention the emergence of Lletget as an attacking option who can provide good service.
• Steven Gerrard ($10.2): Goal and assist in his first game. Towards the end he also hopped on set pieces and made a difference. Safe to say he’s going to be in an attacking role and I don’t see him slowing down.
• Sebastien Lletget ($6.6): great value at $6.6 and was unlucky not to have a goal early on. He’s staying on my team, especially with how exciting the Galaxy are looking.
• Quincy Amarikwa ($7.0): The Earthquakes seem to have found a more consistent scoring option finally. Whether or not Amarikwa can maintain consistency is another issue, so it may be worth waiting one more week.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Matias Perez-Garcia ($8.6): With the emergence of attacking option Amarikwa one would think MPG would benefit, but he was largely left out of the action. One would have to wonder.
• San Jose Defense: There had been speculation about Goodson or the rest of the defense, maybe even Bingham being a good option, but after you left up 5 goals I can’t remotely justify selecting any players.

Los Angeles Galaxy 5 vs. San Jose Earthquakes 2

Highlights

Sebastian Giovinco is taking no prisoners as he unleashes absolutely lethal form in MLS. He helped lead his team to another commanding victory and is easily in the lead for MVP in my book. The Union’s hopes were smothered in the 60th minute when Ayuk thought he had the goal to bring it even, but was called offsides. Basically what we take away from this is Giovinco is unstoppable and the return of Altidore may free up more space for Giovinco to work with. The only thing they’ll be kicking themselves over is that Conor Casey stoppage time goal that prevented a clean sheet.

Fantasy Standouts

• Sebastian Giovinco ($12.6): I don’t need to give a reason. As Altidore returns and soon Bradley, TFC is a force to be reckoned with.
• Eriq Zavaleta ($5.6): He only had 3 points, but was seconds away from a clean sheet. He has potential to score and is cheap. Toronto defense looked strong and has an upcoming DGW in GW 23 so it may not heard to pick him up now if you need a cheaper option on defense.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Cristian Maidana ($9.2): Coming off of a streak of great form and a 14 point week Maidana only put up 2 as the Union offense was brought to a halt. They only managed 6 shots total and only 2 making it on goal. That spells trouble, but for his price and potential output it may not be time to give up on him just yet.

New England Revolution 1 vs. New York City FC 0

Highlights

David Villa’s streak of good form came to an end as the Revs got a badly needed win. The Revs are a team full of a wealth of talent, but have been struggling to get results. That stopped this week as the defense kept David Villa to 0 shots and the offense looked exciting again with a fantastic team goal that Nguyen put away. Villa may not be held like that again, but it’s encouraging play for the Revs who were dropping quick and whose defense was struggling to find chemistry.

Fantasy Standouts

• Lee Nguyen ($11.0): I have to preface this by saying picking up Nguyen is a huge risk. This is solely for his price tag, however, if he is indeed finding his 2014 form, then he could be a huge pickup at only $11.0. The fact that he had 4 shots, 2 on goal, makes me think he just might be finding that form. The rest of the attack is still hard to figure out, because at any given time Agudelo and Rowe could come off the bench and replace, Bunbury, Davies or Fagundez. Until there’s more consistency with the rest of the offense I can’t endorse anyone.
• New England Revolution Defense: The defense held NYCFC a few shots on goal and more importantly kept David Villa to 0 shots all game. Woodberry could be a legitimate option again!

Fantasy Letdowns

• David Villa ($11.0): His price has jumped throughout the season and this game could just be a fluke in his recent run of form, but when a striker has 0 shots on goal it’s worrisome. Orlando looks like an attractive opponent next week, but I’m personally bailing on the Villa bandwagon, because I think NYCFC needs more time to gel especially with Lampard and Pirlo incoming.

Orlando City 0 vs. New York Red Bulls 2

Highlights

If you haven’t seen Sacha Klejstan’s stunner by now, stop reading this and go watch it, because Sacha had an absolute rip. However, I have to say the Cyle Larin red card was just sad. There wasn’t intent in it and he looked to be pulling his leg back. He also didn’t even go into him. Regardless, the Red Bulls should’ve done better given they were up a man for 2/3 of the game, and the Orlando was unlucky not to convert one of their chances. The only bright spot fantasy-wise for the Red Bulls was the re-emergence of Dax McCarty.

Fantasy Standouts

• Dax McCarty ($8.4): Coming off of a 6 point week, McCarty put up 12 points this week and looks to be emerging as a more central figure on both offense and defense for the Red Bulls. He assisted on both goals and was active on offense and defense earning 3 bps total. Since he’s in the more affordable price range he may be worth a look as a more consistent performer.
• Matt Miazga ($5.8): The other bright spot of this game was Miazga and the fact that the Red Bulls were able to keep a clean sheet after going up a man. It’s so easy to get relaxed and let one in, but Miazga led the line to a clean sheet and has been doing pretty well in fantasy too.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Cyle Larin ($5.8): Regardless of if that challenge was a red card or not, Larin has to be more careful. The worst thing you can do is put your team in a hole like that. Good news for fantasy owners is that if you didn’t have him his price dropped! So if you’re thinking about getting him it may be a good time.
• Bradley Wright-Phillips ($11.3): BWP was relatively quiet this game and allowed the midfield to take over the scoring duties. The Red Bulls are looking good so I can’t imagine this lasts for long, but I think there are hotter forward options right now.

Montreal Impact 1 vs. Sporting Kansas City 2

Highlights

All the big boys got on the board in this one. Benny started it off and then spread the love with an assist to Dwyer. Ignacio Piatti wasn’t content with the situation and added his own mark, but the Impact didn’t have it in them. Despite massively out possessing SKC, the Impact could only manage 2 shots on goal. SKC only managed 4, but this was much more effective given the amount of possession they enjoyed. Basically SKC still looks strong even when being played off the ball and with two rookie outside backs, while the Impact need some help reigniting the attack.

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 showed it this weekend by bringing the Impact back into the game. Right now he just needs a bit more help from the rest of the Impact, which may just come if they end up signing Drogba.
• Benny Feilhaber ($10.4): Benny was being Benny getting a goal and assist and some bps on the side. You honestly can’t go wrong with Benny, but then again he’s the safe pick and that’s what everyone is doing so it won’t do much to help you gain on the rest of the fantasy owners.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Laurent Ciman ($7.7): too expensive and not consistent like he used to be. Drop him that’s my advice. You’re probably better off grabbing up Toia or Oyongo if you want to stay involved in the Impact defense.

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 (tbartels12) or Reid (@mlsfantasyboss) a Tweet and let us know. Also, don’t forget to get involved with the chat community here at MLS Fantasy Boss and over at /r/FantasyMLS.