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Colorado Rapids 1 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 0
Highlights
Phew that was close. The Rapids almost had a second straight game called due to storm warnings and lightning. However all that was signaling was the Rapids first home win in something like 302 days. That’s surprising giving the number of shutouts the Rapids put up in the beginning weeks of the 2015 season. The Rapids also got to show off their shiny new toys, Luis Solignac and Kevin Doyle. These guys combined with Powers showed some real promise and got me excited for the future. The Whitecaps saw how impenetrable the Rapids defense already is the only thing that was missing was some firepower. The weeks to come could see a rising Rapids team, while the Whitecaps look like they’re cooling off after some sub par performances.
Fantasy Standouts
- Clint Irwin ($5.2): If Irwin played last week he could’ve been the top goalkeeper. Frei’s recently made a case for must have GK, but Irwin takes the cake in my opinion. His backline has been solid all year with big guys Sjoberg and Moor anchoring the backline as well as reliable outside backs. He’ll be my starting GK for their upcoming DGW.
- Dillon Powers ($8.0): He assisted on the goal and showed the promise to come with new attacking members. It’s only a matter of time before the chemistry locks and the Powers hype is real.
Fantasy Letdowns
- Pedro Morales ($11.4): He started on the bench but game in to score the almost game winning goal off of a nuts free kick. It’s obvious the Whitecaps are better with him on the field so we’ll see if anything changes going forward.
- Octavio Rivero ($8.9): It may have been the lack of quality service from Morales due to him being on the bench, but Rivero felt invisible for most parts of the game not because he didn’t have any chances, but because he couldn’t put any on target.
Sporting Kansas City 0 vs. Seattle Sounders 0
Highlights
The injury riddled SKC played the Sounders to a 0-0 draw. SKC sat back and weathered the storm after a late change to the starting lineup left SKC with even less offensive firepower. Dempsey was unable to breakthrough the middle without his usual partner in crime, Oba Martins, and the game played out to a rather dull draw.
Fantasy Standouts
- Stefan Frei ($5.8): Frei currently sits atop all goalkeepers in fantasy and his back four has kept it tidy as of late. Colorado may have not found their offensive form when they come to town and two home games for the Sounders are hard to bet against for their upcoming DGW.
- Sounders Defense: Take your pick of the litter. All of them are putting up similar scores lately; it’s more open to your budget. Remick is going to be the cheapest option, but guys like Evans and Marshall are more likely to give you BPs.
- Benny Feilhaber ($9.9): Benny absolutely lit it up midweek and managed a decent 5 points against the Sounders despite not having Dom Dwyer and without anyone else to lighten the offensive load.
Fantasy Letdowns
- Sounders Offense: Without Martins the Sounders were helpless trying to break down a resolute SKC side. If Martins is out much longer it could start to limit Dempsey’s potential as well given how much they feed off of each other during games. In addition the fact that no one else was able to step up in Martins’ absence is worrisome for the upcoming DGW.
- Dom Dwyer ($10.7): Dwyer had a great midweek game, but was a late scratch to the roster on Saturday. Keep an eye on his injury. It’d be a bummer if he got injured just as he got going. If he stays out Nemeth could be a good replacement, but if it’s just precautionary don’t go overboard with Nemeth yet, even with his massive midweek performance.
Real Salt Lake 2 vs. New York City FC 0
Highlights
NYCFC is in a very sorry place right now. I almost feel bad and hope a team here and there start giving them free wins, just so Villa and company don’t get so depressed they quit MLS. RSL were coming off a 4-1 loss to the worst team in MLS last year and needed a win to boost their spirits. NYCFC gave them exactly that. Despite being even in possession, NYCFC only managed one shot on goal the entire game and allowed 6. They can’t even blame it on a revitalized Javier Morales because the goals came before his substitute appearance. Things are looking up for RSL right now if Jorales can avoid in Valeri type injuries. RSL may be back on the fantasy market, but NYCFC is a big no go for me.
Fantasy Standouts
- Jamison Olave ($8.2): Olave’s overall numbers look great and this game he showed his ability to get up on set pieces and contribute to the attack. When RSL is in form Olave can put up Gonzalez-like numbers so keep an eye on RSL’s performances.
Fantasy Letdowns
- Real Salt Lake Offense: While Saborio did well to get on the scoreboard, the impact Morales’ return will have is yet to be determined and leaves me with a bad feeling about their DGW. Sure they scored this week, but against an offensively poor NYCFC team. I need to see more out of RSL’s offense before I give em my attention.
- NYCFC…
New York Red Bulls 0 vs. Philadelphia Union 2
Highlights
So while everyone last week was telling you that it was necessary to keep Bradley Wright-Phillips one more week because they were facing the Union this week, I said don’t get too excited the Union aren’t going to roll over. Turns out I was right, not that I’m trying to toot my own horn or anything. That being said the Red Bulls did dominate possession with 66% and had 15 shots to the Union’s 7, but the only stat that mattered in the end was shots on goal, which was even at 3 a piece. When you lose 2-0 possession stats don’t matter and the Red Bulls need to fix this. Prior to this loss they looked like one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference.
Fantasy Standouts
- Cristian Maidana ($8.7): Maidana was at the heart of the attack with Nogueira this weekend, but appeared to take on more of the playmaking role than Nogueira. He assisted and was putting guys into space, which could be good for his fantasy value going forward. However, 34% possession isn’t good no matter which way you look at it so wait a week and consider Maidana a differential for the DGW.
Fantasy Letdowns
- Bradley Wright-Phillips ($11.3): He did show he can get attacking BPs in this game however when you take six shots and put only one on frame, something is wrong.
- Red Bulls Defense: The injury situation for the Red Bulls is pretty horrible. Zubar is still out, Perrinelle has an apparent hamstring injury and Miazga is at the U20 World Cup. Missing most of their defense doesn’t give me a good reason to bet on them even if they looked like a good team before. The Union showed this may be a bad turning point for the Red Bulls.
San Jose Earthquakes 1 vs. Orlando City SC 1
Highlights
This game was a tale of two PKs with the big name players from both sides converting for their respective teams. Apart from the PKs the game was slow and relatively even. Possession was about the same even with Orlando playing the latter stages of the game down a man. Orlando only managed 3 shots on target to San Jose’s 4. The game didn’t really pick up until Brek Shea was sent off in the 51st minute with both sides opening up the second half the same way the first half left off. Orlando will be bummed they gave up a 1-0 lead with only 10 men but will be happy they at least held on to the draw.
Fantasy Standouts
- Kaka ($11.6): Kaka didn’t look incredibly convincing early on, but helped Orlando play as if they had 11 men after going down one early in the second half. In addition he slotted the PK in the back of the net with ease. If they can play the way they started to play late into the second half, but with 11 men Kaka is a threat to do some real damage, but only if you’re ok with breaking the bank.
- Chris Wondolowski ($11.1): I hate to say it, but the guy has been in good form and congratulations on his 100th goal. He confidently put away the PK to bring the Quakes even, and then Kinnear made a tactical change to push Wondo further up the field late into the game in order to push for the go ahead goal. The Quakes know that Wondo is their best scoring threat so even when he’s lined up in the midfield he’ll be involved in the attack as if he was a forward.
Fantasy Letdowns
- Brek Shea ($7.5): Good news is Brek Shea’s red card wasn’t exactly from Shea’s lack of maturity, however he was becoming an exciting prospect and soon enough will be going off to the Gold Cup, most likely, making him a less enticing pick up. More good news though is that if he starts to perform, the red card really bumped down his price for us.
- David Bingham ($5.2): Bingham has been having a pretty stellar rookie season, but his one problem is his decision making. Regardless of if he can make the superstar save and keep the Quakes in the game, he can’t come out of his box and take out Larin like that. There’s not much reason in that situation, considering you already have a man marking him and he’s heading the ball away from goal. However, that’s something he can work on so hopefully he does.
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 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.
