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Fantasy MLS: Week 4

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Photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

The international break has come and gone, and most teams should be at full strength for this upcoming weekend of Major League Soccer action.

Javier Morales, Chris Wondolowski and Stefan Frei were among those that made the break tolerable for some with their standout performances last week.

As for some new names who emerged on the fantasy radar during the break, look no further than Javier Martina, who notched a brace in his Toronto FC debut, and RSL's Paulo Jr., who showed he was the real deal and can be counted on in the event of an Alvaro Saborio or Fabian Espindola absence.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

BYE WEEK

The Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake are off this week. Alter your lineup accordingly.

FANTASY-FRIENDLY MATCHUPS

Columbus Crew vs. FC Dallas

The Crew has been able to manage one goal — on a penalty kick — in games at D.C. and at home against a New York Red Bulls team that was without six(!) starters.

FC Dallas hasn't exactly been a source of offensive fireworks yet, and winning on the road is no easy feat in MLS; however, FCD has to be considered the favorite in this matchup. Look for David Ferreira to get going, Fabian Castillo to build off his debut, Zach Loyd to keep contributing out of the back and Kevin Hartman to have a relatively simple day in goal. The results haven't been there yet for Dallas, but this week presents a solid opportunity.

Colorado Rapids vs. D.C. United

There's no doubt that D.C. is a much-improved team, but with Perry Kitchen on U.S. U-20 duty and Dejan Jakovic suspended in the aftermath of his red card against New England, United has a gaping hole at central defense against a team capable of taking advantage of such a weakness. Conor Casey and Omar Cummings have to be liking their chances to beat Pat Onstad this weekend.

As for the Rapids' defense, it's been stout against Portland and Chivas, but D.C.'s Charlie Davies and Andy Najar-led attack presents a tougher test. Proceed with caution with the likes of Drew Moor, Marvell Wynne and Anthony Wallace. A bit of a goalfest isn't out of the question.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Sporting Kansas City

The expansion Whitecaps have had turned in some admirable performances to start their inaugural season in MLS, but the odds are stacked against them at home. DP striker Eric Hassli is unavailable after being red carded against Philadelphia; starting centerback Jay DeMerit may not play after picking up a groin injury with the U.S. national team; and playmaker Davide Chiumiento is questionable with a hamstring injury.

SKC doesn't have its DP striker available either after Omar Bravo saw red against Chicago, but Kei Kamara, Teal Bunbury and rookie C.J. Sapong are all ready to roll. Kansas City has scored five goals in its first two matches, and it wouldn't surprise to see that tally grow by at least a couple more this weekend. 

INJURY WATCH

Thierry Henry is expected to return to the starting lineup for New York…Fredy Montero had wrist surgery and is questionable for this weekend's game at San Jose. According to the Seattle Times, he wouldn't miss more than one game…Omar Gonzalez is listed as probable and should make his season debut for Los Angeles against Philadelphia…For other injury news, check out the most updated MLS injury report.

SBI League Standings (Top 10)
1. Los Diabolitos………………….67 points
2. Dwizzles…………………………..66
3. SlumDog………………………….65
4. FC LC Reds……………………..62
T5. Hrycaldo………………………….59
T5. Go Galaxy……………………….59
T7. 425 Vikings…………………….56
T7. ChicagoFire8………………….56
T7. 30 Kilsyth B SC………………56
10. PeroPeroPerovic……………55

LAST WEEK'S SBI LEAGUE TOP SCORERS

Chomsky and Too Strong Jones (39 points)

————————-Busch(8)———————-
–Borchers(4)———Opara(0)———Pearce(0)–
–Pappa(8)–Zakuani(4)–Shea(0)–Ferreira(-3)–
—Wondolowski(10)—Bunbury(5)—Saborio(0)—

Coach: Kreis(3)

McBride's My Hero (39 points)

—————————Thornton(0)———————–
–Olave(4)————-Berhalter(0)———–Rochat(-1)–
–Morales(12)–Pappa(8)–De Rosario(5)–Donovan(0)–
–Wondolowski(10)———Angel(1)——-Montero(0)—

Coach: Fraser(0)

SBI Prediction League Standings (Top 10)
1. pogon1966…………………………..54 points
T2. SPARTAK SD………………………47
T2. A1 Steaksauce……………………47
T2. DC Redeem Team……………..47
T2. RBA OneTwelve………………….47
6. fantasy football withdrawal…..46
7. HANDtoBALLS……………………..45
T8. Yankee Racers…………………..43
T8. MLS Cup or Bust………………..43
T10. Ravens Victoria………………..42
T10. The Shermanators…………..42
T10. Rapidsfan………………………..42

LAST WEEK'S SBI PREDICTION LEAGUE TOP SCORER

FC Dover (31 points: 2 exact, 3 correct margin, 1 tie)

———————–

Who are you turning to with RSL and Chicago off this week? What's your lineup looking like? Who do you think is in for the best fantasy week?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Martina started in Vancouver, wasn’t his debut. Home debut would work. The fact you didn’t notice him in Van tells you everything you need to know about how bad he was that day!

    Reply
  2. Enviable results, for sure, but please be mindful of the first rule of MFLS, which limits each manager to only one team. If you have two teams, you are in violation and may have one team deleted.

    Reply
  3. I like that BoonBooRee this week. Canada fans will love to boo him every time he scores! Vancouver is in the same boat that KC was in last week, missing a lot of regulars. KC should keep right on scoring by the boatload.

    Reply
  4. Both my teams (Go Galaxy and MLS Cup or Bust) are in the top ten to start the season strong. Can anyone else make that claim?

    Reply

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