By ALAN LEDBETTER
This past fantasy week was filled with star players coming back strong from nagging injuries, and others getting injuries that will keep them out for quite a long time.
Thierry Henry proved all doubters wrong again this week by scoring two goals and notching an assist in an away game vs. D.C. United. This was his second straight week of putting up big fantasy stats after a lackluster beginning of the season. Also, Landon Donovan returned from his injury with a stellar game vs. Portland, showing his 2010 form for the first time this year.
Long-term injuries to Steve Zakuani and David Ferreira are a major concern to many fantasy teams. There are still many great options in the midfield to replace these playmakers, and I will help you pick out the top replacements for them for this week.
Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:
FANTASY-FRIENDLY MATCHUPS
New York Red Bulls vs. Sporting Kansas City
New York seems to have found its scoring touch as of late. All the while Kansas City has struggled defensively, allowing 12 goals in just five games.
Henry looks to be a man on a mission. He has quickly become the hottest player in MFLS. I would look to play him and any other New York player this week, as they are set up for a high-scoring blowout. But be sure to be aware of the Juan Agudelo situation. He scored this past week, but spending a large number of minutes on the bench makes him a less-valuable fantasy play. Joel Lindpere, Dwayne De Rosario, and Dane Richards are all great replacements for your recently injured midfielders.
Seattle Sounders vs. Toronto FC
Seattle is coming off a big win on the road vs. Colorado, but it came with a huge cost. The Sounders will be without Zakuani, their spark in the midfield, for quite a while and will have to find some offensive power to replace him. Mauro Rosales and Alvaro Fernandez will be looked upon to step into this role, and I expect them to stand out this week. Toronto’s road form has never been too outstanding, and the Reds will likely struggle at Qwest Field.
Fredy Montero ended his scoring drought this past weekend, and he will have a great opportunity to continue his scoring ways this week. Seattle’s defense is also a good play. Look to get shutout points from veteran Kasey Keller and his defensive unit.
Philadelphia Union vs. San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose is coming off a very disappointing home loss to Chivas USA that has many people questioning if the team's success last year was a fluke. Philadelphia was on a bye week this past week, but has proven it is much better than it was during its first year in the league.
It wouldn't surprise to see Philadelphia walk away from this game with a 1-0 win, which it has done on a number of occasions already this year. I look for Sebastian Le Toux and Carlos Ruiz to be very good plays this week. Philadephia’s defense also has a good chance of getting shutout points, as I think its much-improved back line will be able to contain Chris Wondolowski from getting good looks at goal.
INJURY WATCH
Zakuani and Ferreira are both out with long term injuries. Be sure to find viable replacements in the midfield for these players…Conor Casey has yet to return from a hamstring strain he picked up; Omar Cummings continues to be the safer play of the two…Jimmy Conrad and Jay Demerit both have nagging injuries that have led to them missing playing time. Be sure to check for their status in the injury report before feeling confident playing them. For other injury news, check out the most updated MLS injury report. Also, don’t forget to check out the latest disciplinary report for players serving suspensions.
The deadline for Week 7 is Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Be sure to change your lineups by then.
SBI League Standings (Top 10)
1. Waterbury FC………………………..149 points
2. Disc Golf for Dynamo……………148
T3. Hungate XI…………………………..144
T3. NERDFACE…………………………144
5. Hrycaldo………………………………..143
6. ArsenBulls…………………………….138
7. HANDtoBALLS………………………137
8. Poor Marking…………………………136
9. Syracuse Salty Dog……………….134
T10. NYRB4LIFE……………………….133
T10. ChicagoFire8…………………….133
LAST WEEK'S SBI LEAGUE TOP SCORERS
Mecra (53 points)
————————-Cannon(0)———————-
–Ream(6)———–Pearce(5)———–Rochat(4)–
–De Rosario(4)–Avila–(5)–Lindpere(8)–Najar(0)–
——–Henry(14)——Kamara(5)—–Castillo(-1)—–
Coach: Hyndman(3)
Sharks OSC (53 points)
————————-Coundoul(9)———————-
—-DeLeGarza(5)——Boswell(5)———-Conrad(0)–
–Shea(1)–Zakuani–(0)–Le Toux(0)–Donovan(12)–
——Henry(14)——–Montero(4)——–Mwanga(0)—
Coach: Arena(3)
SBI Prediction League Standings (Top 10)
1. Driscoll’s Boys………………………….124 points
2. Sharpness FC…………………………..117
3. Bogdanov FK…………………………….112
T4. My Ching-A-Ling………………………111
T4. Missoula Strikers Mad Dogs……111
T6. Pogon1966……………………………..110
T6. Winning!…………………………………..110
8. HANDtoBALLS…………………………..109
9. 4evr Oranage……………………………..108
T10. Old Metro Stars………………………107
T10. XC Cottage Revolution……………107
LAST WEEK'S SBI PREDICTION LEAGUE TOP SCORER
FC Holiday (29 points: 2 exact, 1 correct margin, 2 blowout, 1 tie)
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Who are you thinking about picking up to replace your injured stars? Which player do you think is in for the biggest week? What is your roster looking like?
Share your thoughts below.