Top Stories

Fantasy MLS: Week 18

BREK

By ALAN LEDBETTER

Everyone had their doubts about FC Dallas after its star midfielder, David Ferreira, was injured early in the season. After another impressive win, FCD is proving to be the hottest team in MLS. Brek Shea has proved to be the spark in the offense that has replaced Ferreira as he has scored in four straight MLS games.

Another team that has found their form recently is Sporting Kansas City, which is unbeaten in its previous eight games. Surprisingly, much of the offensive firepower has not come from Teal Bunbury or Kei Kamara, but from rookie C.J. Sapong. Kamara and Bunbury have combined for three fantasy points over SKC’s unbeaten streak, while Sapong has recorded 19 points singlehandedly.

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

MULTIPLE GAMES

New York, Toronto, Kansas City, Colorado, Vancouver, Chivas USA, and San Jose all play twice this week. New York has two very favorable home matchups (vs. TOR, vs. DC) and should be able to take advantage of them as its team is returning to full strength.

Kansas City also has two home games this week and 11 of its next 12 games are also at home. It would be smart to load up on Kansas City players as they have looked strong as of late.

BYE WEEK

New England is off this week. Be sure to alter your lineup accordingly.

FANTASY MLS WEEK 18 BEST XI

GK – Jimmy Nielsen, SKC – Nielsen will enjoy playing with a home crowd at Livestrong Park behind him for much of the coming months. He would be a good pick up at this time, especially with two home games this week.

D – Tim Ream, NY – Will almost always put in a consistent 90 minutes for New York. Look for him to lead the New York defense to at least one shutout in its two home games this week (barring too many goalkeeper mistakes).

D – Geoff Cameron, HOU – Midfielder listed as a defender in MFLS. He should be able to contribute to the attack and get shutout points vs. a Toronto team that has been very weak this year.

D – Drew Moor, COL – Moor has been a threat on set pieces throughout the year and has two chances to add to his two goals on the season this week.

M – Joel Lindpere, NY – With two goals last week, Lindpere showed that his worth yet again. He has two home games this week and should be able to add to his four goals and three assists on the season.

M – Brek Shea, DAL – His matchup (Real Salt Lake) isn’t that great this week, but Shea has scored in his last four games and he is just too hot to sit right now.

M – Graham Zusi, SKC – Sporting Kansas City has great matchups going forward and this midfielder has been very hot ever since he broke the starting lineup. He should be able to rack up big fantasy stats going forward.

M – Landon Donovan, LA – He has eight goals and one assist on the season. Wasn’t able to create anything vs. Seattle last week, but should be able to find his pre-Gold Cup form with a home game vs. Chicago.

F – Chris Wondolowski, SJE – Wondolowski is one of the best finishers in MLS and with two games this week, he should be able to get on the score sheet at least once.

F – Thierry Henry, NY – See Lindpere: Is an essential part of the New York attack and has very favorable matchups this week.

F – C.J. Sapong, SKC – It seems like Sporting Kansas City has more forwards than any team in the league, but Sapong has proved he is the most valuable as of late.

INJURY WATCH

David Beckham was limited with his back injury last week and is listed as ‘questionable’ in this week’s injury report. I would trade him out for Donovan or another star midfielder. Omar Gonzalez was subbed out early with an injury in LA’s game on Monday and is questionable to return this week. Luke Rodgers is set to make his return to the New York line up this week after being out for the past few weeks. 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 18 is Wednesday at 7 p.m. Be sure to change your lineups by then.

SBI League Standings (Top 10)
1. La Flama Blanca………………376 points
2. Berkeley Chargers……………366
3. ChicagoFire8……………………360
4. McGruber FC…………………….350
5. Catfish FC………………………..346
6. The Fighting Heydudes…….345
7. Xaviniesta…………………………344
8. Hungate XI………………………..343
9. Joga Bonito……………………….341
10. I <3 MLS…………………………..340

LAST WEEK'S SBI LEAGUE TOP SCORERS

Short Shorts aka Hugs for Hall (33 points)

———————–Hartman(9)———————-
—-Franklin(2)——Borchers(-2)—–Cameron(2)–
–Najar(7)–Lindpere-(8)–Joseph(3)–Donovan(-2)–
—Espindola(5)——–Montero(0)———Ruiz(4)—

Coach: Arena(1)

TSV AC CD Generic FC SC (33 points)

————————-Pickens(5)———————-
—-Dunivant(2)———Ream(0)———Wingert(0)–
–Johnson(4)–Lindpere-(8)–Le Toux(3)–Donovan(-2)–
—Saborio(4)——Wondolowski(0)——-Sapong(8)—

Coach: Kreis(1)

SBI Prediction League Standings (Top 10)
1. 4evr Orange……………………………338 points
2. HANDtoBALLS………………………..327
3. I <3 MLS………………………………….319
4. Lancergolfer87……………………….318
5. Los Diabolitos…………………………310
6. Cheeky BackHeel……………………304
7. TSV AC CD Generic FC…………..299
8. Sage Runners 2011………………..296
9. Winning!………………………………….294
10. STL Orange…………………………..290

LAST WEEK'S SBI PREDICTION LEAGUE TOP SCORER

ToonFire Army (24 points: 2 exact, 3 tie)

———————–

Which teams have the best matchup this week? Who is in for the biggest fantasy week? Which players are you going to pick up?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. QUESTIONABLE: MF David Beckham (back spasms); DF Frankie Hejduk (R ankle inflammation); DF Omar Gonzalez (L hip pointer); DF A.J. DeLaGarza (head/face trauma)

    Reply

Leave a Comment