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By CASEY CANNON

Hello and Welcome to the Soccer by Ives Fantasy Corner – now fully approved by the Seattle Chapter of American Outlaws! Every week I dig through statistics, news, and rumors to provide the reader with the kind of fantasy advice that only an unemployed local capo can provide.

Is anyone else sick of the total lack of injury transparency? In the last few weeks we have had late notice for Thierry Henry, Alvaro Saborio and Camilo Sanvezzo. In Henry’s case he didn’t even get on the plane to Columbus yet wasn’t acknowledged as out anywhere I’m aware of until 45 minutes before game time.

To some extent I’m okay with fantasy owners who do research or follow the right people on Twitter having an advantage. Doing work should be rewarded. Then again I don’t think I should have to hire Magnum PI to stake out airports and hotels to give me accurate updates. The dearth of reliable injury information makes the game less fun. Hopefully the league can make a positive change.

In other news last week The fantasy team $$HERP_DERP_MERP$$ scored a league high 128 points. MeanwhileEternalBluForeverGrn maintained the SBI top spot by earning 109points. Last week I earned 89 points with ten players but still fell to 89th. This week we are on the cusp of international call ups and another double week. Keep reading for tips and suggestions to set you team up for success.

TEAM PICKS

Take Three – Los Angles Galaxy – Before I take any player movement into account my spreadsheet says that San Jose has about a 9% chance to win. LA has a 50% shot at a shutout and is expected to score two goals. Then consider that Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez is out.

Take three – New York Red Bulls – Coming home after an embarrassing loss the Red Bulls have much to prove. Fortunately they welcome DC United to New York. The Red Bulls need to contain Silva . If they do that expect a shutout.

Avoid – San Jose Earthquakes – As I wrote above I don’t think the Earthquakes have any chance of beating the Galaxy in the Stub Hub Center. For those who want hope, perhaps a spurned Chris Wondolowski sets out to prove he belongs on the U.S. Men’s National Team and scores a brace. Personally I don’t see it.

Individual picks

Vice Captain – Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy – 21% of the
League owns him but his 8.3 PPG and great matchup against San Jose makes this a great selection. Then he flies off the land of wombats and box jellies for a couple games, so be ready to readjust your team.

Caparoo Bench Player – Mike Magee , Chicago Fire – I never thought this guy could carry a team but when I watch him play with the Fire I see he is clearly the leader. He is healthy and quietly earned nine points last week. The Fire should score at least one goal and I expect Sneaky Magee to be involved.

Pick up Now – Bryan de la Fuente , Chivas USA – The guy has been in the league for two weeks and plays for Chivas USA. So he is a total unknown with a tiny sample size. But he makes 5.5 PPG, costs only 6 mil and has a double game week coming up. As an added bonus only .1% of the league own this guy. For those who want to go gaga for Goats pick up Erick Torres.

THREE-PLAYER MONTE

The three player Monte game has two elements selecting: three players to score goals and creating a streak of picking a captain who scores every week. The players can be awful, tossed out of the game for reprehensible fouls, and single handedly responsible for costing his team the game but like absurd back heel flicks for a goal all that matters is that singular moment of brilliance.

Captain: Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
2. Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls
3. Mike Magee, Chicago Fire

Tiebreak: 24

That’s all for today. I’ll be back next week with more Fantasy advice.