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Fantasy MLS: Week 3

Juan Pablo Angel (ISIphotos.com)

By AVI CREDITOR

For a game in which so much is determined by team success, who would have thought that New York Red Bulls players would be hot Fantasy MLS commodities?

Yet a couple of weeks into the season, that's exactly the situation in which we find ourselves. New York hasn't allowed a goal thus far en route to a 2-0-0 start to the 2010 campaign. What's even more impressive is the competition the Red Bulls have been able to keep quiet: Chicago and Seattle.

Their opponent this week? A struggling Chivas USA side that hasn't scored yet, despite both games being played at the Home Depot Center.

Add it all up, and it figures to be another fantasy friendly week for a New York team that couldn't find the words "road" and "win" in a dictionary just a season ago.

Here are this week's player rankings by position:

FANTASY MLS WEEK 3 PLAYER RANKINGS

GOALKEEPERS

  1. Bouna Coundoul, NY – Style points don't factor into Fantasy MLS. Two shutouts, plus a game against a struggling offensive side, means money in the bank for Coundoul
  2. Preston Burpo, NE – Did nice Matt Reis impression vs. D.C.; Gets Toronto F.C. in home opener
  3. Donovan Ricketts, LA – A Brian Ching-less Dynamo makes for an easier day for Ricketts, even though Galaxy are on the road
  4. Andrew Dykstra, CHI – Home opener comes against a team that lacks firepower in San Jose
  5. Troy Perkins, DC – Has a game this early against an expansion team ever been deemed a must-win before? Perkins and United defense can't be as poor as they've shown so far
  6. Will Hesmer, CLB – Not the best matchup (at Dallas), but Crew defense is tough to break down
  7. Chris Seitz, PHI – First home game in Union history comes against Mid-Atlantic rival that has yet to score
  8. Jimmy Nielsen, KC – Will be tested much more by Rapids than he was by United in opener, but KC looks like second-most improved team behind NY
  9. Nick Rimando, RSL – Could have two clean sheets if not for Jamison Olave's penalty-area aggressiveness. Seattle matchup is tough, but Rio Tinto is where the MLS Cup holders shine brightest
  10. Kasey Keller, SEA – It's difficult to fathom benching Keller if you own him, but on the road against an efficient Salt Lake attack isn't the most ideal circumstance for any keeper in MLS 

DEFENDERS

  1. Tim Ream, NY – Rookie centerback deserves plenty of credit for team's hot start
  2. Mike Petke, NY – Grossly inexpensive pairing of Petke and Ream has shut down opposing attack; Roy Miller makes for a good play this week as well
  3. Wilman Conde, CHI – A stud if fit, and indications are that he is (scroll down to the end); Has excellent home matchup against Earthquakes
  4. Cory Gibbs, NE – Revs new centerback anchors stellar defensive unit
  5. Omar Gonzalez, LA – Gonzalez/Leonardo vs. Landin/Oduro: Advantage Galaxy
  6. Chad Marshall, CLB – The Columbus Dispatch reports that the gifted centerback is probable for Saturday's game at Dallas. He's a must start if fit, so check the injury report prior to the MFLS roster deadline (hour before first kick of the week).
  7. Sean Franklin, LA – Galaxy defense has been rock-solid through two matches; Leonardo is a viable play this week too
  8. Chris Tierney, NE – Has been lining up at left midfield, has great matchup, is inexpensive and assisted on Kenny Mansally's first goal last week
  9. Dejan Jakovic, DC – Once-proud United matched up with right club at right time
  10. Geoff Cameron, HOU – Must assume bigger offensive role with Ching out; Not ranked this high because of Dynamo's matchup

MIDFIELDERS

  1. Javier Morales, RSL – Three goals in two matches; top threat to finish from midfield
  2. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, CLB – Argentine maestro should be able to thread Dallas D
  3. Joel Lindpere, NY – One of offseason's top finds and a big reason for NY success
  4. Ryan Smith, KC – Newcomer adds flash, threat to Wizards' attack
  5. Shalrie Joseph, NE – Expected to make season debut against Toronto
  6. Davy Arnaud, KC – Wizards will test newly assembled Rapids back line
  7. Eddie Gaven, CLB – Crew winger should get chances to go at suspect Hoops defense
  8. Robbie Rogers, CLB – Likewise
  9. Steve Zakuani, SEA – Sounders need, and can get, better play from Akron product
  10. Juninho, LA – Can ride the coattails of Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan to a decent +/- while he settles in
  11. Marco Pappa, CHI – Perfect time, matchup for Guatemalan to raise level of play
  12. Dane Richards, NY – Speedster can wreak havoc on wings against Chivas defense
  13. Brad Davis, HOU – At least we know who'll be taking Dynamo's PKs
  14. Roger Torres, PHI – Youngster showed glimpses of brilliance against Sounders in opener
  15. Dwayne De Rosario, TOR – If Joseph is rusty in his return, De Rosario and Julian de Guzman could take advantage

FORWARDS

  1. Edson Buddle, LA – In top form among strikers with three goals in two games
  2. Juan Pablo Angel, NY – Surprising that Red Bulls have succeeded without Angel scoring; expect that to change vs. Chivas
  3. Landon Donovan, LA – Buddle's emergence opens things up for playmaker extraordinaire; Already has three assists for Galaxy
  4. Mac Kandji, NY – Tally against Sounders displayed keen nose for goal
  5. Collins John, CHI – Opened MLS account last week; matches up well with shaky Quakes D
  6. Brian McBride, CHI – McBride-Opara matchup will be interesting; expect the veteran to come out on top this time
  7. Kei Kamara, KC – Potential breakout year is off to great start after goal in Week 1
  8. Omar Cummings, COL – Conrad & Co. present toughest test yet for star Rapids striker
  9. Fredy Montero, SEA – Will have hands full with physical RSL centerbacks, but is a must-play every week
  10. Chris Pontius, DC – Should get fair share of chances against expansion Union as he did against Revs last week. Can he finish them this time around?

COACHES

  1. Hans Backe, NY
  2. Steve Nicol, NE
  3. Carlos de los Cobos, CHI
  4. Robert Warzycha, CLB
  5. Bruce Arena, LA
  6. Peter Vermes, KC
  7. Curt Onalfo, DC
  8. Jason Kreis, RSL
  9. Sigi Schmid, SEA
  10. Peter Nowak, PHI

Soccer By Ives League Standings (Top 10)
1. BuckyBalls FC…………………..80 points
1. BestofNW………………………….80
3. Zambezi Highlanders………..78
3. Lyn……………………………………..78
3. FC Byrd Turgler………………….78
6. Cpt. Pancakes and Lt…………77
7. ooooo MLS…………………………76
7. Vols FC………………………………76
7. FK Bosnia…………………………..76
10. West New York FC……………75

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Which (if any) Red Bulls players do you have in your lineup? Who do you think will turn in the week's best performance? Adding Kenny Mansally after his outburst against D.C.?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Ives’ NYRB love fest continues…

    (SBI-Us recommending players from an unbeaten and unscored upon team against a winless and scoreless team is a “love fest”? Come up for some air Sam.

    Reply
  2. a little off subject – The Union FO just moved the Barra Brava from above the SOBS to the opposite side of the stadium….still upper deck. The Barra Brava will be escorted into the stadium with their own traveling security from DC. All barra Brava tickets are sold out as is the bus space. Tickets for other traveling United supporters remain and as of today well over 1200 black and red fans will be in Philly

    Reply
  3. Rankings are primarily who I think will score the most points based on the week’s schedule, and that’s only because of how MFLS is structured. The point system heavily favors teams that win. Good players on terrible teams are penalized because of the +/-, and good players on teams that win but mostly by 1-0, 2-1 scores are in the same boat. It’s all about finding the goalies who come up with clean sheets and field players who score/assist and win by multiple goals.

    So to address sread’s Ljungberg question: Seattle at RSL is not a good matchup for the Sounders. Is Ljungberg one of the league’s top midfielders? Of course. But fantasy-wise, he doesn’t have a favorable outlook this week.

    Reply
  4. Anyone found a reliable place to check for injuries each week? It looks like mlssoccer.com wont be providing that ifo anymore.

    Reply
  5. Then I’ve got to throw Leonardo in the mix. He’s cheap, but I can’t add him because of the foreign player limitation. Usually you don’t want to waste those slots on defenders.

    Reply
  6. Haven’t the Red Bulls started off this way before? Anyway, could you indicate what your rankings are based on? Best to play this weekend, overall points, your opinion? I just can’t tell. I enjoyed last year’s format, too (play 3, sit 3).

    Reply

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