Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

 

By AVI CREDITOR

Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan owners, this is where things get a little tricky.

The Los Angeles Galaxy stars rank first and third, respectively, in overall fantasy points (Galaxy keeper Donovan Ricketts is No. 2), but both have been summoned by Bob Bradley to national team camp, and both could be out of Major League Soccer action for the foreseeable future.

Buddle and Donovan should get one final hurrah Saturday night at home against Toronto, but fantasy managers who have relied on them for the bulk of their points will be scrambling for back-up options, especially considering Donovan could be transferred from MLS after the World Cup.

The World Cup scheduling conflict will test the depth of your fantasy team, but non-national-team players of all countries will step up to fill the scoring void while the world's attention shifts to those heading to South Africa.

Here are this week's player rankings by position:

FANTASY MLS WEEK 8 PLAYER RANKINGS

GOALKEEPERS

1. Donovan Ricketts, LA – Galaxy's second-most-valuable Donovan, for now, has six clean sheets in eight matches and a great home matchup against Toronto
2. Matt Pickens, COL – Always have to like a keeper's chances when facing D.C. United
3. Will Hesmer, CLB – Crew's odds at home are strong even against a much improved Chivas attack
4. Nick Rimando, RSL – MLS Cup holders are on a roll at Rio Tinto, and Houston's attack is way too inconsistent
5. Kevin Hartman, DAL – Reclaimed starting job and did well vs. D.C.; Union play more inspired at home, but Hoops D should be up to task
6. Joe Cannon, SJ – Undermanned New England provides nice matchup for overachieving San Jose
7. Jimmy Nielsen, KC – A return to the narrow KC pitch should help the Wizards regain form against Chicago
8. Bouna Coundoul, NY – Can Red Bulls kick Sounders while they're down? Coundoul's already come up big against Seattle this season
9. Preston Burpo, NE – Revs grasping for air; It'll be on Burpo to stop Quakes' hot streak
10. Kasey Keller, SEA – Quick fall from grace for all-time great; Due for a rebound performance, but Red Bull Arena might not be the site

DEFENDERS

1. Omar Gonzalez, LA – National team is in stud CB's future; Continued MLS domination is now
2. Todd Dunivant, LA – Reaping the benefits of being part of six clean sheets
3. Marvel Wynne, COL – United's striker tandem of Adam Cristman, Danny Allsopp have found a rhythm, but Rapids' defense should be able to handle them
4. Frankie Hejduk, CLB – Can channel any World Cup-exclusion disappointment into a solid home effort against the Goats
5. Jamison Olave, RSL – Now if he can only stay away from those penalty-area fouls against the Dynamo this time around…
6. Robbie Russell, RSL – …then Salt Lake could put together a nice defensive effort against an up-and-down attacking side
7. Heath Pearce, DAL – USMNT call-up should put an extra jump in his step in matchup with Philly
8. Ike Opara, SJ – Rookie already scored against Revs earlier this season, and Gillette Stadium hasn't proved to be a fortress this season for New England
9. Steven Beitashour, SJ – Another nice find for the Quakes in the 2010 draft; Revs attack isn't a well-oiled machine without Shalrie Joseph to tie it all together 
10. Jimmy Conrad, KC – Nothing like some home cooking to get back on track, though handling Chicago won't be easy

MIDFIELDERS

1. Javier Morales, RSL – He's back, he's healthy and he's playing at home, where RSL is at its best
2. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, CLB – Midfield maestro meets beatable Chivas defense
3. Dwayne De Rosario, TOR – He keeps racking up the points so it's hard to bench Reds' captain, but this week provides a tough test as Galaxy tries to build point-cushion before losing major personnel
4. Chris Wondolowski, SJ – Make that goals in four straight games for surprise offensive threat
5. Bobby Convey, SJ – His resurgence on the left wing has made the Earthquakes a tough squad to beat
6. Kyle Beckerman, RSL – Hard-working midfielder has been much more threatening with Morales in the lineup
7. Michael Stephens, LA – Rookie is giving Bruce Arena reason to ease up about losing Donovan to USMNT
8. Eddie Gaven, CLB – Opened his season account last week against NE, should have the opportunity to put some chances away at home against Chivas
9. Dax McCarty, DAL – Hoops showing signs of life with consecutive victories…
10. David Ferreira, DAL – …and midfield service to Cunningham will continue to be a critical part of any team success
11. Joel Lindpere, NY – Steady midfield force will be at center of any success Red Bulls have against Sounders
12. Steve Zakuani, SEA – If you're a fan of trends, Zakuani has alternated positive and negative fantasy-point outputs every week so far; Next up in the sequence would be another on the right side of 0
13. Ryan Smith, KC – Speedster needs a bounce-back performance to recapture early season magic
14. Mehdi Ballouchy, COL – Rapids midfield should have a large advantage against United
15. Brad Davis, HOU – Worth noting that the last time Houston faced Salt Lake, Davis tucked home two PKs

FORWARDS

1. Landon Donovan, LA – A strong home farewell is in the cards, just like during his loan stint at Everton
2. Edson Buddle, LA – No better way to enter USMNT camp than with another goal (or two) against a so-so Toronto defense
3. Omar Cummings, COL – A matchup nightmare for United's defense
4. Conor Casey, COL – With pressure of World Cup roster selection behind him, Casey can focus on continuing a strong domestic career
5. Jeff Cunningham, DAL – Could last week's goal be the start of another trademark hot streak? Matchup with Union means more chances for Hoops leader
6. Kei Kamara, KC – A return home means good things on the horizon for Kamara, the Wizards' most explosive option up top
7. Alvaro Saborio, RSL – Robbie Findley may be headed to national team camp, but Saborio is the real scoring threat at the top of Real's formation 
8. Juan Pablo Angel, NY – Run of good form halted against San Jose, but home pitch should be kind against a Sounders defense that was torched in Seattle by Galaxy last week
9. Fredy Montero, SEA – Other half of Colombian forward matchup hasn't brought the same consistent explosiveness as he showed in 2009, but Sounders need his skill
10. Ryan Johnson, SJ – He's not scoring many goals (1), but the assist numbers are there (4)

COACHES

1. Bruce Arena, LA
2. Gary Smith, COL
3. Jason Kreis, RSL
4. Robert Warzycha, CLB
5. Schellas Hyndman, DAL
6. Frank Yallop, SJ
7. Peter Vermes, KC
8. Hans Backe, NY
9. Sigi Schmid, SEA
10. Carlos de los Cobos, CHI

Soccer By Ives League Standings (Top 10)
1. Voyageur Express………………………….247 points
2. Rainbow Chickens………………………..244
3. The Woolly Mammoths………………….242
4. DCShooter…………………………………….241
5. Cpt. Pancakes and Lt. Waffles………239
6. Miles Davis FC………………………………236
7. Lyn…………………………………………………234
8. Artichokers…………………………………….233
8. Chubby United………………………………233
10. MLS United………………………………….231

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Who will you turn to with national-team duties claiming some of the more high-scoring MFLS players? What's your lineup looking like this week?

Share your thoughts below.