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Fantasy MLS: Week 9

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By AVI CREDITOR

It's not just a number of World Cup hopefuls in Princeton that won't be partaking in Major League Soccer action this week.

In addition to the nine players called in for national team duty, Chicago and Colorado rescheduled their match for Week 12 and Philadelphia is on a scheduled bye week, leaving the talent pool a bit watered down, although you probably weren't starting many Union players anyway.

Who should you keep an eye on? For starters, the undefeated Columbus Crew have two road matches, and the Houston Dynamo welcome troubled D.C. United to Robertson Stadium. And just because Los Angeles lost its scoring punch doesn't mean its top-ranked defense is going to suffer.

Here are this week's player rankings by position:

FANTASY MLS WEEK 9 PLAYER RANKINGS

GOALKEEPERS

  1. Pat Onstad, HOU – D.C. United: The Cure for Opposing Defenses
  2. Josh Saunders/Donovan Ricketts, LA – Ricketts is listed as questionable, but Saunders proved to be just as capable in his stead; Check the final injury report before making your selection
  3. Will Hesmer, CLB – Two matches this week for dependable Crew keeper
  4. Kasey Keller, SEA – Bounced back to shut out New York last week, Quakes at Qwest are managable
  5. Nick Rimando, RSL – Not at home, but faces a Chivas attack that will be sans Sacha Kljestan
  6. Stefan Frei, TOR – Comes off top-notch performance with home matchup against goal-starved Revs
  7. Kevin Hartman, DAL – Hoops catch Galaxy at the right time – in Frisco and without its two main threats
  8. Joe Cannon, SJ – Cannon, Quakes' D has three straight shutouts but will be tested by Sounders
  9. Bouna Coundoul, NY – No Schelotto, no Rogers makes an easier, but not easy, match for Red Bulls' keeper
  10. Jimmy Nielsen, KC – Wizards play better at home, though matchup with Crew isn't great

DEFENDERS

  1. Mike Chabala, HOU – Fantastic home matchup with United comes at great time for banged up squad
  2. Bobby Boswell, HOU – It's all about the matchups; Only four goals in eight games for United
  3. Adrian Serioux, HOU – Not saying that D.C. CAN'T score, just saying that its track record dictates some orange in your fantasy squad this week
  4. Todd Dunivant, LA – League's stingiest unit will need to maintain high level in order for Galaxy to keep winning
  5. Omar Gonzalez, LA – Same fantasy production as Dunivant, except he's a bit more of a card risk (three yellows so far)
  6. Frankie Hejduk, CLB – Will anchor Crew defense with Chad Marshall vying for a World Cup spot
  7. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, SEA – Sounders defense has been spotty of late, but took a step toward figuring things out last week
  8. Jamison Olave, RSL – Imposing centerback is fourth-leading MFLS scorer among defenders
  9. Nana Attakora, TOR – After shutting down LA on the road last week, Revs at BMO Field should be an easier task
  10. Ugo Ihemelu, DAL – Galaxy-lite visit Pizza Hut Park making life a bit easier for Hoops defenders

MIDFIELDERS

  1. Brad Davis, HOU – Rock in Dynamo midfield has best matchup of the week
  2. Dwayne De Rosario, TOR – Reds' captain enjoying a fine season and should enjoy his fine home matchup with Revolution
  3. Javier Morales, RSL – Top-scoring MFLS midfielder despite missing three matches; Has three assists in last two games
  4. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, CLB – Though his team has two matches, he'll only be playing in one after being suspended a game by the league
  5. Eddie Gaven, CLB – Should assume more offensive responsibility with Robbie Rogers currently in Princeton and Schelotto out for one match.
  6. Brian Mullan, HOU – Even if he doesn't score, Houston should be able to come up with a multiple-goal home victory against troubled D.C., so his +/- will help you 
  7. Steve Zakuani, SEA – Most dependable of Sounders' midfield options 
  8. Michael Stephens, LA – Rookie must become a bigger playmaker for Galaxy to maintain top form
  9. Kyle Beckerman, RSL – Should thrive against the Kljestan-less Goats
  10. Joel Lindpere, NY – Should be able to create against a Crew midfield without Schelotto and Rogers
  11. Bobby Convey, SJ – His ability to set up teammates has spurned San Jose resurgence; Five assists so far for left winger
  12. Corey Ashe, HOU – Speed has killed D.C. defense, and Ashe brings plenty of that to the table
  13. Julian de Guzman, TOR – Finally showing signs that he may live up to DP-potential, but health a concern
  14. Ryan Smith, KC – Takes to the narrow KC pitch against a Crew side playing its second match in four days
  15. Chris Wondolowski, SJ – Four-game goal streak ended, but you've got to love the production for his low cost

FORWARDS

  1. Alvaro Saborio, RSL – Real shouldn't miss a beat with Robbie Findley at USMNT camp, and the Costa Rican finisher is the reason
  2. Kei Kamara, KC – Breakout season is in full effect, and he's at his best at home, where he's scored four of his five goals
  3. Fredy Montero, SEA – Did benching light a fire under the prolific striker? Late free kick against Red Bulls would suggest, "Yes"
  4. Dominic Oduro, HOU – Should be able to cause some problems for D.C.'s weary back line
  5. Steven Lenhart, CLB – Will have his opportunities to finish in two road games against solid, but beatable, defenses
  6. Chad Barrett, TOR – A sneaky play if you've got him, because Toronto's attack thrives at home, and New England is hardly at 100 percent
  7. Zack Schilawski, NE – Came up with a hat trick the last time he played the Reds, though Toronto's defense just shut down Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan
  8. Juan Pablo Angel, NY – Not the best matchup against unbeaten Crew, but it's hard to sit Angel at home 
  9. Jeff Cunningham, DAL – Not a good matchup with stout Galaxy defense, but his play is steadily improving
  10. Mike Magee, LA – Who will step up for LA with the star tandem in Princeton? All signs point to Magee

COACHES

  1. Robert Warzycha, CLB
  2. Dom Kinnear, HOU
  3. Bruce Arena, LA
  4. Jason Kreis, RSL
  5. Sigi Schmid, SEA
  6. Preki, TOR
  7. Steve Nicol, NE
  8. Frank Yallop, SJ
  9. Martin Vasquez, CHV
  10. Hans Backe, NY

Soccer By Ives League Standings (Top 10)
1. Cpt. Pancakes and Lt. Waffles……..263 points
2. Rainbow Chickens……………………….257
3. DCShooter……………………………………251
4. FC Byrd Turgler…………………………….250
5. Voyageur Express………………………..248
6. ChiTowns Finest………………………….247
7. ShaggyReAL…………………………………246
7. The Woolly Mammoths…………………246
9. Polish Pimps………………………………..243
10. Lyn………………………………………………242
10. Campione…………………………………..242

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Did you have to give your squad a makeover with all of the players at USMNT camp? Who do you think will have the top performances this week?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Yeah, im just not sure on who to bench between Zakuani and Convey, i feel the rest of my team is set but those two are playing eachother and i need to get Schelotto on the starting 11..the question really is Seattle or San Jose

    Reply
  2. Go with Schelotto. A rested Schelotto in the second game will probably mean even more of the offense will roll through him then normal. Meanwhile, everyone who goes to Seattle goes to play defense and not let anything get away from them on the high-bouncing astro-pitch/moon-jump pit that is Quest Field. Seattle usually struggles to score at home because of this style everyone uses against them but they don’t give up a ton of goals either.

    Reply
  3. Good thing it’s not NFL fantasy football, because if a New England Patriot is listed as “probable” it means he sneezed once early in the week.

    Reply
  4. if i sub out Hesmer and Schelotto for thursday can i sub them back in for sunday or are they locked for the weekend?

    Reply
  5. Good calls all around. Canada-Argentina friendly completely slipped my mind.

    Dwayne De Rosario, Julian de Guzman, Pat Onstad, RSL’s Will Johnson and Houston’s Andrew Hainault will all be with Canada this weekend.

    Onstad’s replacement, Tally Hall, wouldn’t be a terrible emergency option in net considering the opponent.

    Hesmer is listed as doubtful for Thursday’s game, but he could still play Sunday against Kansas City.

    New England’s midfield options are also more viable without the De Rosario-de Guzman tandem playing

    Reply
  6. Ok so on the MLS injury report, out obviously means out and probable means likely to play; but can someone explain questionable vs doubtful and what % chance of playing those mean?

    Reply

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