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Fantasy MLS: Week 14

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Photo by Rick Osentoski/ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

It should come as no surprise that Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake players are becoming fixtures atop the weekly rankings. The 2009 MLS Cup participants have the two best goal differentials in the league. The consistency of each side has been a fantasy manager's dream, especially in a game where goal differential is as important as anything.

The schedule and each team's respective form have made the Western Conference front-runners consistent MFLS sources of success, and this week is no different. L.A. welcomes a struggling and vulnerable Seattle Sounders side to the Home Depot Center, and RSL opens its visitors locker room to the wobbly New England Revolution.

Those aren't the only teams with MFLS-favorable matchups though. San Jose hosts D.C. United, and Toronto plays Houston at home, where it hasn't lost a league game in almost 13 months.

Here are this week's player rankings by position:

GOALKEEPERS

  1. Donovan Ricketts, LA – Nine clean sheets, a +18 goal differential and the No. 1 overall MFLS scorer
  2. Nick Rimando, RSL – Have a hard time seeing the Revolution getting on the board at Rio Tinto
  3. Stefan Frei, TOR – Frei is the gatekeeper to the BMO fortress
  4. Jon Busch, SJ – There's a bit of a risk in case Frank Yallop elects to go back to Joe Cannon in goal, but the way Busch shut down RSL indicates that the No. 1 job may now be his
  5. Kevin Hartman, DAL – Wizards have an awfully hard time scoring away from home
  6. Will Hesmer, CLB – Nothing wrong with starting Hesmer on a weekly basis, but matchup with Fire isn't as good as what other keepers have this week
  7. Chris Seitz, PHI – Is PK save against Sounders a career turning point? Match at Chivas is a great chance to build off last week's success
  8. Zach Thornton, CHV – Nice home matchup this week, though the Union are starting to gel
  9. Pat Onstad, HOU – Toronto might not be losing but Reds have been shut out in two straight
  10. Matt Pickens, COL – Will be challenged at home by the Red Bulls but still plays behind one of the more under-appreciated back lines in the league

DEFENDERS

  1. Sean Franklin, LA – As long as he's healthy and the Galaxy are pitching shutouts, he's likely to be among the weekly leaders because of his involvement in the offense
  2. Todd Dunivant, LA – Running out of reasons to hammer the point home so we'll leave it at this…
  3. Omar Gonzalez, LA – …the Galaxy refuses to be scored upon; Gregg Berhalter is a good play as well
  4. Ike Opara, SJ – Rookie is in store for a big season the rest of the way, and home against D.C. is a good clean-sheet opportunity
  5. Jamison Olave, RSL – Shouldn't have a problem shutting down Zack Schilawski, Shalrie Joseph and friends at home
  6. Robbie Russell, RSL – Salt Lake at home is almost as sure a thing as Galaxy's defense
  7. Heath Pearce, DAL – Nice home matchup against the Wizards, and we all know how effective he can be at helping build the attack from the wings
  8. Adrian Cann, TOR – Has been a steady producer the last few weeks with Toronto amassing four clean sheets in last five matches
  9. Brandon McDonald, SJ – Like Opara, has a great matchup, but Opara's a bigger threat to score
  10. Chad Marshall, CLB – The linchpin of the Crew defense is in good form

MIDFIELDERS

  1. Javier Morales, RSL – Best matchup of the week among top midfielders
  2. Dwayne De Rosario, TOR – Surefire All-Star gets to face his former squad at home
  3. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, CLB – Whether he used his hand Henry-style is moot; A goal is a goal in fantasy circles, and there should be more to come at home against the Fire
  4. Sebastien Le Toux, PHI – Is shining with expansion Union (six goals, five assists) and has a stellar matchup at Chivas
  5. Bobby Convey, SJ – Should be able to facilitate offense with ease against D.C.
  6. Michael Stephens, LA – Tallied an assist in Galaxy's 4-0 win over Sounders earlier this year and is an even bigger part of L.A. attack now
  7. Marco Pappa, CHI – On a white-hot streak (four goals in last three games), but has tough test at Columbus
  8. Chris Wondolowski, SJ – Great matchup in which he can add to already impressive goal tally
  9. David Ferreira, DAL – Hoops are quietly on a nice run, and Ferreira's a big part of it, especially considering Schellas Hyndman plays him more forward
  10. Brek Shea, DAL – Former U.S. youth player doesn't cost much, doesn't take up an international spot on your roster and can get you some solid fantasy production with his matchup this week
  11. Eddie Gaven, CLB – Always makes for a decent play, especially when the Crew are at home
  12. Sam Cronin, SJ – New acquisition should be given chance to thrive with Earthquakes
  13. Joel Lindpere, NY – Hasn't scored since Week 1, but he's vital to an offense that's scored eight goals in its last four games
  14. Roger Torres, PHI – Speedy winger should create problems on the flanks for Chivas
  15. Osael Romero, CHV – Will he step up and fill the Sacha Kljestan void? Goal last week suggests he's thrown his hat in the ring

FORWARDS

  1. Alvaro Saborio, RSL – Might be too much for New England defense to handle
  2. Conor Casey, COL – One can only wonder had his goal-scoring form had come earlier if he would've been in South Africa
  3. Juan Pablo Angel, NY – Has scored in three of his last four matches and trails only Edson Buddle in goals among forwards
  4. Edson Buddle, LA – The L.A. Times says that he'll be available for Sunday's game; How much he plays, if at all, is the big question, but playing him might be worth the risk
  5. Landon Donovan, LA – Even bigger question mark considering how much he played in South Africa the last few weeks, but he's technically available for the match, and he lit up the Sounders when they last played; Tristan Bowen might make for the safer play, though
  6. Chad Barrett, TOR – Makes for a solid play at home alongside De Rosario
  7. Ryan Johnson, SJ – He needs a strong performance after some lackluster ones, and this is the matchup in which it can happen
  8. Steven Lenhart, CLB – Penalty miss aside, he's finding himself in scoring positions more often
  9. Danny Mwanga, PHI – Goals in four of last five matches for 2010 No. 1 draft pick
  10. Fabian Espindola, RSL – Imagine if he converted all his golden chances; Should be opportunities to make up for last week's miss against Revs

COACHES

  1. Jason Kreis, RSL
  2. Frank Yallop, SJ
  3. Bruce Arena, LA
  4. Robert Warzycha, CLB
  5. Preki, TOR
  6. Gary Smith, COL
  7. Schellas Hyndman, DAL
  8. Peter Nowak, PHI
  9. Martin Vasquez, CHV
  10. Peter Vermes, KC

Soccer By Ives League Standings (Top 10)
1. Yankee Racers……………………………..384 points
2. Cpt. Pancakes and Lt. Waffles………365
3. Timbers4Ever………………………………..362
3. Miles Davis FC………………………………362
5. Campione………………………………………361
6. I <3 MLS………………………………………….350
7. Skillz……………………………………………….346
7. Arsenal of Indiana………………………….346
9. The Woolly Mammoths…………………..343
10. West New York FC……………………….342

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Who do you think is going to have the best fantasy week? What's your lineup looking like?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. The schedule and each team’s respective form have made the Western Conference front-runners consistent MFLS sources of success, and this week is no different. L.A. welcomes a struggling and vulnerable Seattle Sounders side to the Home Depot Center, and RSL opens its visitors locker room to the wobbly New England Revolution.

    Reply
  2. How about doing short features on whoever has the most points for the last week or teams in the top 25? Everybody deserves their 15 minutes of fame. Like who’s this Yankee Racers guy?

    Reply

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