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Fantasy MLS: Week 17

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Photo by Michael Pimentel/ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

Some scheduling changes have made Week 17 a rather light one as just 10 teams take to the pitch in league play prior to the Major League Soccer All-Star Game.

The league's three front-runners all play at home, and as is the case most weeks, The Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake deserve the bulk of your attention.

With the Seattle-Colorado, Toronto-Dallas and Columbus-Houston matches all erring on the side of toss-up, lean toward the home team if you're in a bind.

Here are this week's player rankings by position:

FANTASY MLS WEEK 17 PLAYER RANKINGS

GOALKEEPERS

  1. Nick Rimando, RSL – All-Star selection had his shutout streak snapped but can get cranking on a new one with a home match against Chivas
  2. Donovan Ricketts, LA – Makes the tough saves look easy, makes the easy saves cleanly and has the league's top defensive unit in front of him
  3. Stefan Frei, TOR – Dallas is playing well, but the Reds are usually the better team, or at least an equal, when playing at home
  4. Will Hesmer, CLB – Notched a clean sheet at Houston less than two weeks ago and will be at home this time around
  5. Kevin Hartman, DAL – Comes off a hard-earned shutout of RSL, and Toronto's attack isn't that dynamic
  6. Kasey Keller, SEA – Status is in question after foot injury suffered on Thursday, but a return between the pipes would make things difficult for Colorado's attack at Qwest
  7. Pat Onstad, HOU – Was on the other end of the 0-0 draw between the Dynamo and Crew on July 10, but trying to tame Crew in Columbus is a different task
  8. Matt Pickens, COL – Seattle's offense is starting to click, and Colorado's defense has been less stingy recently
  9. Jon Busch, SJ – Has shown the ability to individually keep Quakes in matches, but the Galaxy at HDC might be a bit much to overcome
  10. Zach Thornton, CHV – Tough matchup for the Goats; This isn't a Top-10 nod, it's a 10th-out-of-10 one

DEFENDERS

  1. Jamison Olave, RSL – Deserving All-Star should enter the break with another strong performance
  2. Robbie Russell, RSL – A Top-3 MFLS defender because of his ability to get up in the attack and play in front of a keeper like Rimando
  3. Nat Borchers, RSL – The addition of Giancarlo Maldonado helps Chivas, but I just don't see the Goats scoring at Rio Tinto
  4. Sean Franklin, LA – Coming off what Bruce Arena called "one of his better games this year," Franklin gives the Galaxy a threat going forward on the right
  5. Todd Dunivant, LA – MFLS' top-scoring defender is wildly under-owned, considering his cost and his production
  6. Omar Gonzalez, LA – Galaxy defenders have turned in at least one clean half in every game this season
  7. Adrian Cann, TOR – Has turned in at least one clean half in 12 straight matches and has only been with the Reds for 13
  8. Chad Marshall, CLB – Crew have a chance for the clean sheet every time Marshall plays
  9. Andy Iro, CLB – Less-heralded member of Crew defense is just as effective in fantasy terms
  10. Heath Pearce, DAL – His five assists lead all defenders

MIDFIELDERS

  1. Javier Morales, RSL – In the league MVP discussion and can head to the All-Star game with a super performance against Chivas
  2. Dwayne Re Rosario, TOR – My money's on his five-match scoreless streak coming to an end
  3. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, CLB – Should be well-rested and ready to go again after another strong performance against New York
  4. Michael Stephens, LA – Landon Donovan's return only helps Stephens growth as a contributor
  5. David Ferreira, DAL – One of the hottest players in the league, deserving of his All-Star spot
  6. Steve Zakuani, SEA – Fredy Montero's form and the addition of Blaise N'Kufo (and pending subtraction of Freddie Ljungberg?) boost Zakuani's scoring and assist chances
  7. Eddie Gaven, CLB – Always involved for Robert Warzycha's side and makes for the ideal wingman for Schelotto on the pitch
  8. Brek Shea, DAL – Quickly gaining the consistency to match his potential
  9. Bobby Convey, SJ – Not the strongest of matchups this week…
  10. Chris Wondolowski, SJ – …for a pair of San Jose All-Star snubs

FORWARDS

  1. Alvaro Saborio, RSL – All-Star snub has the best matchup of the week, at home against the last-place team in the conference
  2. Landon Donovan, LA – Hopefully won't be rested against former team; His current form isn't going anywhere
  3. Edson Buddle, LA – As big a threat as any in the league to score every match
  4. Fredy Montero, SEA – At least a goal or an assist in six straight matches
  5. Conor Casey, COL – The chances are there week-in, week-out; Whether he converts the ones he should is another story, but he has scored in four of his last seven matches
  6. Robbie Findley, RSL – World Cup experience has translated into some better play from speedy forward
  7. Brian Ching, HOU – Commish's All-Star pick is main threat to break down the Crew
  8. Chad Barrett, TOR – Quietly putting together a fantasy-friendly season with five goals and an assist
  9. Milton Rodriguez, DAL – Showed the ability to make a difference in his FCD debut and should be on opponents' radars going forward
  10. Justin Braun, CHV – In the off-chance that Chivas cracks the RSL D, the up-and-coming Braun will likely have a hand in the action

COACHES

  1. Jason Kreis, RSL
  2. Bruce Arena, LA
  3. Robert Warzycha, CLB
  4. Sigi Schmid, SEA
  5. Preki, TOR
  6. Schellas Hyndman, DAL
  7. Gary Smith, COL
  8. Dom Kinnear, HOU
  9. Frank Yallop, SJ
  10. Martin Vasquez, CHV

Soccer By Ives League Standings (Top 10)
1. Campione……………………………………449 points
2. Yankee Racers…………………………….448
3. Cpt. Pancakes and Lt. Waffles…….441
4. FC Byrd Turgler……………………………424
5. Timbers4Ever………………………………417
5. I <3 MLS……………………………………….417
7. Miles Davis FC…………………………….416
8. ShaggyReAL………………………………..413
9. Skillz…………………………………………….411
10. CleartheBall………………………………405
10. Rainbow Chickens……………………405

LAST WEEK'S SBI LEAGUE TOP SCORER

Westeros United FC (39 points)

——————————Nielsen(8)—————————–
–Marshall(4)————Harrington(4)———-Franklin(2)–
–Le Toux(6)–Arnaud(5)–Schelotto(3)–De Rosario(-1)–
—Buddle(5)————Findley(0)———-Cummings(0)—

Coach: Schmid(3)

—————–

Who do you see having a big Week 17? What's your lineup looking like?

Share your thoughts below.

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