Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By ALAN LEDBETTER

How many fantasy managers gave up on David Ferreira one week too early? Last week was his breakout game for FC Dallas, which looked like the team we were used to seeing last year.

There are some other big names in serious fantasy droughts still. Landon Donovan has not scored in 994 minutes and picked up an injury that kept him out of the game vs. D.C. this past week. Los Angeles plays two games on the road this week, so fantasy owners are faced with a tough decision on whether or not to keep the high-salaried Galaxy captain.

Some other big-salaried players who have had to battle injury and have offered little fantasy output are Thierry Henry and Fredy Montero. We all know these players have the ability to score, but neither has found the net this season, and their droughts extend well into last season as well. I would drop these players to bring in someone who is in form this season.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

MULTIPLE GAMES

Los Angeles (at Tor., at Chi.), Chicago (vs. L.A., at Por.), Toronto (vs. L.A., vs. D.C.),  and Portland (vs. Chi., vs. Dal.) all play two games this week. I would load up on Galaxy players, as they have two road games but should expect to get at least a point from each match. Portland and Toronto both have two home games. Though they have not been the strongest teams in the start of the season, playing at home means a lot in MLS and they can both have strong weeks.

FANTASY-FRIENDLY MATCHUPS

Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution

Houston is coming off its first win of the year, a 3-1 beating of the Vancouver Whitecaps. Brad Davis had a breakout game, assisting on all three of Houston’s goals. New England is coming off a game where it essentially lost to Real Salt Lake’s reserve team. The Revs will also be without two key players, Shalrie Joseph and Pat Phelan, due to red card suspensions this week.

The Dynamo could pull off another big win this week. Without Joseph, New England will have a hard time creating anything in the final third and controlling things in the center of the park. There are also a lot of good value plays on Houston. Will Bruin's MFLS salary is only 80, and he seems to have found his spot in the starting XI, especially while Brian Ching is out with an injury. Also, Tally Hall could get clean-sheet points, and his salary is only 55.

New York Red Bulls vs San Jose Earthquakes

New York was unlucky to come out of last week’s game without any points. The Red Bulls should turn things around this week, though, in their game vs San Jose. The Earthquakes are coming off a disappointing home game vs. Toronto where they could only come away with a draw. Now, they are going to have to travel across the country to play one of the more talented teams in the league this week.   

New York has only scored two goals in four games. This can not last long with an attack with the likes of Dwayne De Rosario, Henry, Joel Lindpere and Juan Agudelo. I look for the New York attack to start clicking this week.

INJURY WATCH

Montero was not on the 18-man roster for the second week in a row after his wrist surgery. I would think he would be able to play this week, but an away game vs Philly is not a favorable matchup for him to end his scoring drought…Omar Bravo will miss a few more weeks due to a sports hernia… Donovan, Henry, and Jay DeMerit all have nagging injuries that have led to them missing playing time. Be sure to check for their status in the injury report before feeling confident playing them.

For other injury news, check out the most updated MLS injury report. Also, don’t forget to check out the latest disciplinary report for players serving suspensions.

The deadline for MFLS Week 6 is Wednesday at 7 p.m. Be sure to change your lineups by then.

SBI League Standings (Top 10)
1. HandtoBalls……………………..96 points
T2. FC LC Reds……………………91
T2. Los Diabolitos………………..91
4. Hrycaldo…………………………..90
5. Ballers………………………………88
6. ChicagoFire8……………………87
7. Waterbury FC……………………86
8. DynamoPit………………………..85
T9. Dwizzles………………………….84
T9. SSC…………………………………84

LAST WEEK'S SBI LEAGUE TOP SCORER

Fantasy football withdrawal (39 points)

————————-Hall(3)———————-
–DeLaGarza(3)———Cameron(3)——-Beltran(4)–
–Ferreira(11)–Gaven(-1)–Juninho(0)–Zakuani(5)–
—Paulo Jr(6)—Wondolowski(2)—Sanvezzo(2)—

Coach: Kreis(3)

SBI Prediction League Standings (Top 10)
1. Winning!……………………………….78 points
T2. My Ching-A-Ling…………………76
T2. Old Metro Stars…………………..76
T4. A1 Steaksauce……………………75
T4. The Crimson Hellions………..75
T6. Sharpness FC…………………….74
T6. RBA One Twelve………………….74
T6. Ravens Victoria……………………74
T6. Pogon1966………………………….74
10. 30 Kilsyt B SC………………………72

LAST WEEK'S SBI PREDICTION LEAGUE TOP SCORER

PeorESnada (32 points: 2 exact, 2 correct margin, 1 tie, 2 correct)
———————–

Are you going to keep the slumping designated players on your roster? What's your lineup looking like? Which player do you think is in for the biggest week?

Share your thoughts below.