MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 7 line-up

Here is the line-up for week seven of the Major League Fantasy Challenge.

So my goal this week was to add some DC players to my team because they are playing playing FC Dallas, probably the worst team in MLS right now, at home and they have two games next week. So I added both Pontius and Wallace.

I would have liked to have added Emilio, but it would have left me with a lot less depth on the bench (this is by far the best bench I've had so far, and it should give me some flexibility going forward). I like the Robbie Findley pick almost as much, they play Colorado away this week, but they have two games next week.

Changes:
In: Robbie Findley, Rodney Wallace, Chris Pontius
Out: Pablo Vitti, Eduardo Lillingston, Sanna Nyassi

Goalkeeper:
Stefan Frei - At home against Columbus who have struggled this year. This is probably one of the better picks for GK, but Guillermo Barros Schelotto makes me anxious.

Defenders:
Jonathan Bornstein - Chivas has only let in three goals so far, and San Jose is not known for it offensive prowess, especially if they are going to be missing Huckerby and their midfield engine Corrales.

Omar Gonzalez - At home against New York, honestly I hope he doesn't get a shut-out and that Kandji and Angel both score. He is a cheap player filling up roster space, who will hopefully get points on occasion.

Kosuke Kimura - Sort of same as above. He could be serious negative points if RSL has another six goal explosion like last week.

Midfielders:
Javier Morales - Coming of a spectacular offensive performance by the team. Morales won player of the week honor for his part in the 6-0 dismantling on New England, hopefully he can keep the momentum going.

Chris Pontius - He seems to get good chances every game, and at 222K, my guess is that he is one of, if not the top point earner per dollar. FC Dallas this week and two games next week, sounds pretty good.

Amado Guevara - He has been on a roll lately. He has another home game against Columbus who haven't been close to the team they were last year.

Mac Kandji - At LA, hopefully Osorio will start him, no question that New York was a better team (at least offensively) last week when Kandji and Rojas entered.

Forwards:
Landon Donovan - Not only took away his captaincy last week, but also benched him and I payed for it last week. Now he is back. At home against a New York team whose back four looked terrible last week against DC. (Captain)

Juan Pablo Angel - Managed a goal on a set play against the run of play. He seems to be able to get on the score sheet even though the he gets very little service. Super efficient with chances.

Robbie Findley - Two games next week and the top point getting forward I think. I hope I don't regret taking him instead of Emilio (as explained above, it was not just a choice between him or Emilio).

Coach:
Preki - Top team in MLS playing against one of the weaker teams in MLS.

Make sure you check out the injury list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries, and the discipline list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/discipline.jsp

Now here is, in my opinion, the best line-up this week starting from scratch and with no salary limits:

GK-
Zach Thorton (CHV)
I think either Frei or Thorton is a good pick here. Columbus is a more dangerous team than the Earthquakes, but Toronto is home and Chivas are away. It's a toss up.

Defense-
Jonathan Bornstein (CHV)
Shut-out possibility, I really want to see him get some points going forward this year too.
Jim Brennan (TOR)
Two shut-outs last week, and he can get forward. Ripped a few shots last week.
Marvell Wynne (TOR)
Two shut-outs, likes to get up the flanks and serve in balls.

Midfield-
Chris Pontius (DC)
Always dangerous and up against a weak FCD team.
Amado Guevara (TOR)
He's been on a roll so I'm gonna stick with him.
Christian Gomez (DC)
The injury report says he is probable, so if that's true I think he could do some damage against FCD, a bit of a gamble.
Jorge Rojas (NY)
The Red Bulls looked a whole lot more dangerous after he got inserted into the line-up last week. I think he could take advantage of LA's midfield.

Forward-
Landon Donovan (LA)
At home against a NY team with bad defense. (captain)
Luciano Emilio (DC)
Game against FCD who have been bad, has been scoring consistently.
Juan Pablo Angel (NY)
Has been scoring lately, I'm gonna stick with him until he cools off.

Coach-
Preki (CHV)
Best team playing against one of the worst.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 6 results

This past week was pretty awesome for me, and I expect for many of you. My team registered 174 points this week, for a grand total of 602 points. I am at my goal of 100 points per week! This was a crazy week for points, the "Dream Team," the best possible combination of player for this week, earned 683 points. That is in one week, that team would have surpassed my points total over the whole season so far, wow.

Solid performances from JPA, Javier Morales, Amado Guevara and Stefan Frei. Frei was the big surprise for me, posting two shut-outs.

Montero and especially Lillingston where disappointing to me. Lillingston played zero minutes over the two games; he is definitely getting dropped from my team for next week. I guess I should have stuck with Donovan as captain.

It's too bad that I dropped Segares off my team, because he had 58 points this week.

Looking forward to next week, you might consider filling out your roster with either Chris Pontius or Steve Zakuani, both rookies have been earning good points and are only 175K.

On a side note, how crazy was the RSL v. New England game. I would have never expected the Rev's to give up six goals in one game. I hope you had some RSL players, Olave earned 80 points and both Mathis and Williams had 47.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 6 line-up

This was a really tough week for me picking my team, it was really hard deciding who I wanted on my team since there were so many good options. I tinkered with line-ups that contain DeRosario, Thorton, Kljestan, Stepanovic, Mayen, Wolff and Lopez. In the end I just couldn't really decide so I went with what I had at the moment.

Obviously I tried to maximize the number of players I had from Toronto, Chivas, New York and Kansas City since they are all playing two games this week. I didn't want too many KC guys though, since they are going to be off next week, so I choose just to stick with Arnaud. KC will have two games again in two weeks, so if you can manage to get more KC guys on your team and sub them next week that'd probably be a good plan.

Changes:
In: Eduardo Lillingston, Mac Kandji, Preki
Out: Darren Huckerby, Dominic Kinnear, Sainey Nyassi.

Goalkeeper:
Stefan Frei - Two games at home, though truth be told, I'd rather have Thorton this weekend. But Frei was already on my roster, and he is so cheap.

Defenders:
Jonathan Bornstein - Two games this week, I think he has a good shot for shutout points as well as goals/assists

Omar Gonzalez - Already in the line-up and really cheap. Maybe he can get another goal with his head some time in the near future.

Kosuke Kimura - On the roster already and cheap. At home playing LA. I am a little nervous about sitting Landon this week, because I actually think he has a good shot a putting in some goals this week.

Midfielders:
Javier Morales - Home against the Rev's, it will probably be a tough game for him, especially up against the best defensive midfield in MLS, Larentowicz and Joseph.

Davy Arnaud - Games against New York and Toronto, both teams can be scored on.

Amado Guevara - Two home games, attacking player are often times much more efficient at home, had a good game last week with two assists.

Mac Kandji - A goal and an assist last week, two games this week. It could be a big week for him. Added bonus is that he is really more of a forward than midfielder with the Red Bulls, which means he is in a better position to score, but get the advantage of earning points like a midfielder.

Forwards:
Fredy Montero - Two losses in a row, but they will be back at home and with Keller again. I think he'll get back on track this game.

Juan Pablo Angel - Two games, hopefully his goal last week was just the beginning of him regaining his usual form.

Eduardo Lillingston - Two games this week. I feel like I am taking a pretty big risk on him, making him my captain and benching Donovan, let's hope it works out.

Coach:
Preki - Two home games, best record in MLS so far, seems like a no brainer.

Make sure you check out the injury list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries, and the discipline list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/discipline.jsp

Now here is, in my opinion, the best line-up this week starting from scratch and with no salary limits:

GK-
Zach Thorton (CHV)
Two games, best team in the league.

Defense-
Jimmy Conrad (KC)
Two games, can earn shutout points or offensive points getting forward.
Jim Brennan (TOR)
Two home games (would have gone with Bornstein here, but their were already three Chivas players I wanted to use).
Marvell Wynne (TOR)
Two home games, likes to get forward.

Midfield-
Arnaud (KC)
Two games, has been in good form this season.
Amado Guevara (TOR)
Two home games, had two assists last game.
Sacha Kljestan (CHV)
Two games, hasn't had the numbers he had last season, but he is due for a goal/assist or two.
Mac Kandji (NY)
Two games, a break out performance for him last week.

Forward-
Fredy Montero (SEA)
Back home against a team they can beat.
Eduardo Lillingston (CHV)
Two games, has been an efficient finisher (captain).
Juan Pablo Angel (NY)
Two games, finally got a goal last week.

Coach-
Preki (CHV)
Best team, playing two games.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 5 results

All in all, not a bad week. I finished this week with 99 points and an overall total of 428. I'm a little bit behind where I want to be, but I'm feeling good about my team in general.

Juan Pablo Angel finally got me some points, which makes me feel vindicated in sticking with him. Hopefully he can do well in his two games this week as well.

The midfield was a bit of a problem this week, Guevara did well, getting 32 points, but I got zero production from anyone else. I guess I need to follow my own instructions better, I somehow missed that Huckerby was questionable for this weekend, his status must have been updated on Friday, because he wasn't on the list on Tuesday. So this weeks lesson is to always check the injury list again on Friday to make sure no one on your team tweaked something during the week.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 5 line-up

Sorry about the delay on the week five line-up, but here it is. This week I wanted to balance performance this week with getting the best team together for next week, when multiple teams have multiple games. Remember that Toronto, Chivas, New York and Kansas City all play two games next week (and Houston is off).

Changes:
In: Javier Morales, Stefan Frei, Davy Arnaud
Out: Gonzalo Segares, Will Hesmer, Emmanuel Ekpo

Hesmer and Ekpo are out because they aren't playing this week. I didn't want to get rid of Segares, but I needed some money and I thought that it made sense to get rid of a defender who is relatively expensive because in general defender don't get that many points.

I picked up Morales because he is up against a NY team that has been terrible. Frei and Arnaud are mainly for next week. I thought about putting Arnaud in the starting line-up, but I think Sainey Nyassi's match-up against DC is better than Arnaud's against Chicago.

Goalkeeper:
Stefan Frei - He is cheap, he is playing against FC Dallas this week, a team that struggles to score, and he has two home games next week. I think he could be a great value pick.

Defenders:
Jonathan Bornstein - Tough game against a good Seattle team, but Chivas are at home. Should be a great game to prove who's best in MLS.

Omar Gonzalez - So far one of the highest point scoring defenders. Hopefully LA will improve defensively with Berhalter. Plus he is only 175k.

Kosuke Kimura - Away at Houston, but they haven't been as offensively effective since the departure of DeRo.

Midfielders:
Javier Morales - Away at NY, who have struggled, had a good performance last week.

Sainey Nyassi - Away at DC, he certainly has a chance to score.

Amado Guevara - Away against a weak FC Dallas team. Two home games next week. He'll have to carry creativity load if DeRo is out either this week or next week with injury.

Darren Huckerby - Home against an LA team not known for their defense. I think he has a really good shot at getting some points this week.

Forwards:
Fredy Montero - Big away game to determine the best in MLS so far. Chivas will be a challenge, let's see how he performs in a big game.

Juan Pablo Angel - At home against RSL. He's on probation on my team, he has until the end of next week to get some points.

Landon Donovan - Away against San Jose, who let in three goals last week. If Donovan gets any help from the players around him he should have a good chance of scoring. He's my choice for captain this week even though he got me so few points last week.

Coach:
Dominic Kinnear - At home against Colorado, let's see if the Dynamo from years past finally makes an appearance.

Make sure you check out the injury list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries, and the discipline list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/discipline.jsp

Now here is, in my opinion, the best line-up this week starting from scratch and with no salary limits:

GK-
Jon Busch (CHI)
I like Chicago's defense at home, even against a solid KC team.

Defense-
Gonzalo Segares (CHI)
see above.
Jim Brennan (TOR)
Against FC Dallas, who have struggled to score this year.
Bakary Soumare (CHI)
see above.

Midfield-
Darren Huckerby (SJ)
At home against an LA team that has struggled defensively in recent times.
Amado Guevara (TOR)
Away against a weak FC Dallas team
Javier Morales (RSL)
Away against a weak NY team
Steve Ralston (NE)
If he gets significant time (coming back from injury) he could have a big impact in the game. He may even play as a second forward if Larentowicz gets healthy in a 4-4-2 as opposed to an attacking midfielder in a 3-5-2.

Forward-
Fredy Montero (SEA)
Big game against CHV.
Landon Donovan (LA)
Up against SJ, who let in three goals last week.
Robbie Findley (RSL)
Away against a weak NY defense, that is not too speedy in the middle

Coach-
Denis Hamlett (CHI)
One of the best team playing at home this week, against a team they can beat.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 4 results

Another sub-par performance this week by my picks. I earned only a paltry 36 points this week, for a grand total of 329 points. I'd like to be averaging at least 100 points a week, so I am slipping behind with an average of about 82 per week so far. On a more positive note, my weekly picked team would have earned 116 points.

It is really sad when your three forwards earn you a total of seven points. I would have never guessed that the LA v. Chivas game would end 0-0, but it was a little unusual with the three red cards.

Another week with no production from Angel. I told myself I'd wait until after the two games in week six, but I'm not sure I have the patience. I'm also wondering about Houston, because NY is terrible, and they couldn't even beat them at home.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 4 line-up

This is the line-up for week four. Most of the focus this week was cutting down on Columbus guys and making sure I had no Rev's guys on the field (because the Rev's are off this week and Columbus is off next week).

Start thinking about adding guys for week six who are going to play two games. Toronto has two home games that week so I'd make TFC guys the priority. KC and Chivas also have home games against weak opponents New York and FC Dallas respectively, so load up on their players as well.

KC has really weird scheduling, because they are off the following week, then they have two games again the week after, so if you can figure out how to play that with your bench, it could get you big points.

Changes:
In: Landon Donovan, Dominic Kinnear, Amado Guevara
Out: Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Robert Warzycha, Kheli Dube

I felt like I just couldn't leave Donovan out of my line-up, they have a game against Chivas USA and I have a feeling he'll be up for this one, especially since Chivas are undefeated so far. I added Guevara from Toronto because they have their next two games against FC Dallas, a team that has been struggling and then in week six they have two home games. I add Kinnear because they have two home games the next two weeks, the first of which is against the Red Bulls, who have been struggling, and at $175,000, he is really cheap.

The guys who are out are out because they are NE/CLB players. Although I wouldn't have minded having GBS this week, they are home against Colorado.

Goalkeeper:
Will Hesmer - Colorado has looked pretty good this year, and if both Hedjuk and Marshall are out, the Columbus defense could be seriously weakened, and they can't call on Iro since he was suspended last week. Would have been nice to be able to make a switch here.

Defenders:
Jonathan Bornstein - Still waiting for him to get into the attack and get offensive points. I'd guess that shut-out points are unlikely against Donovan and the Galaxy this week, although they'll probably still beat them.

Gonzalo Segares - Away at the Earthquakes, a shut-out is possible, but probably unlikely.

Kosuke Kimura - Playing away against a weakened Crew team. Maybe the absences will affect CLB's ability to get forward, and Kimura will have a chance at some shut-out points.

Midfielders:
Emmanuel Ekpo - At home, got an assist last game. I don't feel particularly strongly about his chances this week, see above.

Sanna Nyassi - I'm not sure he will even get on the field, he has been coming off the bench lately. Freddie Ljungberg took a knock last week, some maybe he'll see more time. He'll porbably be back on my bench next week.

Amado Guevara - Home against struggling Dallas this week. Good chance for points. Looking forward Dallas again next week and then two home games in week six. I'd start loading up on TFC players, I wish I could have got DeRo this week too.

Darren Huckerby - Home against Chicago, I'm a little worried, their defense is always pretty good. If he doesn't start producing more like last season he'll have to be let go, especially since he cost $460,000.

Forwards:
Fredy Montero - Let's see if he can shake off his illness and legal issues. Seattle is home against KC and I think he can have another big game.

Juan Pablo Angel - He is another one who should be on the chopping block. I'm not liking his chances against Houston this week, but it seems like statistically he is due to score. I'll probably give him until week six when he has two games. If he hasn't performed by then I'll work on getting rid of him.

Landon Donovan - L.A. derby vs. Chivas USA. I think he'll produce this week, after all, he produces pretty much every week. He'll also be my captain, although I was tempted to give it to Fredy.

Coach:
Dominic Kinnear - As mentioned above, two home games the next two weeks, the first of which is against the Red Bulls and only $175,000.

Make sure you check out the injury list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries, and the discipline list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/discipline.jsp

Now here is, in my opinion, the best line-up this week starting from scratch and with no salary limits:

GK-
Pat Onstad (HOU)
Home against Red Bulls.

Defense-
Bobby Boswell (HOU)
see above.
Jim Brennan (TOR)
Home against FC Dallas
James Riley (SEA)
At home and they have yet to be scored on

Midfield-
Dwayne De Rosario (TOR)
At home against FCD
Amado Guevara (TOR)
ditto
Javier Morales (RSL)
Home against DC (still with injuries and minus Moreno)
Sasha Kljestan (CHV)
Derby v. LA

Forward-
Fredy Montero (SEA)
At home after being off a week.
Landon Donovan (LA)
Derby v. CHV
Yura Movsisyan (RSL)
At home v. DC, he'll want to catch up to Findley after his offensive explosion

Coach-
Dominic Kinnear (HOU)
Home v. NY

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 3 results

Ugh!!! Only 45 points this week, not a strong performance. That brings the grand points total to 293.

Filling the roster with Columbus people didn't really help me this week. Who would have thought that they would lose both of their games this week. The 13 points from Ekpo weren't bad, but the -14 for Warzycha really stunk.

I need to figure out my forward situation, because three points just doesn't cut it. Thanks goodness for Nyassi, otherwise the would have been a really painful week. Too bad I didn't have Omar Gonzalez in the starting line-up, I could have used those 37 points.

Now I have to figure a way to unload my Rev's and Crew players over the next two weeks.

Montero "ill"

Montero is reported as ill on the injury report and out for the Toronto game. There have been reports that he might have trouble with the law, allegations of sexual assault and stalking.

So for this week I took Mullan off my roster. Put the Sanna Nyassi back into the midfield and put Kheli Dube up front. Montero is on the bench (and probably gone next week). I like Dube, only problem is that he'll be off next week, but I thought he was the best option this week.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 3 line-up

Here is the line-up for week two. I have three and my coach from Columbus because they are playing twice this week. Remember that the Rev's are off next week, so be cautious add Rev's players and think about replacing some.

Rogers got the boot because I didn't think he'd play this week, and I wanted three active player from Columbus. Preki's gone so that I can ger Warzycha, Columbus's coach. Same with Thorton, he's out and Hesmer is in.

Changes:
In: Will Hesmer, Robert Warzycha, Brian Mullan
Out: Zach Thorton, Preki, Robbie Rogers

Goalkeeper:
Will Hesmer - He's got two games, but both are away against some of the toughest teams in the western conference, RSL and Chivas USA. He could be big points or no points at all.

Defenders:
Jonathan Bornstein - He has been doing pretty well, instrumental in the shut-out last week at FC Dallas. Although he has yet to get any offensive points. It will be a tough game at home against Columbus this week.
Gonzalo Segares - Fire at home this week against the Red Bulls, this could definitely be a chance for a shut-out. Segares also scored against the Red Bulls last year, so maybe there's a chance for offensive points too.
Kosuke Kimura - Not looking good, away against Landon. This could be more negative points from Kimura. I would have made a change here if I had the luxury.

Midfielders:
Emmanuel Ekpo - He had a nice shot last week, but would probably prefer playing out on the wing instead of in the middle. I think I will probably unload him after this week. Hopefully he can do something in two games.
Brian Mullen - Houston is up against a still injury plagued D.C. United (who have played well considering). I'm not really sure about this pick, I would have liked to add Ralston, who looks like he is coming back from injury, but who know how long he will play and he is off next week. I also considered Holden instead, but I'm going to go with my gut.
Sainey Nyassi - I was trying to decide which of the Nyassi's was more likely to play, both are listed as probable. Sanna didn't play last week, and Sainey was subbed at half-time. In the end I decide on Sainey because of the match-up. New England is home against FC Dallas, as opposed to Seattle away at Toronto, a much tougher match.
Darren Huckerby - Kansas has struggled on defense, conceeding five goals in two games. I want to see Huckerby score on them. I thought he would be a points gold mine considering last year's performance.

Forwards:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Captain for me again this week. With two games this week let's hope that he can keep up the goal a game average. He's facing two tough opponents, but I have faith in him.
Juan Pablo Angel - I considered some complicated juggling to get rid of Angel and get
Donovan back on the team, but in the end I decide to stick with Angel (mostly because I didn't like the changes a move for Donovan would have caused). He is up against a good Chicago defense who are at home. Hopefully he'll rise to the challenge.
Fredy Montero - First away game for Seattle, and in a tough environment. BMO Field will be packed as usual, and this year TFC is fielding a good team. Being able to score away from home is what seperates the good strikers from the great ones.

Coach:
Robert Warzycha - Two winnable away games for Columbus, though I'm expecting a win and a draw. Columbus really need a win with only two draws so far.

Bench:
When I get a chance I think I am going to replace Vitti with a 175K player to free up some cash for starters. He played last week, but I'm not sure he'll play unless people are away on national team duty or injured.

Omar Gonzalez, Sanna Nyassi, Pablo Vitti

Tips:
Columbus plays twice and New England is off next week, plan accordingly. Especially since Columbus will be off the week after that (and you may have a bunch of them because of the two games this week).

Here is a list of relatively inexpensive player that have been performing well to fill out your roster around the big names:
Forwards: Cam Weaver 250K, Chris Wondolowski 250K (will Kamara replace him though)
Midfielders: Mac Kandji 251K, Osvaldo Alonso 250K, Chris Pontius 175K
Defenders: Zach Scott 250K, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado 250K, Chris Tierney 175K, Kevin Alston 175K (-1 points so far, but I think he's got potential)

Also make sure you check out the injury list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries, and the discipline list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/discipline.jsp

Now here is, in my opinion, the best line-up this week starting from scratch and with no salary limits:

GK-
Will Hesmer
Two games.

Defense-
Chad Marshall
Two games, lots of set piece opportunities.
Gonzalo Segares
Playing against NY, whose only goal so far has been an own goal.
Bakary Soumare
Against NY (I hope Angel proves me wrong) and a threat on set pieces.

Midfield-
Dwayne De Rosario
At home, Seattle's first road game.
Amado Guevara
ditto
Javier Morales
First home game, even if it is against Columbus. He put up awesome numbers last year.
Darren Huckerby
I like his chances against the KC defense.

Forward-
Brian McBride
Home game against NY.
Landon Donovan
Scoring at home is practically automatic for him.
Kheli Dube
I think NE will win against FCD at home, so someone has to score for them.

Coach-
Robert Warzycha
Two games, at least one win right?

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 2 results

Things worked out pretty well for me in week two. I got 142 points this week and my overall points total is 248.

Just as I was ready to dump him, Zach Thorton has a great game in goal and logs 32 points. Chivas surprised me with a good result in Dallas, so I got points for Bornstein and Preki too.

Looks like my midfield needs some work, but at least Huckerby got on the board for the first time this year. Sanna Nyassi didn't play for Seattle, and Sainey Nyassi had to be substituted at half-time. It looks like they are both having hamstring issue from the injury report.

GBS now has two goals in two games and Fredy Montero vindicated me jumping on the bandwagon. I'm worried about JPA, the Red Bulls certaintly look more dangerous at home, but honestly Mac Kandji looked like the most dangerous forward on the team.