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.
Good to see this blog...wish I'd seen it earlier. How about adding your points to the "no-limits" team picks?
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for a midfielder for under 225K. I already have 3 from RSL and DCU and would like a LAG player since there is a possibility of big points due to 2-game weeks.
Thoughts?
So...my tentative lineup. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteStefan Frei GK
Jonathan Bornstein DEF
Bryan Namoff DEF
Chris Tierney DEF
Clint Mathis MID
Amado Guevara MID
Chris Pontius MID
Gerson Mayen MID
Brian McBride FWD
Robbie Findley FWD
Luciano Emilio FWD
Predrag Preki COACH
Bench:
Fredy Montero FWD
Yura Movsisyan FWD
Brad Evans FWD
I think it looks good. You worry a little bit about the Mayen pick because he doesn't start, but he has been getting in consistently in the second half and he has produced good points. I don't think their is a better pick in the midfield for 175K.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to give advice when I don't which players are new picks and which guys you already had on your team.
For instance I don't really like the Namoff pick. I think 305K is too much to spend on a back who doesn't really get forward too much, especially since they've been playing with only three in the back. And although their defense has improved from last year, they are not a great shut-out pick. FC Dallas is a struggling team, but they still have Kenny Cooper.
That being said, I think your team has big potential for points this week and next week. Your forwards are awesome and you've got some awesome depth on the bench.
Out of this lineup, who would you suggest as a captain? I've tried to stick with McBride, but then after watching RSL, I switched to Mathis. This week...Emilio? My new picks for this week were:
ReplyDeleteEskandarian (injured) OUT > Evans IN
Cannon (vs Chivas?) OUT > Frei IN
Arnaud (bye week) OUT > Emilio IN
I've had Namoff from the start of the campaign. He's provided at least two assists and I'm reluctant to spend money on another defender.
So far, I'm 2nd in my league and have a respectable(?) 146 points per week (876 total).
Clearly you know what your doing with those kind of points! You should probably be writing this instead of me, so here is my humble advice:
ReplyDeleteI think I'd go with Emilio this week as captain. As absurd as this might sound, when he gets on a streak, he is usually a pretty consistent scorer (until the streak ends, let's hope not this week).
Plus Chicago is up against Seattle who have a pretty good defense and RSL is away against a semi-decent Colorado team, so their are some negatives to picking either Mathis or McBride.
It is too bad that you had to get rid of Arnaud, because he's got two games next week.
As far as Namoff goes, I'm actually suggesting that you unload him at some point for a cheaper defender to free up some cap space. Jim Brennan or any of the starting Seattle defense (minus Tyrone Marshall) would be cheaper and probably more likely to produce points in the future. Or you could just pick up another guy at 175K so you could spend the cash elsewhere.
I don't know the exact status of your finances, but if you have $1000 left over right now, you could keep Arnaud by dropping Namoff and getting a 175K defender to replace him instead of picking up Evans, who considering you forward depth, you will probably never use.
How do you feel about Matt Besler (KC) instead of Namoff?
ReplyDeleteAs far as 175K defenders go, I think the choice is between Omar Gonzalez (LA) and Besler (KC). There is no question in my mind that KC defends better than LA, but Gonzalez has a goal and may be more likely to score than Besler, Besler has a better shot a shut-out points.
ReplyDeleteUgh, so maybe I was wrong about dropping Namoff after his assist tonight.
ReplyDelete