Hopefully this week's line-up will help me rebound from last week's debacle. Columbus is off this week, but they Chicago and San Jose play two next week. As usual, I am trying to load up on some players that will be playing twice next week. I'd focus on Chicago since they are the best team out of the three and play this week. I'd essentially ignore San Jose because I don't really like their chances of getting points. Columbus is tricky, they don't play this week, but if you have cap and bench space, you might consider adding guys like Barros Schelotto, Rogers, and Ekpo. So this week I focused on adding Chicago player.
Changes:
In: Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Brian McBride, Pat Onstad
Out: Javier Morales, Clint Mathis, Kasey Keller
Goalkeeper:
Pat Onstad - At home against a San Jose team that hasn't been doing well, they have only scored eight goals so far this season and they have failed to score in four games. So I think this should be a shut-out for Onstad, even with a make-shift back line in front of him. (Still like Frei as a cheap pick though, he is at home against a New England team that still isn't its usual self)
Defenders:
Jonathan Bornstein - Away at Kansas City, I think Chivas will be able to pull out a result, but I wouldn't count on a clean sheet. Who knows though, because I had KC losing last week away and that didn't happen.
Omar Gonzalez - Away against FC Dallas. Could be a shut-out, but FCD scored at home against Seattle last week, a better defensive team than the Galaxy.
Kosuke Kimura - At home against a Seattle team that hasn't looked as strong since their 3-0 start at home.
Midfielders:
Chris Pontius - DC is at home this week against Real Salt Lake, who struggled at home last week against Kansas City. Meanwhile, DC United had a come from behind draw away against league-leading Chivas USA. I'd say momentum is in DC's favor. Hopefully Pontius will continue with his fabulous rookie season. Only worry that he might get relegated to the bench if both Fred and Gomez return to the starting line-up.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco - He is really an addition for next week, but he had a memorable performance at Giants stadium last year logging a goal and three assist in Chicago's 5-1 dismantling of the Red Bulls. Maybe he'll have a repeat performance.
Amado Guevara - No goal or assist last week, but he's at home against New England, who haven't looked spectacular this year.
Mac Kandji - At home, but it will be a tough game against Chicago. The Red Bulls will also be without Rojas due to suspension. It will be interesting to see how this game turns out, I'm hoping high scoring on both sides.
Forwards:
Landon Donovan - He let me down last week as captain with zero points, but I'm going to stick with him. He's away this week against FC Dallas, another team that has been struggling this season. (Captain)
Fredy Montero - Turned up a big goose egg last week. He is away against a pretty average Colorado team. He's on probation, no points soon he is gone. In fact I was considering Robbbie Findley instead of him, if you have any ideas I'm open to suggestions, maybe even a 3-5-2.
Brian McBride - Another addition for next week, but you can't feel bad about picking up a guy who is tied for the golden boots so far this season.
Coach:
Sigi Schmid - Seattle against Colorado in Colorado feels like a tie to me. I'd rather have Kinnear this week, but I'm stuck with the guy already on my team.
Bench: Marco Pappa, Stefan Frei, Robbie Findley.
Make sure you check out the injury list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries (on Friday too), 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 v. SJ.
Defense-
Eddie Lewis (LA)
He got a goal last week, let's see if he can do it again against a not so hot FCD.
Adrian Serioux (TOR)
Home v. NE, two goals and an assist so far this season.
Bryan Namoff (DC)
At home v. RSL, has three assist so far this season. (I would have gone with Houston defender, but I want to use Houston players elsewhere)
Midfield-
Stuart Holden (HOU)
At home v. SJ
Brad Davis (HOU)
at home v. SJ
Amado Guevara (TOR)
The streak ended, but he can always start a new one
Dwayne DeRosario (TOR)
The scoring load will continue to fall on the midfield since the forwards can't seem to consistently produce.
Forward-
Landon Donovan (LA)
Away v. FCD (captain)
Luciano Emilio (DC)
I seem to pick him when he doesn't score and get rid of him when he does, so don't trust me.
Jaime Moreno (DC)
I really like DC going forward. Especially if we see more of Gomez and Fred. (I might have picked Ching here if I didn't use the Houston picks elsewhere, he is also on the injury list as "probable")
Coach- Dominic Kinnear (HOU)
I think this is the obvious choice this week.
Comments, questions, suggestions? I have $33K in cap space still. I feel like I should have more Houston guys, but I want to make sure I have the Chicago guys for next week. Also not 100% on Montero. Thoughts, ideas anyone?
Yeah, I hope this week we get some wins rather than draws.
ReplyDeleteI had Ching on my team as well, but now that he's listed as probable I don't want to waste a potential spot. Maybe wait to make a final decision on Friday when the updated injury list comes out? I think you're right about having a Houston player on the team. I unloaded Keller and Mathis to pick up Quaranta and Brad Davis.
I think this time I'll try a 3-5-2 with McBride and Donovan up top. I just have no more faith in Montero. Yet...McBride gives me some hesitation too--they are playing agains an improved NYRB, on that crappy turf, and at home. What do you think? I have one transfer left (if I don't pick up Ching) and $494K to spend.
How about a midfield lineup of:
Guevara, Pontius, Quaranta, Davis, and Holden?
Shalrie? He has been playing up top these days.
I think that Ching will most likely play, so I don't think it'd be a waste. But I like your five person midfield too.
ReplyDeleteI get nervous about the DC United guys though, there are a whole bunch of good midfielders and they can't all play 90 minutes. I think we'll have a better idea of who will play this weekend based on the minutes in the US Open Cup tonight.
I like McBride for next week and I think he is a pretty ok pick for this week too. I don't like Joseph because the Rev's still haven't hit their stride and Toronto should be good at home (maybe consider DeRo).