MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 9 line-up

Here are my thoughts on week nine in the MLS Fantasy Challenge, I have a really good feeling about Real Salt Lake at home vs. Kansas City this week and a not so good feeling about DC United traveling away to Chivas. Accordingly, I have traded away two DC players and put the third on the bench and added another RSL player.

Now DC has been good lately, but I'm not betting against a team with a 7-1-1 record and three more wins than any other team in the league. I'm not going to add players from Chivas USA either though. They honestly don't really have anyone that jumps out at you as a fantasy player. It more of a case of a good team with good depth and a good coach, not stars putting up big numbers.

Remember that San Jose doesn't have a game this week and Columbus doesn't play next week, plan accordingly.

So here are the changes to my line-up this week.

Changes:
In: Steve Ralston, Marco Pappa, Javier Morales
Out: Luciano Emilio, Rodney Wallace, Davy Arnaud

I really like Steve Ralston in general and I think he will be the key to getting New England back on track. I'd put him in the starting line-up, but this will be his first game back, so it is unlikely he'll go the full 90.

Marco Pappa is a deal at 289K and he'll be more good depth to have on the bench.

Arnaud is out because it has been too long since he logged points. I like both Emilio and Wallace, but not their match-up this week and honestly I'd be a little surprised if Wallace could keep producing like he has these last few weeks.

Goalkeeper:
Stefan Frei - Let's hope that Frei can keep surprising me with points. TFC has a tough game against Chicago. I'm not counting on a shut-out, but Frei is still good value at 216K. He is the second best points earning GK behind Zach Thorton.

Defenders:
Jonathan Bornstein - At home against a very dangerous DC team. Don't necessarily count on a shut-out, but he could get some offensive points. He his getting pretty costly at 403K. I might consider unloading him, although he has produced good points, the fifth best point getting defender.

Omar Gonzalez - At home against the Crew who finally got their first win. But as I always say, only 175K.

Kosuke Kimura - Away at New England, I'm not really expecting any more goals out of him.

Midfielders:
Clint Mathis - RSL is 0-2-1 in their last three games, but I think this is one of the best teams in the league and one of the most dynamic offensively. Mathis is having quite a resurgence.

Javier Morales - RSL has one of the best midfields in MLS with Mathis, Beckerman, and Johnson, Morales is like the cherry on top of an awesome sunday.

Amado Guevara - And the point getting streak continues. Chicago will be a tough match, but they are at home in the most intense atmosphere in MLS.

Mac Kandji - Amazing last week. He usually plays as a forward and not a midfielder, so that is to our advantage. With Celades running the midfield Rojas has had more opportunity to be creative, and that works to Kandji's advantage. Could be a tough home game against a Dynamo team that is looking more like their usual selves.

Forwards:
Landon Donovan - At home against the Crew who won their first game last week. It will be interesting to see if the win snaps them out of their funk. I still expect LD to score regardless. (Captain)

Fredy Montero - He hasn't really produced since the very beginning of the season. He has a good chance against FC Dallas, one of the worst teams in the league. But they are away from home. I think I'll unload Montero if I don't see something positive this week.

Robbie Findley - Let's just hope Kreis starts Findley this game. He's been their main threat up top, so I'd stick with him.

Coach:
Sigi Schmid - Seattle one of the better teams is away against FC Dallas one of the worst. I think this will be a win and good points unless they get another card happy ref.

Bench: Steve Ralston, Chris Pontius, Marco Pappa.

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- Kasey Keller (SEA)
I don't see any really clear options for shut-outs, but FC Dallas has been struggling and Seattle has let in so few goals.

Defense-
Jonathan Bornstein (CHV)
At home against DC. Maybe he'll get something going forward.
Tyrone Marshall (SEA)
Has done well defensively and offensively.
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (SEA)
I guess I just don't have much faith in FCD.

Midfield-
Javier Morales (RSL)
I like RSL at home.
Clint Mathis (RSL)
KC has been pretty good this year but RSL is a better team, and at home.
Jorge Rojas (NY)
Last week might have been a fluke, but I think that adding Celades might have changed this team for the better. Maybe Rojas can have another fabulous week. (Might have gone with Ljunberg here if I hadn't already used three Seattle players)
Mac Kandji (NY)
Listed as a midfielder but really more of a forward. NY is at home, but Houston should be tougher than SJ.

Forward-
Landon Donovan (LA)
Consistent scorer at home. (captain)
Juan Pablo Angel (NY)
At home with an improved team behind him.
Robbie Findley (RSL)
Another good goal-scorer at home.

Coach-
Jason Kreis (RSL)
I gave him the nod over Sigi because he is playing at home.

Comments, questions, suggestions? I have $35K in cap space and I feel like maybe I should have a forward on the bench instead of only midfielders. I was also thinking maybe about going with Angel instead of Montero. I also thought about adding Rojas or Ljunberg too. Any ideas anyone?