MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 18 line-up

First off let's look at the schedule, FC Dallas, Kansas City, and Seattle are off this week. Chivas USA are off next week. There will still be guys gone for the Gold Cup, although some guys will be back since their teams were eliminated from the tournament. So this week's team has a little different look from previous teams, I am going to field a 3-5-2 line-up formation.

There are a few factors that drove me to this. First off, I don't really like my options for forwards. I was originally planning on playing Landon Donovan and Guillermo Barros Schelotto, but it looks like Schelotto might be struggling with strained hamstring, so he's on the bench. I also would have liked to pick up McBride, but I already have three Chicago players, all of whom I want to keep. Between guys missing for Gold Cup, injuries, and bad match ups, I didn't really like my options for strikers.

I decide to go with Cummings because he gave D.C. United problems last time they played. I was considering going with Moreno or Emilio, but both of them are coming back from injury and most likely won't go a full 90 minutes. In truth I may really be playing a 3-6-1 if Arena keeps Donovan in midfield like last week.

Changes:
In: Omar Cummings, Bryan Namoff, Denis Hamlett
Out: Dominic Kinnear, Freddy Montero, Stefan Frei

As much as I like Montero, he's off this week and then plays Chicago next week. His salary was just too much to keep on the bench considering those factors. Frei hasn't performed too well lately and I don't like his match ups going forward. I like Dominic Kinnear long term, but I didn't want to bet on them short-handed on the road vs. Toronto this week.

I needed to add a defender so I took Namoff, I was considering Brennan too. I'm not completely sold on Namoff because Colorado did well against DC last time they played (3-0, although it was at Colorado). He is also less likely to be able to get forward with Jakovic away with Canada at the Gold Cup. But DC is at home and they play San Jose next week.

I think that Chicago at home vs. San Jose is as close to a guaranteed win you'll get in MLS, even if Chicago hasn't exactly shinned at home. That's why I picked up Denis Hamlett.

I explained Cummings above. He and Namoff are to hedge each other. Hopefully I'll get points from one or the other, although none from both is very possible (but maybe I'll get lucky and both will score, I love those defender goals).

Goalkeeper:
Jon Busch - At home vs. San Jose, nice match up for Chicago and a definite shut-out possibility. I'm assuming he'll be availalbe because he has yet to miss a game for the Gold Cup, even though he is on the roster.

Defenders:
Bryan Namoff - D.C. is at home vs. Colorado. See longer explanation above.

Omar Gonzalez - L.A.'s defense has been pretty solid this year after an embarassing showing last year. Gonzalez is a big part of that, especially considering the time that Sean Franklin has missed due to injury. L.A. is away against New York, one of the worst teams in the league this year. Oh and some English guy is coming back to the team this week.

Kosuke Kimura - Colorado is away against D.C. I want another goal. Who would have thought that Kimura would be one of the highest points earners among defenders, fifth to be exact.

Midfielders:
Cuauhtemoc Blanco - Chicago is at home against San Jose. I was a little disappointed that there were no fireworks on the field last week vs. Columbus, but the Fire should be able to man handle the Earthquakes. On a general midfield note, I decided to go with all guys playing at home this week. I hope I don't regret leaving Davis out again like I did last week.

Dwayne De Rosario - De Rosario is facing his former team. He should be motivated to show well against them. The Dynamo will continue to be short key players, hopefully Toronto FC can take advantage of that at home.

Amado Guevara - At home against Houston. Guevara hasn't produced recently, but I can't put him on the bench because he's done so well for most of the season. Also a really good deal at only $241K.

Marco Pappa - Home against San Jose. Another steal at only $217K.

Chris Pontius - In my opinion the leader in the race for Rookie of the Year (if not him than Wallace). I'm hoping he can get some goals with Santino Quaranta away and Emilio and Moreno coming back from injury. Maybe he'll play up front this game.

Forwards:
Landon Donovan - Away at New York, who have been terrible this year. Donovan should be motivated to show that he is still the MVP of the Galaxy now that David Beckham is back. Although some excellent service from Beckham should help Donovan as well. I don't think all the tension off the field will hurt them on the field, but we'll see. (Captain)

Omar Cummings - He roasted D.C. United last time they played to the tune of two goals and an assist. I'm not expecting quite that impressive of a performance, but one goal is certainly possible. It's always hard for me to pick a guy playing against my home team. I just hope that Cummings is the only guy that scores for the Rapids and that D.C. scored more goals than however many Cummings gets.

Coach:
Denis Hamlett - At home against the lowly Earthquakes. I'm really counting on 20 points here.

Bench: Aaron Holbein, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Brad Davis

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- Jon Busch (CHI)
Home vs. SJ.

Defense-
Omar Gonzalez (LA)
Away vs. NY, LA is on a roll and NY is decidely not.
Gino Padula (CLB)
Home game vs. RSL, he should take more set pieces if GBS doesn't play.
Johnathan Bornstein (CHV)
Away vs. NE, My understanding is that he won't be with the Gold Cup, but if he is Shavar Thomas should be back so take him. NE is really struggling with injuries, absences, etc. Really testing the depth on a team that used to be considered really deep before all the problems.

Midfield-
Dwayne DeRosario (TOR)
Home vs. HOU
Amado Guevara (TOR)
Home vs. HOU
Chris Pontius (DC)
Home vs. COL
Cuauhtemoc Blanco (CHI)
Home vs. SJ

Forward-
Brian McBride (CHI)
Home game vs. SJ
Landon Donovan (LA)
Away game vs. NY
Omar Cummings (COL)
Away vs. DC

Coach- Denis Hamlett (CHI)
Should be an easy match up for Chicago.

Comments, questions, suggestions? I have $18K in cap space still. I'm not 100% sold on this week's line-up so if anybody has some suggestion I'd greatly appreciate them. Thoughts, ideas anyone?