MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 24 line-up

So there are two basic approaches to this week, you can try to load up on guys who play twice this week (Chivas USA, Real Salt Lake), or you can try and prepare for next week, when only six out of the 15 teams play (Colorado, D.C., FC Dallas, Kansas City, New England, and Toronto). I chose the latter strategy, since I am not too fond of the player options from Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake. Right now I have nine out of the 12 (11 starters and the coach) filled. The only issue is that Amado Guevara will probably miss that game due to World Cup Qualifiers. Inevitably some other guys will get suspended and injured, but I'll be more prepared than ninety percent of people. Last note about this week is that FC Dallas is off.

Changes:
In: Matt Reis, Steve Nicol, Rodney Wallace
Out: Jon Busch, Denis Hamlett, Cuauhtemoc Blanco

I trade Jon Busch for Matt Reis because the Revolution play at home against San Jose this week and then are one of the active teams next week with a home game against Kansas City. Two really weak opponents at home, nice. I traded Denis Hamlett for Steve Nicol for the same reasons as the goalkeeper swap. I had to get rid of Blanco because both Reis and Nicol are ridiculously expensive at 590K and 397K respectively. In fact Reis is the most expensive player in the game. I picked up Wallace because he is cheap and will play next week. I'll use the cap space and unload a mid-priced player to get an elite player next week.

Goalkeeper:
Matt Reis- The Revolution are at home against one of the worst teams in the league. New England has allowed very few goals at home and San Jose has a hard time scoring on the road. That combination leads to a good chance at a shut-out. Oh, and did I mention he plays next week at home against Kansas City, another team towards the bottom of the table.

Defenders:
Eddie Lewis - At "home" against Chivas USA. These games are usually intense, but L.A. has shown that it is in better form recently, despite Chivas USA only trailing by two points in the standings with three games in hand. I'm not counting on a shut-out, to the contrary, I think it could be a goal-fest, and I hope Lewis takes part in it.

Omar Gonzalez - Earlier in the year I would have put him behind Chris Pontius, Rodney Wallace and Sam Cronin in the race for Rookie of the Year, but I'm not so sure anymore. He might very well pass them all.

Kevin Alston - The injury report says he is out with illness. That's hard too interpret, hopefully he will be feeling better by this weekend so that he can take part in the game against San Jose. I hoping for a shut-out.

Midfielders:
Amado Guevara - Away against Seattle, that is a tough match. He'll also probably miss next weeks game with World Cup Qualifiers. Too bad.

Dwayne De Rosario - Like Guevara, tough game on the road in Seattle. Maybe he can start a new streak after not scoring or assisting last week. Big plus that he plays next week, even if it is an away game in Colorado.

Brad Davis - Away at Colorado. He got an assist last game, I'm hoping for some more production.

Marco Pappa - Pappa only has one assist over the past eight games. Chicago is at home against D.C. United this weekend. Chicago hasn't played particularly well at home and looked vulnerable last week, but D.C. has only won once on the road. It will be interesting to see how this one turns out.

Steve Ralston - He has produced consistently and this week he is playing at home against San Jose. I'm looking for him to get some more points. He is my choice for captain (Captain).

Forwards:
Landon Donovan - "Home" game vs. Chivas USA. He should be motivated and Chivas USA might be a little weary after their mid-week game. I always feel nervous when I choose someone besides Donovan to be my captain.

Fredy Montero - Needs to redeem himself after missing a penalty kick last week and getting a yellow card that forced him to sit out the following game. I think he should be able to manage something at home against Toronto FC.

Coach:
Steve Nicol - New England has only lost twice at home, and San Jose has not won on the road this year. This looks like a definite win for the Revolution.

Bench: Rodney Wallace, Conor Casey, Chris Pontius

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- Matt Reis (NE)
He's way too expensive, but I think he'll be worth it. Rimando would be my second choice with two games, but I'm not sure he'll get a shut-out in either, although Neither Kansas City nor Chivas USA are prolific scoring teams.

Defense-
Jonathan Bornstein (CHV)
Two games and he is a threat to get forward.
Jamison Olave (RSL)
Two games. Possible (though unlikely) chance of a shut-out in both.
Nat Borchers (LA)
See above. Clearly any NE choice in the defensive would be good too, but I wanted to use the three slots elsewhere.

Midfield-
Sacha Kljestan (CHV)
Got his first two goal last week after only an assist in all of his previous games. I wouldn't pay the 579K, but since this is a cap-less team I'll take a chance on him. He is playing twice this week.
Clint Mathis (RSL)
Would have gone with Morales, but he is listed as questionable, Will Johnson is another pretty good choice.
Steve Ralston (NE)
Home against SJ. (Capt)
Shalrie Joseph (NE)
I might have gone with Dube as my third guy from NE, but he is listed as questionable. Regardless I think you should have three guys from NE this week.

Forward-
Fredy Montero (SEA)
Home vs. TOR. Maybe consider Findley here instead because he plays twice
Landon Donovan (LA)
Things should be intersting against in-town(stadium) rivals.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto (CLB)
Away against NY. Hopefully he will be ready to play after coming off an injury with the game off last week.

Coach- Steve Nicol (NE)
This is to me as close to a guaranteed win as it will get.

Comments, questions, suggestions? I have $242K in cap space still. Thoughts, ideas anyone? I'm not completely sold on playing Marco Pappa and Amado Guevara, should I play my D.C. guys instead? Maybe Casey instead of one of them? Can you think of anyone else to get besides Wallace that is going to play next week? I'd have a budget of $417K, between the unused $242K and the $175K that Wallace costs.