As usual, first comes the examination of the schedule. Houston is off this week, and both San Jose and Colorado play twice. Make sure you get your teams done today, so you don't miss out on players who play today. Next week, New England plays twice and Real Salt Lake and Toronto are off. Heads up, in week 30, only seven teams play, Chivas USA, Columbus, FC Dallas, Kansas City, L.A., San Jose (twice), and Toronto.I'm loading up on Colorado guys because they play two of the weaker teams in MLS this week. They have San Jose at home on Wednesday and Kansas City away on Saturday. I'm hoping that Burpo can get at least one shut-out and that Conor Casey and Omar Cummings get a bunch of goals between them. I think that it should be two wins for Gary Smith, maybe a win and a tie, so that should get me some good points as well.
Changes:
In: Sacha Kljestan, Chris Pontius, Gary Smith
Out: Matt Reis, Davy Arnaud, Steve Nicol
Goalkeeper:
Preston Burpo- He's not Colorado's usual number one, but Pickens is injuried. He is a nice pick up because he has a good shot at two shut-outs and you only have to pay the league minimum for him, 175K. He plays home against San Jose and away at Kansas City.
Defenders:
Eddie Lewis - Away at Columbus and listed as questionable on the injury list. If Columbus scores a bunch of goals, then it might be a good thing that he is not playing.
Omar Gonzalez - Away at Columbus. I don't like the match up, but I have decided to use my transfers elsewhere.
Kevin Alston - I have been banking a lot on New England lately and they have let me down. That is part of why I let go of Steve Nicol. The Rev's have Seattle at home. I'm not counting on a shut-out based on their recent form.
Midfielders:
Chris Pontius - Playing against San Jose at home, who will hopefully be a little tired from their game earlier in the week. I was thinking about Wallace or Gomez, but I was worried about cost (Gomez), minutes (Gomez), and position (if Wallace plays in the back).
Sacha Kljestan - After being invisible for most of the season, it seems like Kljestan might finally be working himself out of the slump. Playing at home against New york should give him plenty of opportunities for goals and assists.
Dwayne De Rosario - He has been pretty consistent. Chicago at home, however, will be a real test. The only consolation is that Chicago has not been especially strong at home.
Steve Ralston - Home vs. Seattle. Ralston seems to come to play in the big games and he has been pretty consistent this year. I think he should be able to manage some points against the Sounders at home. Sharlie Joseph is listed as questionable, it certainly help the team if he could play.
Forwards:
Luciano Emilio - Home against San Jose. I am counting on a least a goal here. D.C. desperately need points to make sure they stay in the playoff picture, especially considering New England has games in hand and they would be behind teams in the West for a wild card spot.
Conor Casey - Home against San Jose and then away against Kansas City. I really feel like Casey could have two multi-goal games this week. I hope he makes it happen, I could really use the points.
Omar Cummings - Same as above. I'd like to see at least three goals between the two of them. I'm always a little nervous about leaving donovan out of the line-up, but they are away at Columbus, so I think it makes sense.
Coach:
Gary Smith - I'm hoping for two wins, I'd settle for a win and a tie as long as there aren't too many cards.
Bench: Landon Donovan, Stuart Holden, 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- Preston Burpo (COL)
Defense-
Chad Marshall (CLB)
Jonathan Bornstein (CHV)
Wilman Conde (CHI)
Midfield-
Sacha Kljestan (CHV)
Christian Gomez (DC)
Chris Pontius (DC)
Steve Ralston (NE)
Forward-
Luciano Emilio (DC)
Conor Casey (C) (COL)
Omar Cummings (COL)
Coach- Gary Smith (COL)
Comments, questions, suggestions? I have $113K in cap space still. Thoughts, ideas anyone?
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