
So this is the last week, the last chance to move up in the standings. I'm currently sitting in 12th place, and if I have a good week and some other people struggle, then it is entirely possible to crack into the ten (and maybe higher). Here is my last team.
Every team plays this week, and Chivas USA plays twice this week. I think the best match up is LA at home vs. San Jose, I'd make sure I had three LA guys on my team. I think the best combination would be Ricketts, Donovan, and Beckham, but I also like Gonzalez, Lewis or any of the other starting defenders. I definitely pick up Arena as my coach as well, unless you think that Preki can lead his team to two victories this week. I also like Toronto at New York for Toronto's offensive players (mostly De Rosario). I went with both Montero and Ljungberg, I think that is a little bit risky because Seattle is already in and FC Dallas is fighting to get in, I just hope they play their best team and actually come to play.
Changes:
In: Fredy Montero, Freddie Ljungberg, Bruce Arena
Out: Sigi Schmid, Shalrie Joseph, Preston Burpo
Goalkeeper:
Nick Rimando- I'd prefer Ricketts, but i don't really have strong feeling about 'keepers for the other matches, so I am going to stick with Rimando. Real Salt Lake is playing at home, but Rimando will face two very capable forwards, Omar Cumming and Conor Casey.
Defenders:
Eddie Lewis - At home against San Jose. I got robbed of points last game when Lewis came out early (so he didn't get shut-out points), but I am hoping that he can contribute offensively this game since he is actually playing midfield and not defense.
Omar Gonzalez - He should play the whole game. He has started 29 games so far and has only missed a total of 28 minutes over that entire span. I'm expecting a shut-out.
Kevin Alston - Away at Columbus, tough match up. Only positive is that Columbus has already qualified for the playoff and New England will be playing to get in.
Midfielders:
Dwayne De Rosario - Away at New York, who have been terrible this season. Toronto also has to win to get into the playoffs, so that should provide extra incentive to score goals.
Sacha Kljestan - Two games this week, both against tough opponents. First they go away to Chicago and then they host Houston. If Chivas USA want the Supporter's Shield, then they are going to have to win both games. Kljestan has been great recently after being terrible for most of the season. Hopefully he can keep it up. He'll have to play a big part if Chivas are going to win both games.
Brad Davis - Away at Chivas USA, who should be a little tired from having played mid-week, (although the Dynamo had a game too). I'm not sold on this pick, but I think he is generally solid. It was a coin toss between Stuart Holden and him.
Freddie Ljungberg - At home against FC Dallas. I think this is kind of a gamble because Seattle is already into the playoff and FC Dallas will be coming out hard in order to try and qualify. I hope that Seattle plays their starters and that they really go out there to win the game.
Forwards:
Justin Braun - He's served well recently so I'm going to stick with him. It is also nice that Chivas USA have two games. Hopefully he will be able to score in one of them, even though he's facing tough competition.
Fredy Montero - Like with Ljungberg above, it is a bit of a gamble. I have him in instead of Conor Casey and Jeffrey Cunningham, who will be battling it out for the Golden Boot. They are both obvious choices, so I hope I will be able to pass some people in the standings with some of my unorthodox picks.
Landon Donovan - Great goal scorer at home against a weak team, this pick was a no brainer. He's my captain.
Coach:
Bruce Arena - Has done an awesome job transforming a dysfunctional team into a serious MLS Cup contender. They should be able to take care of San Jose at home.
Bench: Stuart Holden, Jeffrey Cunningham. Conor Casey
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- Donovan Ricketts (LA)
Defense-
Eddie Lewis (LA)
Jim Brennan (TOR)
Jonathan Bornstein (CHV)
Midfield-
Sacha Kljestan (CHV)
Dwayne De Rosario (TOR)
Freddie Ljungberg (SEA)
Amado Guevara (TOR)
Forward-
Maykel Galindo (CHV)
Landon Donovan (LA)
Fredy Montero (SEA)
Coach- Bruce Arena (LA)
Comments, questions, suggestions? I have $10K in cap space still. Thoughts, ideas anyone? As this is the last week, I would greatly appreciate any ideas that anyone has. I am really nervous about my picks, so please any suggestions would be awesome. Thanks!
No Cunningham? Dallas is going to leave it all on the field this week. A playoff spot is very reachable. And, considering Cunningham's recent form, he seems like a lock to me. Or, how about Findley? RSL still has a chance for a playoff spot and they face Colorado at home, where RSL has been nearly unstoppable (8-1-5). They have some of their biggest scoring margins at home. 17/25 goals for/against on the road for COL vs. 31/11 GF/A for RSL. You could easily swap Montero for Movsisyan or Findley.
ReplyDeleteOr even Jankauskas or Dhube from NE. Those are "unorthodox" picks too.
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