By AVI CREDITOR
Call it a glitch, call it a technicality, but it's Week 2 in MFLS circles.
Week 1 (AKA Los Angeles' 1-0 win over Seattle) was pretty fruitless from a fantasy standpoint unless you started Juninho, who scored the only goal, or had the foresight to go with Josh Saunders as your goalkeeper.
Now the real action is set to begin. All 18 Major League Soccer teams will be in action between Saturday and Sunday. Here's what to look out for as you set your fantasy roster:
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. New England Revolution
After a gritty season-opening victory, the Galaxy should be closer to full strength (both Juan Pablo Angel and Omar Gonzalez are listed as probable for the match). New England yielded a league-worst 50 goals last season, and while the defense has been rebuilt with A.J. Soares, Ryan Cochrane and Didier Domi brought into the fold, the Galaxy should be able to find some goals at the Home Depot Center.
As will be the case most of the season, Landon Donovan, Angel and Gonzalez (assuming they are fit) are must-starts as are David Beckham and Sean Franklin. Juninho, A.J. DeLaGarza and Todd Dunivant all make for cost-effective starts if you're already active in the transfer market. If you happened to have started Saunders on Tuesday, it looks like it's 50-50 that he'll get the start again, and he would make for a strong goalkeeper play if he does.
FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire
The defending Western Conference champions open at home in the latest edition of the Brimstone Cup. While Chicago's defense was pretty stingy during the preseason, it's still going to be the Fire's first game that counts while trotting out Carlos de los Cobos' new 3-5-2 formation.
FCD might not run away with this one, but anything short of a victory would be a surprise. Considering Chicago's offensive deficiencies, FCD defenders (i.e. Jackson, George John, Zach Loyd) and keeper Kevin Hartman all make for strong plays. Stay away from Jair Benitez though -- he's suspended for the match.
Reigning league MVP David Ferreira is a must-start as usual, and newcomer Fabian Castillo makes for an intriguing sleeper pick at forward this week.
Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers
Portland is going to be a strong attacking side, and the Timbers could find some goals in their initial match as an MLS franchise; however, facing the defending champions on the road on national television is a tall task, and Colorado has a definitive edge in this one.
Conor Casey and Omar Cummings should slice up Portland's work-in-progress back line, and wingers Brian Mullan, Jamie Smith and Sanna Nyassi could be worth a look as well.
If you're hedging your bets with the Timbers, Kenny Cooper and Jorge Perlaza are the ones to watch from a goal-scoring standpoint.
INJURIES WITH FANTASY IMPLICATIONS
RSL defender Jamison Olave could miss a couple of matches after injuring his hamstring in CONCACAF Champions League play...Portland keeper Troy Perkins (knee) and midfielder Sal Zizzo (shoulder) are both game-time calls for the Timbers...Sporting Kansas City's Teal Bunbury (elbow) and Ryan Smith (knee) are both in for big seasons, but both are not expected to be ready for the team's opener at Chivas USA Saturday night...Houston veteran forward Brian Ching injured his hamstring at the end of the Dynamo's preseason and is expected to be out for the season opener against Philadelphia, as are midfielders Colin Clark (knee) and Francisco Navas Cobo (hamstring).
SBI LEAGUE STANDINGS
We'll update these after a full complement of matches have been played. Props to the 36 of you that started Juninho in Week 1.
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What's your lineup looking like this week? Who do you think will be the week's top scorer?
Share your thoughts below.
