Soccer By Ives

Fantasy MLS: Week 20

Photo by Stephen Brashear/ISIphotos.com

By ALAN LEDBETTER

When planning for each week of Fantasy MLS, there are many factors to consider. Then there are the things for which fantasy owners can't possibly prepare. Last week, Vancouver postponed its game vs. Real Salt Lake due to field conditions soon before the fantasy cutoff Saturday, which left many managers scrambling to find replacements for their players that suddenly weren't playing.

This week should make up for the lack of games and output last week, as there are five MLS games on Wednesday and many teams playing twice. Look to use a few transfers this week to get your optimum line up for this potentially high-scoring week.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 19

By ALAN LEDBETTER

A full week of MLS games made for a high scoring week last week. There is a much lighter schedule this week with no teams playing twice this week as many of them are engaged in the US Open Cup competition. Prepare a challenge to find the right starting lineup as most games are fairly even this week.

The most favorable matchup this week seems to be the DC United at FC Dallas game. FC Dallas has looked very impressive since Brek Shea has proved to be one of the most valuable players in MLS. Dallas should be able to handle DC even with the recent trades that seem to have rejuvenated the team.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 18

By ALAN LEDBETTER

Everyone had their doubts about FC Dallas after its star midfielder, David Ferreira, was injured early in the season. After another impressive win, FCD is proving to be the hottest team in MLS. Brek Shea has proved to be the spark in the offense that has replaced Ferreira as he has scored in four straight MLS games.

Another team that has found their form recently is Sporting Kansas City, which is unbeaten in its previous eight games. Surprisingly, much of the offensive firepower has not come from Teal Bunbury or Kei Kamara, but from rookie C.J. Sapong. Kamara and Bunbury have combined for three fantasy points over SKC’s unbeaten streak, while Sapong has recorded 19 points singlehandedly.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 17

 

By ALAN LEDBETTER

The Gold Cup is over and all players will be returning to their club teams this week from international duty. New York is especially glad to see their players return after being without their starting center backs for the duration of the tournament.

However, Rafa Marquez was injured in the Gold Cup final and will not be able to play this week. It has not been determined how long the Mexican captain will be out for.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

 

Fantasy MLS: Week 16

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By ALAN LEDBETTER

Many teams will be happy to have their players come back as the Gold Cup winds down. Only Mexico, Honduras, United States, and Panama remain in the tournament, and two teams will be going home after the semifinals are played on Wednesday.

While it'd be a risk to play any players from the potential semifinal losers, as they might not return to their clubs in time, players from teams that were eliminated over the weekend and before that should be fair game.

In MLS, there are many teams with multiple games and favorable matchups this week. With many points up for grabs, it is important to spend time on your team and be sure to make the right player decisions.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 15

Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com

By ALAN LEDBETTER

So much for that league-wide scoring drought.

Many players turned in big fantasy outputs last week as scoring picked back up in MLS.

For some teams, it was even hard to tell that stars were missing. With San Jose's main attacking threat, Chris Wondolowski, out for the Gold Cup, Steven Lenhart continued to play well at forward. He took advantage of the situation by scoring a hat trick, along with adding an assist in the Earthquakes' game vs. D.C. United.

Some players will be heading back to their club teams this week as their teams get knocked out of the Gold Cup, so be aware who progresses so you know if you can play your star players this week.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 14

By ALAN LEDBETTER

This past week in Major League Soccer was very low scoring, as many teams struggled to find the back of the net with their stars missing on international duty.

With a couple of more games on the schedule than usual and some lopsided matchups, this week could provide a return to high-scoring ways.

On of the headline matchups this week is Chicago at Sporting Kansas City. This is Sporting KC’s first home game, and it will finally show us how SKC players can perform when not on the road. If they end up performing well at home, SKC players will be stealth pickups the rest of the way because of the number of home games they have in the coming months.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 13

By ALAN LEDBETTER

The Gold Cup is upon us as many Major League Soccer stars leave their club teams to represent their country in the tournament.

With international call-ups affecting roster personnel for some MLS teams this weekend, it's important to know who won't be available for your roster selection. Look at the Gold Cup roster selections before selecting your team for this week.

There have been a few changes throughout the week since the rosters were initially set. The New England Revolution lucked out as Shalrie Joseph will be staying with the club team instead of participating in the Gold Cup. Benny Felihaber might not go either, but that's because he is nursing an ankle injury.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 12

Photo by Jose L. Argueta/ISIphotos.com

Week 11 in MFLS was a low-scoring one unless you happened to load up on Seattle and Portland defenders and goalkeepers. Aside from them, fantasy points were hard to come by.

The proof is in the results -- the leading point scorers for last week were Jeff Parke, Eric Brunner, Troy Perkins and Kasey Keller, who each posted seven points.

Don't expect a repeat performance in Week 12. With six teams having two matches apiece and some tantalizing matchups on the schedule, this week provides an opportunity to make up for lost points.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 11

Photo by Patricia Giobetti/ISIphotos.com

 
By ALAN LEDBETTER

Landon Donovan continued his strong form this past week with two stellar games. He was expected to put up big fantasy stats considering his schedule, but Justin Braun surprised us all by notching a hat trick against the New York Red Bulls. The Red Bulls had only allowed three goals on the season before last week’s game.

One thing fantasy managers need to be aware of this time of year is which players are likely to get called up for the Gold Cup. Be aware that many of the better players in the league could miss substantial time in June due to this tournament. Know which players are likely to get called up, and avoid picking up those players right now.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 10

Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com

By ALAN LEDBETTER

Another week has gone by and another playmaking midfielder has gone down with a long-term injury. With Real Salt Lake’s Javier Morales out of commission for a while, many fantasy owners will yet again be looking for another midfielder to take his place.

Last week also saw some stars continue to shine. Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan traded goals in the face off between New York and Los Angeles. After a slow start, these stars are becoming worth the high salary you have to pay to own them.

We have a full slate of games in Week 10, with many teams playing twice, so there are great chances to make up for last week’s low scores.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 9

By ALAN LEDBETTER

The Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas seemed unaffected this past week after the loss of their star players, but can their success continue on to the rest of the season?

This week, Seattle is one of four teams to play two games, so that means more opportunities for players to gain or lose points. Be aware that starting a player who has two games, but also has unfavorable matchups, could result in negative fantasy points. Make sure you're confident in both matchups your fantasy player has this week.

The highest-profile matchup this week is a clash between two big-market teams, the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls. These two teams both have offensive firepower and solid defenses. The history of this matchup has proven to have some exciting, high-scoring games. But along with that there have been many low scoring affairs. Be cautious when playing the stars from these teams as the game could go either way.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 8

 

By ALAN LEDBETTER

This past fantasy week was filled with star players coming back strong from nagging injuries, and others getting injuries that will keep them out for quite a long time.

Thierry Henry proved all doubters wrong again this week by scoring two goals and notching an assist in an away game vs. D.C. United. This was his second straight week of putting up big fantasy stats after a lackluster beginning of the season. Also, Landon Donovan returned from his injury with a stellar game vs. Portland, showing his 2010 form for the first time this year.

Long-term injuries to Steve Zakuani and David Ferreira are a major concern to many fantasy teams. There are still many great options in the midfield to replace these playmakers, and I will help you pick out the top replacements for them for this week.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

MLS Fantasy: Week 7

 

By ALAN LEDBETTER

When I said that New York would have a good match up against San Jose, I was not expecting Luke Rodgers to be the main beneficiary. Rodgers notched two goals and an assist in NewYork’s beating of San Jose causing many fantasy implications.

When the starting lineups for the game were announced, the many Juan Agudelo fantasy owners were left scratching their heads. It is still up in there air on whether Rodgers will get the start when they travel to DC for their Thursday night clash, but Agudelo became a pretty risky fantasy play.

Also, the Real Salt Lake vs. Philadelphia Union match that was schedule for this week has been rescheduled to aid RSL’s Champions League run. The two teams have had many players with major fantasy output for the year but you will be forced bench them for this week.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 6

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By ALAN LEDBETTER

How many fantasy managers gave up on David Ferreira one week too early? Last week was his breakout game for FC Dallas, which looked like the team we were used to seeing last year.

There are some other big names in serious fantasy droughts still. Landon Donovan has not scored in 994 minutes and picked up an injury that kept him out of the game vs. D.C. this past week. Los Angeles plays two games on the road this week, so fantasy owners are faced with a tough decision on whether or not to keep the high-salaried Galaxy captain.

Some other big-salaried players who have had to battle injury and have offered little fantasy output are Thierry Henry and Fredy Montero. We all know these players have the ability to score, but neither has found the net this season, and their droughts extend well into last season as well. I would drop these players to bring in someone who is in form this season.

Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:

Fantasy MLS: Week 5

 

By ALAN LEDBETTER

This is Alan Ledbetter, and I will be the SBI Fantasy MLS guru for the rest of the year. Why me you ask? I have been the SBI Fantasy MLS champion the past two seasons (once in MFLS and once in the old MLSnet.com).

Last year, my first year of MFLS, I finished fourth in the entire game in addition to my SBI League title, and I look to build on that performance this year. My fantasy team name is I <3 MLS, so see how you stack up against me this year.

I look forward to bringing you my insight and thoughts for the rest of the fantasy season.