Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.comBy AVI CREDITOR
Could crashing out of the CONCACAF Champions League been the best thing that could have happened to the Los Angeles Galaxy?
In the big picture, of course not, but in terms of the team's Major League Soccer aspirations (and MFLS impact), having a less hectic schedule definitely helps keeps the stars and starters playing on a regular basis.
With the Galaxy's matchup against Kansas City this week, the full-strength Western Conference power gets a crack at home against an Eastern Conference minnow that is 1-6-2 and has mustered just four goals on the road. Start your Galaxy players with confidence this week.
That being said, here are this week's player rankings by position:
FANTASY MLS WEEK 22 PLAYER RANKINGS
GOALKEEPERS
Donovan Ricketts, LA - Already owns a clean sheet at Kansas City and gets another crack at the Wizards at the friendly HDC confinesMatt Reis, NE - Revolution are desperate for a top-notch effort at home against the Union, and it all starts with Reis in the backBouna Coundoul, NY - Will look to put the shackles on an improved Earthquakes attack at RBAWill Hesmer, CLB - Has a tremendous task in trying to stop Dallas, but playing behind a rested Chad Marshall and in front of the home crowd gives Hesmer an edgeNick Rimando, RSL - Will have to find a way to put the final 15 minutes of Wednesday night's loss to Cruz Azul behind himKevin Hartman, DAL - Hartman's been one of the top acquisitions of the season, but can he keep up his form with the schedule taking a turn for the worse?Zach Thornton, CHV - United's road scoring rate is not very appealingMatt Pickens, COL - Dynamo are a bit too inconsistent offensively, and Colorado has shown well defensively at homeStefan Frei, TOR - Best case scenario: Frei and the Reds capitalize on a demoralized RSL side after its Champions League fiasco Wednesday night Jimmy Nielsen, KC - Has already managed to keep the Galaxy off the scoreboard once this season, but that was at the narrow, Wizard-friendly CommunityAmerica Ballpark DEFENDERS
Sean Franklin, LA - Galaxy appear to have the best chance at a clean sheet this weekOmar Gonzalez, LA - With Gonzalez marking Kei Kamara, it'll take someone else to step up for Kansas City and its anemic offense (19 goals in 20 matches) to scoreTodd Dunivant, LA - Eyes a return after dealing with neck spasms that have caused him to miss the last two matchesDarrius Barnes, NE - Barnes-Danny Mwanga matchup will be one to keep an eye on, but the Revs get the edge at Gillette Chris Albright, NY - Brings an attacking aspect from the back that the Red Bulls had been lackingTim Ream, NY - Has meshed well with Carlos Mendes in central defense and will have to keep an eye on San Jose newcomers Geovanni and Khari StephensonChad Marshall, CLB - Rested and ready to roll in one of the marquee matchups of the weekRobbie Russell, RSL - Healthier option than Jamison Olave (knee sprain), has a pretty solid matchup and is the No. 1-scoring MFLS defenderHeath Pearce, DAL - Tough matchup against the Crew, but his offensive capabilities can't be overlookedJonathan Bornstein, CHV - Not a bad play considering he's at home against a weaker opponent and could see minutes in the midfiel! dMIDFIELDERS
Guillermo Barros Schelotto, CLB - Rested in Champions League play to spearhead the Crew's effort in a tough home match against streaking FC Dallas
Javier Morales, RSL - Salt Lake playmaker gets a crack at a fickle Toronto defenseMarko Perovic, NE - Listed as questionable on the injury report, but his home matchup against the Union is too good to pass up; He's already scored on the Union once this seasonSebastien Le Toux, PHI - Like Perovic, Le Toux scored the last time the Revs and Union metDavid Ferreira, DAL - MVP candidate should test normally disciplined Crew back line
Michael Stephens, LA - Has a nice home matchup with the Wizards to get involved offensivelyMarco Pappa, CHI - Disappointed with his two-game slate last week, but should be a big part of Chicago's lethal attack going forwardBrek Shea, DAL - Has scored at least four fantasy points in his last three matches
Dwayne De Rosario, TOR - Finally ended his goal drought with a score against New York last week, but it came in a three-goal loss; Could suffer the same fate against a potent RSL attackAlvaro Fernandez, SEA - The DP that could end up have the biggest impact on the anticipated Seattle-Chicago tilt at Qwest Freddie Ljungberg, CHI - The matchup Seattle fans have been waiting for ever since Ljungberg was shipped out of town Rafael Marquez, NY - Golazo at Toronto indicates that the real Rafa has arrived in MLSMehdi Ballouchi, COL - Offensively challenged Rapids should be able to rebound against shaky Dynamo DSteve Zakuani, SEA - Questionable on the latest injury report, but should still play and create headaches for Chicago's shak! y D Chris Wondolowski, SJ - Goals in two straight matches, eight on the year, for one of the biggest offensive surprises; Already scored on NY once this seasonFORWARDS
Edson Buddle, LA - Was held scoreless his last time out, but still has four goals in his last six matches; The closest the game has to a sure-thing in terms of goal-scoringLandon Donovan, LA - Where there's a Buddle goal, there's typically a Donovan assist to go along with itJuan Pablo Angel, NY - Nobody wants to make up for Red Bulls' embarrassing 4-0 loss at Buck Shaw Stadium than the then-ineffective AngelFredy Montero, SEA - New-look Chicago is improved, but that defense is its Achilles' heel and Montero should take full advantageConor Casey, COL - Tallied one of his four non-PK goals against Dynamo earlier this seasonAlvaro Saborio, RSL - About as consistent of a threat there is in the game, although Champions League minutes could take their toll on him this weekJustin Braun, CHV - Fantastic matchup for Braun to build on his already impressive campaignBrian Ching, HOU - Hat-trick hero looked rejuvenated last week against ChicagoThierry Henry, NY - All is good for Henry while NY is winning, but Henry's production needs to pick up before the inevitable questions get askedSteven Lenhart, CLB - With four goals in his last four matches, Lenhart is on a roll; Already owns an assist against FCD this seasonCOACHES
Bruce Arena, LAHans Backe, NYSteve Nicol, NEJason Kreis, RSLMartin Vasquez, CHVSchellas Hyndman, DALRobert Warzycha! , CLBSigi Schmid, SEAGary Smith, COLCarlos de los Cobos, CHISoccer By Ives League Standings (Top 10)
1. Cpt. Pancakes and Lt. Waffles.........563 points
2. Campione............................................562
3. I <3 MLS................................................556
4. FC Byrd Turgler...................................555
5. Yankee Racers...................................543
6. Skillz......................................................540
7. The Lanark Ave Creepers.................505
8. CleartheBall.........................................504
9. MassiveVictory.....................................502
10. Eves1..................................................500
LAST WEEK'S SBI LEAGUE TOP SCORER
Brooklyn Psychos (37 points)
------------------------------Rimando(0)---------------------------
--Marshall(6)------------------Ream(4)-----------------Riley(0)--
--Ljungberg(8)--Lindpere(3)--De Rosario(1)--Beckerman(0)--
--Kamara(13)-------------Cunningham(1)------------Casey(-2)--
Coach: Backe(3)
Soccer By Ives Prediction League Standings (Top 10)
1. The Cool Hands..............................356 points
2. FC Byrd Turgler...............................350
3. I <3 MLS............................................344
4. Ludacris Speed...............................340
5. The Royal Army................................338
6. Sonnenhof.........................................332
6. Gene's Old Boys..............................332
8. Morales' mullet................................317
9. Bluefish United...............................316
10. UTGunners....................................313
LAST WEEK'S SBI PREDICTION LEAGUE TOP SCORERS
The Royal Army (27 points: 1 exact, 3 correct margin, 2 correct)
Guillermo's Golazos (27 points: 2 exact, 1 correct margin, 1 ! blowout, 2 correct)
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Who do you think is in for a big Week 22? What's your lineup looking like?
Share your thoughts below.
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