MLS Fantasy Top Tips
The new MLS season is upon us - and now you can play Fantasy Soccer with ESPN throughout the season. Here, our U.S. Editor, Jen Chang, reveals his top 10 suggestions for your team.
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Juan Pablo Angel is likely to pile up the fantasy points in 2008.
1. Juan Pablo Angel, Striker, New York
A close contender for the MVP award, Angel also had a tremendous debut season, finishing second behind Emilio in goals scored (19) but tallying more assists (5) in fewer games played. The fact that Angel takes penalties for the Red Bulls also reduces his fantasy-slump potential. If the Red Bulls land a true midfield playmaker, Angel's numbers might go up even more.
2. David Beckham, Midfielder, LA Galaxy
If he manages to stay healthy this season, Beckham is likely to make a huge splash in MLS fantasy terms. Expect a healthy number of assists from Mr. Spice who's likely to lead the league in that category or provide double figures at the minimum. He's also guaranteed to pull off the occasional long-range free kick special to pad those stats further. If he becomes the regular penalty taker as well, then Beckham's fantasy value could skyrocket.
3. Luciano Emilio, Striker, D.C. United
Last year's MLS MVP has a tough act to repeat following a rookie season that saw him nab 20 goals, but there's no reason why he can't do it. D.C. United is potentially an even more explosive offensive unit this year, with Argentine import Franco Neil and playmaker Marcelo Gallardo taking the pressure off Emilio and giving him a stronger supporting cast. Another 20-goal season is not out of the question.
4. Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Striker, Chicago
Blanco's arrival in MLS last season received less publicity than David Beckham's, but Blanco quickly proved to be a greater impact player, driving the Fire into the playoffs. In 14 games, Blanco had four goals and seven assists and would have had plenty more if the Fire had a forward that could actually put the ball in the net with any consistency. Blanco figures to put up similar numbers this season as he continues to adjust to the MLS style.
5. Pat Onstad, Goalkeeper, Houston
In fantasy terms, a great goalie makes for a lot of easy points. It's a no-brainer to look no further than Pat Onstad, veteran goalie for the best team in the league with the best defense. In 2007 Onstad recorded 11 shutouts and a microscopic 0.82 GAA (22 goals allowed).
6. Landon Donovan, Striker, LA Galaxy
Donovan is one of the few players in MLS with double-digit potential in both the goals and assist categories. Even in a down year for his team, he tallied 8 goals and 13 assists. The only downside with selecting Donovan is that he could miss playing time with U.S. national team duty.
7. Jose Burciaga, Defender, Colorado
Burciaga fell off the radar somewhat last season, losing his starting job with the Wizards and ending up with only 2 goals and 4 assists. However, for a defender those are strong numbers, and don't forget he had a stunning 8 goals and 8 assists in 2006 roaming from his left back spot. Expected to be a starter with new team Colorado, Burciaga could be a huge fantasy steal if he can approach some semblance of those numbers.
8. Taylor Twellman, Striker, New England
Provided he's not too disenchanted about not being allowed to move to Europe, Twellman should continue to put up the numbers as New England's focal point. He's scored 44 regular-season goals in the last three seasons, and remains one of the league's prime poachers.
9. Dwayne De Rosario, Midfielder, Houston
In real world terms, De Rosario is your man. A consummate pro and clutch player that's produced every time in a big game, he's arguably the one player in MLS that'd you want on your team with the game on the line. Having said that, in fantasy terms, he remains tantalizing. His numbers have gone down for three straight seasons from a nine-goal, 13-assist season in 2005, to just six goals and four assists in 2007. Even so, De Rosario is easily capable of producing double-digits in both goals and assists, but he's more of a gamble than some of the others on this list.
10. Marcelo Gallardo, Midfielder, D.C. United
Gallardo is a boom-or-bust pick in the sense that he's unproven in MLS and there'll be an adjustment period for him as a rookie. However, when you consider what his predecessor Christian Gomez did at D.C. (10 goals, nine assists in '07) in the same playmaking role that Gallardo will be used in, and the fact that Gallardo has more talent and a more accomplished background than Gomez, there's no reason to believe that Gallardo won't be able to replicate those numbers.
