GO TO MLS FANTASY SOCCER: MANAGER HOME
Reminder #1: The cut-off time to make roster changes is 15 minutes prior to the scheduled kick off of the first match of the week. This week, that deadline is 10:15 pm ET on Friday, Nov. 2.
Reminder #2: Eight different teams play in Round 35. Only the first leg of the Conference Semifinals will count in this round.
Top Player in Round 34: Will Bruin – 11 points
The Knockout Round is over and now we move on to the first leg of the Conference Semifinals. Everyone gets eight transfers this round, but use them wisely, because next round you only get one. Look to grab those players who will get you points in both rounds so that you do not have to take the deduction for extra transfers when the second leg begins. Put your focus on clean sheets and goals, so if you think shutouts will be hard to come by, stack your team with offensive juggernauts.
As always, pay attention to this week’s injury report. There are no suspensions to report. Good luck everyone!
Kenny Cooper, $8.2m, New York Red Bulls (152 points, fifth among forwards)
Cooper has been on the Dream Team six times this season – the same amount as Landon Donovan and Chris Wondolowski. D.C. United aren’t the toughest of defenses to face, having allowed 43 goals in 34 games. King Kenny is a threat to convert on penalty kicks as well. His 18 goals were second-best among all players this season, so expect the Red Bulls to make it a point to get him the ball inside the box.
Michael Gspurning, $6.0m, Seattle Sounders (108 points, 8 clean sheets)
Gspurning has played the full 90 minutes on 20 different occasions in 2012. Out of those 20 games he’s recorded eight clean sheets. The Sounders have faced Real Salt Lake three times this season, and in those three games only one goal was scored. They recently played to a 0-0 draw on Oct. 17 in Seattle. Gspurning has a 0.73 GAA, good for best in all of MLS. Start him with confidence this round against a RSL side that sometimes struggles to find the back of the net away from home.
Landon Donovan, $10.9m, LA Galaxy (169 points, third among midfielders)
The Earthquakes defense is certainly not impenetrable, and if there’s any team who can put together a flurry of goals in a hurry, it’s the LA Galaxy. Donovan may not know his future soccer plans once the playoffs are over, but you better believe he’ll do everything in his power to bring home another title to LA before he goes public with his decision.
Brad Davis, $10.1m, Houston Dynamo (190 points, second among midfielders)
Davis was impressive for Houston in the Knockout Round with 10 total points, the second-most of any player on the pitch. This round they play Sporting KC at home, which is why he’s worth starting yet again. Davis has eight assists at home this season and Houston’s defense has been just as good. Davis will be Houston’s key to success if they want to get on the board against a very stingy defense.
Nick Robles, $4.8m, New York Red Bulls (21 points, 360 minutes played)
The Red Bulls have given up the second-most goals (46) of any team to make the playoffs and they’ve struggled to keep the same guy in net. The good news, though, is that Robles has played well since joining the team. He only costs $4.8m, which will give you the option to use the extra money elsewhere. Check out his stats below because he might just be a better deal than you think.
2012 Statistics – 4 games played, 2 clean sheets, 37 recoveries, 9 saves and 21 total points.
