The transfer window has slammed shut as MLS teams who needed defenders brought in wingers and clubs in desperate need of creative midfielders decided they were satisfied with their mediocre attacking options and did nothing. Still, a few of these moves may prove immediate dividends for the teams making them.
No question, DC United will look like a soccer team as the front office begins the process of proving to fans they’ve mistreated for the first 2⁄3 of the season that supporting the team is worth it with the additions they have made. Minnesota United has never been able to defend but their recent woes at scoring led them to overpay for Ethan Finlay, a player who so capable of scoring that he has one goal with one assist this season.
Fans of teams who have made changes will have opportunities to have their hopes mercilessly crushed as the season winds down and fantasy owners will get a chance to join them in getting let down at least this weekend. On one hand, Managers may be averse to starting their newly acquired players and those players could feature on the bench this weekend.
Anyway, onto the Rekrap...
An MVP level performance
Don’t get me wrong, Miguel Almiron is having an amazing season and is giving MLS MVP voters a lot to think about when they cast their ballots. But David Villa put the entire NYCFC team on the back of his 5” 7’ frame and basically beat the NY Red Bulls single handed. In a weekend where there were a lot of weird players in the dream team, Villa scoring 21 points essentially saved my week and actually put me in the green arrows.
Nikolic? More like Nickelback
Never made it as a wise man, I couldn't cut it as a poor man stealing, tired of living like a blind man, I'm sick of sight without a sense of feeling, and this is how you remind me, this is how you remind me, of what I really am... A points chasing fool that thought: “hey, the season’s goals leader must be due for a big game against the awful New England Revolution he should be my captain too.” I’ll have the quesadilla.
Smells like someone did a number 3
The most surprising stat from the weekend was the three assists dropped by Patrick Doody. The Revs played like they were taking the Browns to the Super Bowl and Doody was there to deploy the USS Brownfish against them and scored 15 points along the way.
Rekrap’s Roster
It will be tempting to bring in some of the shinny new toys that have come into the league, but for now I’m going to hold off until next week. For now here is how I am going to set up my team going into this weekend:
I think this is going to be a tough week with some weird results again. The three defenders and keeper I have basically reflect who I think is in for a cleansheet and I think those are the best options on those teams unless you want to spring for Chris Hedges. For some alternatives at midfield look at Justin Meram, Victor Vazquez, Romain Alessandrini, Haris Medunjanin, or for a cheaper option look at Diego Fagundez. There are some other decent options at forward including Jozy Altidore, Mauro Manotas, Maxi Urutti, or if you want to take a risk against SKC who played a midweek game that went to extra time, Clint Dempsey and Will Bruin might pay off.
Rekrap’s Rejects
Aside from players transferred in on short notice, I really don’t like any of the away teams this week except for Montreal who I think will be in a high scoring game with Philly.