NWSL Fantasy League- Season 2

I realize my question will be answered eventually by FL folks, but I wonder how they are handling the Friday match on May 23rd... will that be part of their Week 6 or the beginning of Week 7? It affects the Doublers (well Houston, and primarily the Red Stars, for me).

 

You'd also be setting your lineup with team news for half or less than half of the teams. Look at July where there are multiple weeks with one Wednesday match and no Thursday matches. Do you really want to set your lineup for four weekend games in the middle of the week with no team news for most of those games?

 

Thanks, BC.

 

Wow! Never done nearly this well, this year or last.

Week 5 Points 175.00
Week 5 Rank 175
Overall Points 291.00
Overall Rank 1299

 

Picked up 157.50 points this week which really wasn't good for me. Been keeping track of the front leading fantasy point leader and I fell behind by another 40 points. I'm still in the top 50 teams but the gap widened. Made some errors on who I wanted in my forward line up. Went for Adriana Leon instead of Jenn Hoy who was a giant fantasy stud this week. Captained Lauren Holiday who didn't have a bad week but Kim Little had a gigantic week and lead the league for points so I lost a ton of points to the leaders because of that. But these were the risks I took to try to close the gap to the front running leaders. Was really hoping for Holiday to be big this week and Chicago to get those 2 shut outs which they only got one.

I want to talk about picking defenders. If you look at the top 10 teams and check out their line up each week. You can see a wide variation of who starts there. In fact you don't normally see them stack defenders but go with the top point producers and try to get all of them in the line up. This is where you can feasible make ground on the top point teams in the fantasy league. Michelle Wenino had a giant week today, because she scored a goal and had a shut out. But you don't need to look for defenders that will score goals, you need to find teams that you think will get shut outs and get those defenders in your line up because if they do get a shut out. A shut out is worth 8 points to a defender and a goal is worth 7. So you can see if you had 2 defenders from the same team and they both get shut outs, you can make some good points and in essence these would be bonus points since your really hoping your defense helps you out with a shut out here or there.

Here are the matches for Week 6:

Saturday May 17
Washington Spirit vs WNY Flash - Sat 6:30pm

Sunday May 18
FC Kansas City vs Houston Dash - Sun 6:00pm
Boston Breakers vs Chicago Redstars - Sun 6:30pm

Wednesday May 21
Washington Spirit vs Skyblue FC - Wed 7:00pm
FC Kansas City vs Seattle Reign FC - Wed 8:00pm
Portland Thorns FC vs WNY Flash - Wed 10:00pm

Washington Spirit, FC Kansas City, WNY Flash have double games this fantasy week.

Washington- Spirit vs WNY Flash: This is a good match up for the Flash. Good chance to pick up a shut out here for the Flash.
FC Kansas City vs Houston Dash: Good match up for FCKC and a very good chance to pick up a shut out.
Boston Breakers vs Chicago Redstars: Good match up for Chicago and good chance for a shut out.
Washington Spirit vs Skyblue FC: Washington should be favored here. Its risky to take any defenders here since Washington is also playing the Flash this week. Better options elsewhere.
FC Kansas City vs Seattle Reign FC: This is a push. Hard to favor a team here since FCKC has been the only team that looked to push the Reign. No chance for a shut out.
Portland Thorns FC vs WNY Flash: I would consider this a push. The Thorns have been playing good defense but so have the Flash. If your stacking Flash defenders, there is a chance here that the Flash can pick up a double shut out.

Favorable match ups. WNY Flash with FC Kansas City next and then Washington, Chicago next.

Now I am going to talk about picks for your team and why you should carefully consider each one. There are times when you want to take a pick because the top fantasy owners in the league will be taking them. And these picks I would categorize as defensive picks. You take them because you can't afford to have those players have a great fantasy week and miss out on those points and because you know the other top fantasy teams will have them on their roster. Risk vs Reward picks are those that you are not following the pack with and are taking a risk, hoping they will have a big fantasy week. Jenn Hoy would of been those risky picks but worth while since both were on double games last week. Hoy was the real question since she hasn't scored until last week and got 2 goals. She was a big contributor to the top fantasy teams last week.

So now that I explained that, I'll provide a clearer break down of why I am picking some players and if I consider them a defensive pick or a risky pick.

Defensive picks:
Amy Rodriguez: On a double game this week and should provide good points.
Lauren Holiday: Double game and is a regular fantasy point contributer
Abby Wambach: Double game and good match ups
Diana Matheson: Double game with a good match up against Skyblue, not so much for WNYF
Kim Little: She is a fantasy stud, but is only playing one match this week but it is against Kansas City. I can see Little being picked up for this one match up since FCKC has not been good on defense. Normally I wouldn't want to take a single game midfielder, but Little takes all the spot kicks and against the FCKC defense, she could quite conceivably score on the run of play.

Risky picks:
Carli Lloyd: Even though she is on a double game with good match ups. She hasn't scored yet. Good Risk vs Reward pick.
Crystal Dunn: Potentially a good pick vs Skyblue but a bad match up against the Flash. Plus she is an allocated player.
Kelsey Wys: Will have to back stop for the Flash with Lydia Williams gone for the Asian Cup. Could potentially be very risky for fantasy owners.

Week 6 line up, bolded players are starters. 3-5-2 formation

Goalkeepers: Kelsey Wys (WNYF), Nadine Angerer (Portland)
Defenders: Brittany Taylor (WNYF), Nikki Phillips (FCKC), Leigh Ann Robinson (FCKC). Katherine Reynolds (WNYF)
Midfielders: Lauren Holiday (FCKC-allocated). Erika Tymrak (FCKC), Diana Matheson (Washington-allocated), Carli Lloyd (WNYF-allocated), Kim Little (Seattle), Christine Nairn (Washington
Forwards: Amy Rodriguez (FCKC-allocated), Abby Wambach (WNYF-allocated), Beverly Goebel (Seattle)

Lauren Holiday (Captain)

Had a very tough time deciding on a formation. Wanted to go with a 3-4-3 but went with a 3-5-2 because I didn't want to risk on going with a one game forward. Which probably would of been with Goebel. FCKC has not been defensively good this year so I expect some goals in their match with Seattle. But if I moved to a 3-4-3, I need to take out a midfielder, would this mean Kim Little should be taken out since she plays only one game this week. As for Kelsey Wys, I wanted to put Nicole Barnhart in there but trying to free up an allocated spot was very difficult. Should I take out Carli Lloyd? Then the question should be if I do who I do put in place of her? Or do I go with a 3-4-3 formation and pick up a single game forward. Hard decisions but going to take a risk on Carli Lloyd and hope she improves her game this coming week.

 

Week 5 Points 182.00
Week 5 Rank 107
Overall Points 596.50
Overall Rank 24

Moved up 11 places this week overall. The double games really help with boosting the score.

 

Got 158 points last week. My best week yet so far, but everyone else keeps having even better weeks...

 

My week 7 lineup... any glaring mistakes/MIA players? For example anyone have any idea why Allie Long didn't start last week vs. Houston?

 

Except next Monday.

 

My being a homer paid off for once - I had Jodie Taylor on my fantasy team. Hoping that own goal gets revised.

 

I would go if I was in the area.

 

Switched to a 4-3-3. Subbing out Long with Holiday, and Ocampo with McDonald

I'm personally going to stick with O'Reilly, since you never know. She's the shot/SOG leader for Boston, and though she might not get a lot of opportunities with the matchups coming up, she takes their penalties, and I'm a believer in generally having PK takers on teams. That said, I hope she scores a respectable 8 against FCKC (with Holiday scoring 8 in response ofc) and 0 against PTFC , keeping my backline clean .

 

Points for last week hasn't yet been updated, but hoping I did well. No shut out for that week as well so its all on who you captained and where the goals landed for your fantasy team. Went with a 3-5-2 formation and all 5 of my midfielders and both forwards had one goal a piece, so hopefully I can make some ground on the league leaders.

Edit: Needed to delete my previous post because I made a mistake, Thought Seattle was on a bye, they are not, playing WNY Flash.

Here are the match ups for week 7:

Friday, May 23
Houston Dash vs Chicago Redstars - Fri 8:00pm

Saturday, May 24
Portland Thorns FC vs Skyblue FC - Sat 10:00pm

Sunday, May 25
Boston Breakers vs FC Kansas City - Sun 7:00pm
Seattle Reign FC vs WNY Flash - Sun 7:00pm

Monday, May 26
Washington Spirit vs Houston Dash - Mon 4:00pm

Wednesday, May 28
Boston Breakers vs Portland Thorns FC - Wed 7:00pm
Skyblue FC vs Chicago Redstars - Wed 7:00pm

Houston Dash, Portland Thorns FC, Chicago Redstars, Boston Breakers and Skyblue are on double games.

With that said there are plenty of double games to get points in, its just choosing the right match ups to get goals and hopefully some shut outs to improve your fantasy points.

Houston Dash vs Chicago Redstars: Very good match up for the Redstars. Their defense is one of the tops in the leagues. Good chance for a shut out.
Portland Thorns FC vs Skyblue FC: Skyblue has been playing pretty good football of late, but against a strong side like Portland, they should have the edge especially with Angerer in goal.
Boston Breakers vs FC Kansas City: The Blues should have a decided edge in this match.
Seattle Reign FC vs WNY Flash: With 2 straight losses, this is probably a very tough test for the Flash to win. Seattle has the edge.
Washington Spirit vs Houston Dash: Spirit looked great in mounting the 2 goal comeback against Skyblue. They should have the edge, though I wouldn't say they will get the shut out. They do allow a lot of goals.
Boston Breakers vs Portland Thorns FC: Thorns have a big edge here and you should pick up defenders and Angerer if you can.
Skyblue FC vs Chicago Redstars: Redstars have the edge here. Their defense will stifle the Skyblue attack and they can get a win here as well.

-Pick up Portland and Chicago defenders and Angerer will be a big fantasy stud this week.
-Despite Skyblue playing 2 times this week, Portland and Chicago are all tough match ups for them. Be warned about taking any players for these match ups.
-Boston Breakers are in tough against Kansas City and Portland. The Kansas City defense hasn't been good, so they have a good chance to get a goal maybe 2. But a win is highly unlikely and Portland is such a hard place to score. Very bad match up for the Breakers.
-Houston will probably have their chances at Washington but Chicago will probably shut them out.
-Chicago has amazing good match ups with Houston, Skyblue and should get some goals. Picking up forwards and midfielders should be beneficial for your fantasy team
-Portland has a great match up against the Skyblue and Boston. Will Sinclair get her first goal here? She came close last match.
-Seattle probably won't get a shut out against the Flash. But with their leaky defense, there is a good chance for the Reign to get some goals.

Defensive Picks for this week:

Nadine Angerer: Double game, non-allocated superstar goal keeper. Nuff said.

Jenn Hoy: Double game, great match ups and is a shooter. So will get shot fantasy points.

Allie Long: Take PK's, shoots when she can and only Long and McDonald have scored for Portland all season.

Jessica McDonald: This is an almost must have because she is a ball hog. If Sinclair gives her the ball, she won't give it back, she will shoot rather then pass like last match, when Sinclair slotted her a pass and got herself wide open in the box and McDonald still took the shot.

Julie Johnston: If your looking for a defender to take. She is almost mandatory. On free kicks, she has a tendency to always get her head on the ball and get a shot off.

Kim Little: Probably have to slot her in since she has scored nearly every week she has played even on a single game week. Fantasy stud.

Risky Picks for this week:

Christine Sinclair: Does all the heavy lifting at forward, but no glory. McDonald has been the top target option so far but that isn't saying much since McDonald takes a lot of poor shots that she should rather pass. Sinclair has some good match ups. Can she score her first goal? If she does, she will be worth the pick up this week.

Abby Wambach: Does well against Skyblue. In fact she tends to dominate them. The problem for fantasy team owners, if she doesn't score, she is a huge bust for your side, but if she does score, she is worth the pick up for a single game.

Skyblue players: Because they are playing Portland and Chicago, 2 of the stingiest defenses in the league. There is a very good chance they could get shut out by them. If your looking for fantasy points and players that take a lot of shots, then Monica OCampo could be a good pick up, but she is a forward. Hard to justify using a slot when there are other better options.

Lianne Sanderson: If your looking at the best option for a Boston player, then she is it. She plays as a forward for the Breakers but you can get her as a midfielder in the fantasy line up. Could score on Kansas City, but highly unlikely the Breakers are breaking Portland's back line.

Amy Rodriguez: Like Wambach, Rodriguez is on a one game week, but her match up against the Breakers is a good one. If she even scores one goal, its worth the pick up but a bust if she doesn't.

Week 7 line up, bolded players are starters. 4-3-3 formation. Setting up in a 4-3-3 for a couple reasons. Didn't want to take many single game players from and from teamsthat the match ups were not favorable. Didn't want to use any Houston, Boston players so that left my line up fairly weak in the midfield. I could of added some Flash players in the midfield but that would be risky for a single game and if they didn't score, then costly as well. Diana Matheson was a big question mark for me. Against Houston, the Spirit should get their chances to score. And Jodie Taylor becomes also an option. But both are on single games and risky to have too many single game players in your line up. So I settled with one single game player and stacked my defense for shut outs. Risky since last week there were no shut outs, but the match ups dictate what I want to do, and the match ups predict some shut outs.

Goalkeepers: Nadine Angerer (Portland), Nicole Barnhart (FCKC-allocated)
Defenders: Nikki Marshall (Portland), Julie Johnston (Chicago), Michelle Wenino (Chicago), Samantha Johnson (Chicago), Leigh Ann Robinson (FCKC)
Midfielders: Allie Long (Portland), Lori Chalupny (Chicago), Kim Little (Seattle), Katy Freels (Skyblue)
Forwards: Jenn Hoy (Chicago), Jessica McDonald (Portland), Christine Sinclair (Portland-allocated), Amy Rodriguez (FCKC-allocated)

Nadine Angerer (Captain)

Remember even by taking Samantha Johnson, she has 2 chances to get a shut out, even if her team gets a single shut out this week, she is worth the pick up. That shut out is worth 8 points. She is actually a better bet then a single game player say Lauren Holiday although if she does score, then she is worth the pick up. Goal 7pts and shot 3pts.

Stacking 2 Portland forwards could be risky, but two good match up games, should give either good opportunities to score. Portland and Chicago back line fill out my hope for a shut out. Kim Little is my lone single game player and despite Vanessa DeBernardo playing 2 games, she isn't a shooter, she is a playmaker. So you can get assists with her but those extra phantom fantasy points through shots, DeBernardo doesn't shoot, she is a pass first player, so its not a wise pick up.

Again a risky line up I am using, any player who picks up a goal will be worth the pick up, since I am bypassing Boston and Skyblue players. This can back fire, but all you have to do is look at the match ups and it does make some sense. Good defenses will shut down a mediocre offense and both Boston and Skyblue have that sadly.

 

I managed to get about 90 points this week despite captaining McDonald and having Angerer as my goalkeeper. But at least I didn't captain her - that's -15 points right there after the Boston rout.

 

I feel your pain, Sister. Same thought processes here.

 

Well, if it's any consolation, almost half the fantasy participants picked Angerer this week ( http://nwslfl.com/fans.php ) and 16% had her as captain.