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This week's headlines are big. New stadiums, new regular season champions, etc. But will the big news have a big effect on the fantasy game? There are only two weeks left in the MLS regular season, so we'll have the answer before long. Here's the rundown on the stories, and how I think they might influence your team or league.
The news: U.S. national team qualifies for final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying
Fantasy effect: The effects of the demolition of Cuba -- well, of their soccer team, at least -- were immediately seen, as Bob Bradley sent several players back to their clubs before Wednesday's meaningless match at Trinidad & Tobago. Landon Donovan, fresh off a solid 90-minute performance at RFK Saturday, helped the Galaxy off the bench just 24 hours later in the City of Angels. Brian Ching has also rejoined the Dynamo, though he didn't play in the champs' scoreless draw with D.C. United Sunday. FCD scoring machine Kenny Cooper finally got a call up to the national team, but fear not Hoops fans. He declined the invitation due to some injury concerns and the importance of his club's remaining matches. A gutsy move, and one that I hope doesn't hurt him down the line.
The news: Crew clinch Supporters' Shield
Fantasy effect: It's tough to say how this will affect Columbus, which still has two games left to play in the regular season. Will coach Sigi Schmid give MVP front-runner Guillermo Barros Schelotto and some of his other stars a bit of a break before the postseason, or will he want to keep his side intact in an effort to build momentum? My guess is that Schelotto will still see some action, though I'm expecting it to be somewhat limited. Be careful about keeping him on your roster, and the same goes for Robbie Rogers and Alejandro Moreno.
The news: Rio Tinto opens in Salt Lake City (or nearby, anyway)
Fantasy effect: Personally, I think it's kinda weird to open your new stadium with only two home games left in the season. However, it can provide great motivation for a club desperate to see some playoff action. The crowd at Rio Tinto was energized and inspiring in Thursday's draw with New York. The players will look to give them even more to cheer about next weekend when FCD visits. Then it's off to Colorado to close the regular season, but with that shiny new home just begging for more action, RSL will be pressing hard to make the postseason a reality at last. Long story short: these guys are going to be motivated, which should motivate you to put them in your fantasy teams.
The news: Steve Ralston suffers broken leg
Fantasy effect: Sell Steve Ralston. OK, you knew that already. But I think this could have a larger impact still. Losing your captain so late in the season can be pretty devastating, and it may be too much for New England to overcome. This is a team that is winless in its last four matches, and doesn't appear to be nearly as powerful as its counterparts from recent years. And how will the forwards cope with the loss or Ralston, who is the MLS all-time leader in assists? Maybe it won't bother them ... but maybe it will. For my money, I'd rather have Brian McBride (Chicago Fire) over Taylor Twellman any day.
WOW (Worst of the Week) Award
A pair of Wizards share this week's honor, and they're both recent forward acquisitions. Maybe their former teams had the right idea in shipping them off. First up is Herculez Gomez, who gets a WOW Award for his late, blatant hack on Ralston, which resulted in a broken fibula. Not cool, Herc. Joining Gomez is Abe Thompson, who somehow managed to miss a completely open goal from two yards. Yes, two yard. That's just plain pathetic. See for yourself.
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There are only a few more weeks on the MLS schedule, and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Columbus, New England, and Houston will almost certainly be there. Chicago and Chivas USA are also in good positions. Then things really get interesting.
The news: "Wild Card" playoff spot up for grabs
Fantasy effect: If the season ended today, D.C. United would back into the playoffs by virtue of having a better record than the fourth-place team in the Western Conference. But their two-point margin is razor thin. With the CONCACAF Champions League also on the calendar, it's not going to be easy for the Black-and-Red. Their depth will be tested, which means you have a perfect opportunity to stockpile a few precious points from bargain buys. Then again, you may be of the opinion that your bucks are better spent in those chasing down the four-time MLS Cup champs.
The news: Donovan hat trick helps L.A. to huge win
Fantasy effect: The U.S. national team star struck three times against the aforementioned Black-and-Red Saturday, giving the Galaxy their first win since the middle of June. Yes, June. If ever there was a team that could stink for almost the whole season and yet get hot at the right time, it would be this one. Hey, they did it a few years ago in 2005, right? Landon is well on his way to a Golden Boot, and this is around the time when he tends to kick things into high gear. And with David Beckham, Eddie Lewis, Edson Buddle and others on his side, anything can happen.
The news: Ike disrupts Quakes-Dynamo showdown
Fantasy effect: By the time this game does take place on Oct. 15, having been rescheduled in the wake of Hurrican Ike, it's possible that the Dynamo could be cruising towards the top seed in the West. San Jose, though, could well be in the middle of the hunt for that last playoff spot. Having gone unteaten since Fourth of July weekend, this is an expansion team that may be able to deliver playoff soccer in its first season. Frank Yallop knows how to get a team ready, so you can feel confident picking San Jose players for your fantasy team too.
The news: Blanco quits Mexico
Fantasy effect: Seeing as Cuauhtemoc Blanco has barely had an effect on the Fire since the early weeks of the season, it probably won't make much difference that he can now focus all of his soccer attention on the Fire. Judging from their 4-1 shallacking at home Sunday by FC Dallas, it could be a tough home stretch for the Fire. Brian McBride is a safe bet to produce for you, but be cautious when it comes to the rest of the team, especially Temoc (who is a dirty, cheating, whining, provoking hot-head anyway).
WOW (Worst of the Week) Award -- Did you happen to see how the Revs-Rapids game ended Saturday? Let me refresh your memory. Colin Clark was just about to head in on goal uncontested when referee Michael Kennedy blew the full time whistle. What a joke. The Rapids were not impressed, and neither was I. For that, Mr. Kennedy, you're the Worst of the Week. I expect more from the Kennedys.
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There's no doubt that one of the biggest issues in MLS these days is the schedule. For starters, stadium availability and other concerns mean the season does not line up with most others internationally, and that leads to innumerable conflicts in so-called "international fixture weekends." These FIFA-designated dates see most of the world's leagues come to a pause so that national teams can compete with their best players. Not so in MLS. Add in additional matches from tournaments such as SuperLiga, the U.S. Open Cup, and the CONCACAF Champions League and you're left with a whole lot of games in not a whole lot of time. The evidence is below.
The news: World Cup qualifying kicks into high gear
Fantasy effect: Some 32 players from MLS were called to their respective national teams for duty last weekend, leaving many clubs having to make due with what was left over, especially when you factor in injuries. Toronto FC was so decimated that they actually asked the league to postpone their game, which was never going to happen. The worst part about this for the fantasy player is trying to keep up with who is being called up. And what if you have more than four players you need to replace? Then you must prioritize, choosing to swap out players in the positions that have the best chance to earn you points. Start at forward and work your way backward.
The news: D.C. United win the U.S. Open Cup
Fantasy effect: The Open Cup is a tournament that most MLS teams don't pay much attention to, at least not until the semifinals. United, though, took the competition more seriously this year than they have in the past, and they ended up as champions for their efforts. Unfortunately for the Black-and-Red, the Open Cup may have also come with a high price, as striker Luciano Emilio aggravated a groin injury and could be out for a while. One would think that picking up a trophy could motivate this up-and-down team for a late-season and post-season run, but we'll have to wait and see. D.C. followed up their title-clinching victory with a road loss to the San Jose Earthquakes, with Emilio unavailable. Proceed with caution if you're considering buying D.C. players.
The news: CONCACAF Champions League opens as Chivas, Revs bow out early
Fantasy effect: This new competition is yet another example of a major scheduling headache, as it falls at the tail end of the MLS regular season and potentially beyond for those "lucky" enough to earn a spot in it. Chivas USA and the Revolution both exited after just two games, as the U.S. sides were thoroughly embarassed by teams many believed to be inferior. Now they'll turn their attention back to the most important matter: getting into the playoffs. D.C. and Houston will each play at least six games in the Champions League over the next two months, including three on the road for each side. All that travel and those extra games could be very tough to cope with, thus tiring out (and potentially even injuring) some of your fantasy go-to guys. Roster depth will be tested: both in reality and in fantasy.
The news: Wizards stock up on forward talent
Fantasy effect: This one has nothing to do with scheduling conflicts, but it still deserves some attention. A pair of trades have brought Herculez Gomez and Abe Thompson to the Wizards, and coach Curt Onalfo is surely hoping that one or both can get hot at the right time. With 24 goals scored, only the expansion Quakes have produced less offense. Defender Jimmy Conrad is still the team's leading scorer with five goals. But it's not as though their weren't already some very talented forwards on this team, including former internationals Claudio Lopez (Argentina) and Josh Wolff (USA). If you are looking to fill a third forward slot on your fantasy team, perhaps giving Gomez or Thompson a run will pay dividends. But for your team and the Wizards, it may just be too little too late.
WOW (Worst of the Week) Award: Sorry to pile it on, Fabian Espindola, but in addition to having a goal disallowed and then breaking your own leg celebrating it with a backflip, now you've earned this week's WOW Award as well. I was right in last week's Fantasy Pro blog when I stated that Kreis would stick with Espindola, but I don't remember Jason ever snapping his own leg with his acrobatics.
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Much of the big news coming out of Major League Soccer over the last few weeks has emerged from the Golden State. Lets take a look at how it can affect the fantasy game.
The news: Lalas and Gullit get the boot, Arena arrives at Galaxy
The fantasy effect: This is an interesting one. There can be almost no doubt that in the long run this move will be better for the club, but is it too little too late for 2008? Could be. Expect Arena to make a lot of changes between now and the start of the 2009 season (see below for one of his first), but with L.A.'s salary cap situation what it is, and with the international transfer window closed, there isn't too much the former U.S. boss can do between now and the start of the postseason. This team's offense is capable of scoring tons of goals, but their horrendous defense makes it hard to win a lot of games.
The news: L.A. signs Lewis, trades Ruiz to Toronto
The fantasy effect: Rumor has it that "El Pescadito" is not happy about being shipped off to Canada. He apparently hadn't joined his new team in time to play Saturday against New England, though he had plenty of time to make the trip following the Guatemala vs. U.S. World Cup qualifier Wednesday night. An unhappy Ruiz is usually an unproductive Ruiz, so go "fishing" at your own risk. On the flip side, Lewis will provide a great left side option opposite David Beckham on the right. That's assuming that Lewis is able to shake off a concussion received in a brutal foul from a Guatemalan defender in the aforementioned match in Central America.
The news: Quakes unbeaten in six, Chivas USA winless in six
The fantasy effect: Talk about teams heading in opposite directions! Frank Yallop has made some great moves to potentially save the "new" Quakes first season. Darren Huckerby has been the big spark, and the rest of the team has responded. Meanwhile down in L.A., Preki's team is looking pretty pedestrian. San Jose is now only two points behind three teams (including Chivas) and definitely in the playoff hunt. Basically what I'm saying is sell the goats and hold on to (and during) the Earthquakes.
The news: Schelotto leads league in assists, Conrad leads Wizards in goals
The fantasy effect: Buy Schelotto. Buy Conrad.
The news: RSL acquire Clint Mathis
The fantasy effect: It all depends on if you're brave (or is it stupid) enough to give the Georgia boy one last chance. Again.
WOW (Worst of the Week) Award: Congratulations to Rohan Rickets in Toronto for winning this week's award. The Englishman had two huge chances to give his team a win at home against the Eastern Conference-leading New England Revolution Saturday, badly missing on both. Why is this such a big deal? Because he's on my fantasy team!
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Two-thirds of the 2008 Major League Soccer season is in the books and things are starting to get very interesting. Just as time is running out for the bubble teams to secure a spot in the postseason, the fantasy game is also rapidly approaching its climax. But there's still time, so make catch up on the news, make your trades and start making your move.
The news: Eastern Conference race tightens
Fantasy effect: With all seven Eastern Conference teams separated by just eight points, it should be a thrilling final stretch. That amount of parity will also bring an even higher level of intensity to just about any all Eastern battle, as the difference between a win and a loss at this point could mean much more than just two points. My advice is to plan to have more Eastern Conference players on your side, as those are going to be the hungriest to make a difference and control their own destinies. And since the Eastern Conference is clearly the stronger of the two, that's where more of the quality players lie anyway.
The news: Toja out, Cunningham in, Cooper staying put at FCD
Fantasy effect: Apparently everything's bigger in Texas, including the action in the summer transfer window. Juan Toja has departed for greener pastures (do they have green pastures in Romania?), but marksman Kenny Cooper is staying put, at least for now. Joining the future U.S. national team standout is Jeff Cunningham, who was shipped down south from Toronto FC. Expect to see Cunningham have an impact pretty quickly; the veteran striker knows how to score goals in this league. My call is that this team is going to finish in the top two in the West.
The news: Crew acquire Noonan
Fantasy effect: Basically, the effect here is that Pat Noonan will make the Crew a better team. A versatile attacking player, Noonan was unceremoniously traded by the Revs after coming back from a short stint abroad, so I'm sure he feels he has something to prove. I predict that he will score against his former team when they meet on Sept. 6. And when Robbie Rogers gets back from Beijing, the Crew could field one of the most skillful midfields in the league.
The news: U.S. Olympic team off to good start
Fantasy effect: It may not be three and out for the Red, White, and Blue in Beijing, as the Americans have earned four points through their first two games thanks to a win over Japan and a draw with the Netherlands, a serious medal contender. While it's good news for U.S. soccer, it's not particularly great for those teams who are missing their players. And should they advance to the medal round, how will the young U.S. players (plus old U.S. player Brian McBride) adjust to coming back to MLS after such an experience. Beware of the Olympic hangover.
The news: Revs win SuperLiga
Fantasy effect: None. Until proven otherwise, they are still the MLS version of the Buffalo Bills.
WOW (Worst of the Week) Award: The honor this week goes to D.C. United, the Black-and-Red getting gored viciously by the Red Bulls on Sunday evening at the Meadowlands. The visitors couldn't string five passes together and were totally lost without Jaime Moreno in the second half. Marc Burch must have set a new record for giveaways out of the back, and Zach Wells didn't do himself any favors if he wants to hold on to the starting job. It was just an overall pitiful performance by D.C. United, a team that may have had more than just one eye on Tuesday night's U.S. Open Cup semifinal against the Revs at home.
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The All-Star Game is behind us, several clubs have brought in new blood, and believe it or not, fall is right around the corner. That means the focus is renewed and it's full speed ahead in Major League Soccer, and it's no different in the fantasy game. Lets get to the news -- and more importantly, the effects.
The news: MLS All-Stars defeat West Ham 3-2
The effect: The result shouldn't have come as much of a surprise to anyone, as West Ham is hardly a world power, even when they're not in preseason mode. But the game did turn out to be entertaining, and that's really what it's all about. One thing that I noticed was that Christian Gomez (Colorado Rapids) was employed in a bit of a more forward position. Hopefully Fernando Clavijo was watching, as Gomez's attacking prowess is being under-used in the Mile High City. That may be changing. Also, Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire) looked great. I still hate him, but his skill is excellent. Word on the street is that his Fire teammate Chad Barrett could be heading north of the border, and I think that may be a good thing for Temoc. My sense is that the veteran Mexican doesn't think too highly of the young American. Also of note, no D.C. United players were in the All-Star Game. The Black-and-Red got smacked by Houston the day before the big event, so they should have plenty of motivation to get things going again after the break.
The news: MLS players heading for Europe? Americans return home?
The effect: The rumor mill is churning on high these days, but it seems pretty likely that a number of MLS regulars are soon to be heading overseas. FC Dallas could be the hardest hit, as both Juan Toja (Steau Bucharest) and Kenny Cooper (Rosenborg) could soon be on one-way flights from DFW. Obviously this could be some serious bad news if you've been using Cooper to pad your point total. And with Toja gone too it's possible that this whole team could sort of unravel. If both leave, I'd be very cautious about picking up any Hoops players. Brian McBride is almost definitely going to eventually end up in Chicago, and that's great news for Fire fans. And as stated above, that acquisition probably means Barrett is off to Toronto, though I expect the Blanco-McBride tandem to be more effective anyway. Robbie Russell has also arrived in Salt Lake City. He loves the ABBA song "Take a Chance on Me," so you might just want to do that.
The news: Claudio Reyna retires.
The effect: The entire Metro New York area yells, "It's about time!" Reyna's stay in MLS was nothing short of a monumental disappointment, which is pretty much synonomous with "New York MLS team." Oh, the effect is supposed to be about fantasy soccer? Got it. With Jorge Rojas and Juan Pietravallo already on the side and already contributing, Reyna's playmaking and holding midfield roles have both already been filled. That doesn't mean you shouldn't expect to see more changes coming from Juan Carlos Osorio. And that, in turn, doesn't mean anything's going to change. It never does for this team.
WOW (Worst of the Week) Award: Congratulations ESPN commentator Rob Stone; you are the big winner this week. The veteran broadcaster's color piece from the All-Star Game during which he sampled the BMO Field eats was not very appetizing. Seeing "Stoner" spit corn all over the concourse didn't do much to improve my enjoyment of or knowledge about the All-Stars or West Ham. A special honorable mention must also go to John Harkes, who suggested that the producers keep Stone's microphone open so that we could listen to the rest of his eating exhibition. No thanks.
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Welcome back to another edition of the news and notes column. There's much to cover, so off we go.
The news: SuperLiga starts
The effect: The supposedly meaningful games between MLS and Mexican club teams don't count for anything when it comes to the fantasy game, but they can still give you some insight into several teams and key players for the future. No manager -- whether of the fantasy or the real variety -- wants to see an important player go down with an injury during the competition. The first goal in the tournament is probably just to stay healthy. However, it does provide high-quality competition, so it's a good way for a team to continue to grow in confidence and work out some kinks before heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Just look at the first night of the tournament for proof: D.C. United played well, created chances, and were unlucky not to earn at least a draw. Houston saw its offense come alive en route to a 4-0 win. If that continues, look for the reigning MLS Cup champs to turn things on when they get back to business on the home front.
The news: Real Salt Lake sits atop the Western Conference
The effect: Despite playing on what is obviously the worst surface in MLS, Real Salt Lake is actually a decent team to watch these days. I know, it's hard to believe. But with Javier Morales pulling the strings and a bevy of forwards scratching for goals, the club is in serious playoff contention for the first time ever. The West is much weaker than the east as a whole, but as their 2-0 victory over the Columbus Crew -- holders of second place back East -- showed, they can compete with anybody. I've long been singing the praises of Morales, and I'm standing by that assessment. Speedster Robbie Findley is also a good value, while Nick Rimando is among the goalkeeping leaders in Fantasy Pro with nearly 200 points earned so far this season. Pretty surprising, isn't it?
The news: Transfer rumors swirl as summer window opens
The effect: It seems like there could be quite a bit of movement in MLS this summer with some talent heading out and plenty of fresh faces rumored to be on their way in. A few to keep your eye and ears open for: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), who could be heading to England; Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles Galaxy), who could be traded, loaned out, or staying in Lala(s) land; Brian McBride, who may or may not be joining the Chicago Fire after talks with the league have apparently stalled; Jorge Rojas and Juan Pietravallo, who are soon going to be starters for the New York Red Bulls; and the likes of Nate Jaqua and Josh Wolff, American goal scorers who are possible (Jaqua) and definite (Wolff, Kansas City Wizards) MLS returnees. Expect just about all of the players coming in to be able to make an impact.
The news: MLS All-Stars set to face West Ham
The effect: At least when Fulham came a few years back there were a few Americans and former MLS players on the roster to make that game somewhat interesting on paper. But West Ham? Is that really the best the MLS brass could come up with this year? What's with the facination of English teams anyway? West Ham is hardly a world power, so will beating a bunch of average "European" players who are in preseason really be a big deal? I don't think so. Hopefully nobody will get hurt, but the main effect that this match has on Fantasy Pro is that it slows it down. I'm proposing right now that next year's All-Star team be made of players on my fantasy team. And lets have them square off with a U-9 girls squad. That should be more entertaining than this year's sorry excuse for a "spectacle," which is what the All-Star Game is really supposed to be.
WOW (Worst of the Week) Award: This week's honor goes to the man just about everyone loves to hate: Cuauhtemoc Blanco of the Chicago Fire. The Mexican international was sent off in Chicago's U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal loss to D.C. United for throwing a punch at Clyde Simms (Prosecution Exhibit A). Marc Burch stepped in and was sent off as well, but it didn't end there. Blanco then reportedly head-butted a D.C. United official on his way into the locker room, an act that was described this way to the Washington Post by Fire PR man Gregg Elkin: "When he turned to leave, his forehead did graze the cheek or jaw area." Yeah, I'm sure that's how it happened. Blanco is a great player, but he's also a whiner, a thug, a baby, and an all around jerk. For all that, Blanco now holds the title of Worst of the Week.
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Much has occurred in the two weeks since we last went through the biggest MLS news, so why waste space with some fancy intro? Lets get right to it.
The news: FCD hires Schellas Hyndman as new head coach.
The effect: It's still too early to tell if this move will pay off or not. In their first two games under the former SMU boss, the Hoops have one loss and one draw. They did show some fight on Thursday night to come back to secure a point on the road in Houston. The good news for FCD is that the Western Conference is pretty weak and they are only four points from the top of the conference. Kenny Cooper has been playing very well this season, but expect Hyndman to demand more from the team's other key players, namely Arturo Alvarez and Juan Toja.
The news: Eight MLS clubs head into U.S. Open Cup's Third Round
The effect: The hot summer months are the busiest times for MLS clubs and it's usually around this point that some of the younger or more inexperienced players start to pick up some minutes. Getting playing time in the Open Cup can be a good indication of things to come, so keep an eye on the competition for any lesser-known names that play major roles. Those are the players that are likely to get more of a chance in league matches. I'm thinking of players like Kyle Brown (Houston Dynamo) and Justin Braun (Chivas USA) -- these are guys that have some first-team minutes and could gain a lot of confidence (and more first-team appearances) with impressive showings in Open Cup play.
The news: The Wizards finally score a goal (sort of) and win a game.
The effect: Thanks to an own goal by Tony Beltran, Kansas City beats RSL 1-0 and ends a three-game goal drought and seven-game winless skid. But what does it mean? Well, not much frankly. If I were Curt Onalfo, I'd be a little concerned not only about my team's inability to score goals, but also about how up-to-date my resume was looking. This team has some attacking talent -- Argentines Claudio Lopez and Carlos Marinelli, Trinidadian Scott Sealy -- but they just aren't getting it done. They are solid defensively, but I'd stay away from anybody from the midfield and up as far as the fantasy game goes.
The news: D.C. United keeps winning, moves up Eastern Conference table.
The effect: After thoroughly demolishing the L.A. Galaxy Sunday in front of a national audience on ABC by a 4-1 score (and realistically, it could have been eight for the Black-and-Red), D.C. United is suddenly the hottest team in MLS. The four-time MLS Cup champs are up to third place in the East, thanks in no small part to Luciano Emilio, who is back in the race for MVP and Budweiser Golden Boot. Ben Olsen shocked many by making his first appearance of the season against the Gals, and his return -- if it lasts -- would be a huge boost for the team. As if they need one now... In summation: buy United attacking players!
The news: Spain tops Germany to win EURO 2008.
The effect: On MLS: none really. On the MLS Fantasy Pro: No excuses now. Your summer soccer watching fun is now going to be (almost) strictly focused on domestic play, so make your trades, get out to the stadiums and bring your "A" game. If you don't, you'll probably "B" sorry and "C" somebody else run away with the title. Man, that's just awful.
See ya next week!
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Welcome to Soccer Notes, a new blog here on SoccerFantasyPro.com that will update you with the news around Major League Soccer and give you insight on how it could affect your fantasy teams. This new blog will be updated bi-weekly, alternating with a more streamlined fantasy blog to give you hints and suggestions on specific players to buy or bench. But enough housekeeping; let's get down to business.
The news: U.S. national team tops Barbados 8-0 to kick off World Cup qualifying
With several MLS players playing big parts, Bob Bradley's side cruised to an easy victory Sunday at The Home Depot Center. Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo) notched a pair of goals and Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) chipped in (literally) with a cheeky free kick. Brad Guzan (Chivas USA) and Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids) also saw action in the first World Cup 2010 qualifying match for the Americans. Perhaps the only bad news for the U.S. was Mastroeni's early departure due to an apparent hamstring injury. The second leg of the home-and-home series is set for June 22. Given the huge Leg 1 advantage, Bradley could choose to make some changes to his team before heading to the Caribbean. Keep an eye out for that news early in the week.
The news: Hat tricks for Emilio, Buddle
At long last, D.C. United seem to have found their form. On the shoulders of Luciano Emilio, who netted a hat trick, the Black-and-Red thumped the New York Red Bulls 4-1 Saturday night at a rain-soaked RFK Stadium. Not to be outdone, Edson Buddle recorded his second hat trick of the season in the Galaxy's 3-0 win over San Jose later that same night. D.C. has begun the climb toward the top of the Eastern Conference, though they still have a ways to go. The Galaxy, though, are the only Western team with a winning record and rightfully own the top spot in the conference.
The news: Say 'adiós' to Jozy
Jozy Altidore has officially signed with Villareal of Spain and is no longer a member of the New York Red Bulls. If he's still on your fantasy team, dump him ASAP and start shopping for replacements. It's not likely that he's going to pull a "Landon" and be back in a few weeks because he misses his girlfriend.
The news: The Kansas City Wizards can't win a game
Their last victory in league play came all the way back on April 20. With their next scheduled match set for this Saturday (June 21), that means it is going to be at least two months between victories, and that's only if they find a way to top Toronto FC at BMO Field, something no other team has done yet this season. Needless to say, you may want to look elsewhere for impact players and defensive help.
The news: Busy week ahead in MLS
Midweek games are great in the way that they break up the monotony of the work week. We're treated to three this week, including a pair on Wednesday night. The New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake all have two games in Week 13. That means twice as many chances for those players to pick up points for you.
WOW (Worst of the Week) Award: Barbados. No explanation needed.
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