"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -- Ferris Bueller
This time of year, there are four major areas where a Survivor Pro players needs to focus their attention in order to make certain what players are on a given team's roster: discipline, injuries, international matches and transfers.
Let's look at the impact of each area in reverse order, starting with transfers. With the international window opening soon, there are going to be plenty of rumors swirling around about international players joining MLS teams and current MLS players leaving the league to play abroad. Some of these rumors are going to be just that -- rumors. But others, such as Wednesday's report about Jozy Altidore being sold to Villareal of La Liga, have more validity. Rumors of Alitdore's impending departure from the New York Red Bulls have been swirling since the offseason and there's no doubt that the teen-aged striker is one of the brightest talents to hit the U.S. international scene in a while.
While this move will likely have an adverse affect on New York's attack, there is a possibility that by moving Altidore another player on the team will now have a chance to shine. Maybe veterans Mike Magee or John Wolyniec step into the spotlight. Or maybe Colombian Oscar Echeverry pairs with countryman Juan Pablo Angel to form a dynamic duo. Whatever happens, as a Survivor Pro player, don't bank on it until you see some results first. Angel may put this team on his back like he did for stretches last season, but don't count on it with the way he's had to battle some nagging injuries in the early going this season. For now, stay away from the Red Bulls.
Now, on the other hand, there are rumors that former U.S. international striker Brian McBride is ready to come back to MLS after a solid stint with Fulham of the English Premier League. There's even the rumor that he would join the Chicago Fire. McBride playing target man for Cuauhtemoc Blanco? Could happen. Could also be too good to be true for the Section 8ers. One thing is for certain: McBride is on the lookout for a team. If he lands back in MLS, it will be a boon for whichever team is lucky enough to get him. We're not talking about bringing in Claudio Reyna here. McBride is the real deal and has been for some time. If the Fire managed to put together a deal to get him, Chicago instantly becomes a favorite to win MLS Cup and a favorite each week in Survivor Pro.
The international matches are going to be a bit trickier to follow in that you need to know how long a player is going to be in camp for their respective national teams and when they are likely to be released in order to return to their respective MLS clubs. Take for example USA's recent international matches against England and Spain. While coach Bob Bradley has relied on a heavy dose of international talent to comprise this squad, he has called in the following MLS players: Landon Donovan (LA), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Ricardo Clark (Houston), Maurice Edu (Toronto), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado) and Frankie Hejduk (Columbus).
While most of those players were able to return to their respective clubs to play last weekend and will be able to play in this weekend's matches, there's going to be plenty of matches missed with the Olympics and World Cup qualifying matches waiting to start in the next couple of weeks. If you pick a team like the Los Angeles Galaxy during a week when both Landon Donovan and David Beckham (yes, he still expects to be a "lion" for England) are out, then you could see your Survivor Pro streak come to an end pretty quickly.
The double-whammy is when one of those international players gets injured. Donovan is the latest example after developing a tight groin. Not only is he not playing in U.S. matches, but he'll also likely be out of the lineup for the Galaxy this week. Injuries are going to strike at any time. You've just got to keep an eye on the weekly MLS report and hope that the team that you've picked has a strong bench.
The last element to be aware of that might take a key player out of a match is discipline. Guys who play hard have already started accumulating points for their fouls or even been carded. It's better to know now if these guys are going to be available for your Survivor Pro-picked team or else you could wind up with your team looking at the wrong end of a result.
League life is moving pretty fast this time of year. If you don't stop to check the latest news on a given team, you might just miss out on a win in Survivor Pro.
With that said, let's look at our Top Choice and Best Bet for this week's matches.
D.C. United at Chicago Fire (8:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, FOX Soccer Channel): We've got one team that exploded for four second-half goals last weekend against the Red Bulls and another that had one win and one draw in six matches in May. D.C. United hosts Houston Dynamo Wednesday and then gets the pleasure of traveling to Bridgeview, Ill., to take on the Fire, who already have a league-high six wins this season. A rested Blanco and Co. have a clear advantage over the Black-and-Red. Top Choice: Chicago Fire
Toronto FC at Houston Dynamo (8:30 p.m. ET, Sunday): Give a team some home games and watch their confidence grow. At least that's what appears to have happened in Toronto. TFC started the season with three road games and went 1-2-0. Since then, they've had six home games and in that span went 4-0-2, tied for the league's top mark at home. While this match is being played on the road, TFC should have Edu back from international duty and Houston will have played its second match within four games. Best Bet: Toronto FC