Written By: John Washington
Week 8 Wrap-Up
After a week where every matchup worked out as expected, Week 8 was always going to be the opposite. And it proved so, with just four out of 28 teams shutting out their opponents. The Dream Team, which displays the top player performers at each position every week, featured just one player previously valued at $9m or higher.
Looking Ahead
This week, there is one matchup that sticks out right away. Carles Gil will be a default captain for most, as first in the east (New England) hosts last in the west (Kansas City). An expensive midfield will be the way to go, but there is plenty of value around $5m-$8m at the forward position. Vancouver is on the bye week.
Matchups
- New England Revolution (home vs. Kansas City)
- Houston Dynamo (home vs. Miami)
- New York Red Bulls (away at Montreal)
- FC Cincinnati (home vs. Portland)
Premium Goalkeepers
In his last five matches, Steve Clark is averaging 7.2 points per game. Houston also faces Inter Miami, who have lost five straight while being shut out in four of those games.
- Djordje Petrovic (New England Revolution), $9.6m vs. Kansas City
- Steve Clark (Houston Dynamo), $7.5m vs. Miami
- Pedro Gallese (Orlando City SC), $7.2m vs. DC
Budget Goalkeepers
Though Carlos Coronel has just one clean sheet, he has not allowed more than one goal in any game this year. And what’s more important, CF Montreal has only scored in one game all season.
- Carlos Coronel (New York Red Bulls), $5.6m at Montreal
- Quentin Westberg (Atlanta United), $4.8m vs. Chicago
- Jonathan Sirois (CF Montreal), $4.5m vs. New York
Premium Defenders
Alvaro Barreal is a key creative player for Cincinnati, especially if Lucho Acosta is out. Barreal is quite pricey but for good reason. He has just one game this season below six points.
- Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo), $8.3m vs. Miami
- Alvaro Barreal (FC Cincinnati), $10.4m vs. Portland
- Dave Romney (New England Revolution), $8.6m vs. Kansas City
- John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), $8.4m at Montreal
- Yeimar Gomez Andrade (Seattle Sounders), $8.3m vs. Minnesota
Budget Defenders
With Henry Kessler reportedly out for four months, Andrew Farrell is the way to go, considering the rest of New England’s back line is $8m and up.
- Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution), $4.7m vs. Kansas City
- Franco Escobar (Houston Dynamo), $5.8m vs. Miami
- Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union), $4.8m vs. Toronto
Premium Midfielders
Carles Gil will likely be the most popular captain choice but don’t rule out Thiago Almada. He’s averaging upwards of 12 points per game and Atlanta has scored nine goals in four home games this year.
- Carles Gil (New England Revolution), $10.6m vs. Kansas City
- Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), $12m vs. Chicago
- Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo), $10.5m vs. Miami
- Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes), $12m at Salt Lake
- Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew), $11.7m at Charlotte
Budget Midfielders
With Cristian Roldan still in concussion protocol, Leo Chu is likely to start on the left wing for Seattle. He has one goal and five assists in four starts.
- Leo Chu (Seattle Sounders), $6.5m vs. Minnesota
- Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), $4.2m vs. Toronto
- Adalberto Carrasquilla (Houston Dynamo), $6.5m vs. Miami
Premium Forwards
Giorgos Giakoumakis is red hot, with a goal in each of his four starts. He was subbed out early with a hamstring injury last week, but if he’s in the eleven on Sunday, he is the top forward option.
- Giorgos Giakoumakis (Atlanta United), $8.6m vs. Chicago
- Joao Klauss (St. Louis CITY), $10.2m at Colorado
- Jeremy Ebobisse (San Jose Earthquakes), $8.7m at Salt Lake
- Julian Carranza (Philadelphia Union), $8m vs. Toronto
- Jefferson Savarino (Real Salt Lake), $8.6m vs. San Jose
Budget Forwards
With Brenner primed to leave for Udinese in July, Cincinnati will prepare by giving more minutes to Sergio Santos, who has a goal every 79 minutes this season.
- Sergio Santos (FC Cincinnati), $5.9m vs. Portland
- Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC), $6m vs. DC
- Maxi Urruti (Austin FC), $5.3m at LA Galaxy
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