Watch Out for Your Shutouts on ESPN FC Manager
by Dizzo on Apr 19, 2011 2:22 PM PDT
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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PrintDave Clark set-up a group for ESPN FC Manager for Sounder-at-Heart readers and it was tempting enough for me to try my hand at fantasy sports for the first time. A number of teams that I have players on had double games for the week which made for an excellent opportunity to recoup some points I lost at the start of the season. It also exposed me to a continuing problem on ESPN's new system.
After the mid-week games I noticed that a couple of my players from the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake didn't get their deserved shut-out points. I posted a message up on the board and the problem was fixed a couple days later. However, a quick read of the boards, makes me realize that this wasn't an isolated incident. A number of other players are missing points for shut-outs and assists. There are also players who are listed on the wrong team or have left MLS altogether.
I thought I would do a quick post to let people know to keep an eye out as they go through the game and make transfers. You might be missing points here or there. ESPN seems to be relatively good about fixing problems if you post on the message board. Just make sure to mark your post as a question (the box you need to check is just above the post button).
After the jump I have some more information for all of you interested in joining the Sounder-at-Heart group or are looking to make transfers before the deadline tomorrow.
Joining SAH Group: If you're interested in joining the Sounder-at-Heart group it's not too late. The group name is Sounder at Heart Readers and the password is in somniis. Unfortunately, because the season has already started, you'll be in a pretty deep hole to start the game. However, the game is played over three distinct segments so you'll have plenty of time to refine your strategy and go for the win in segments two and three. Dave is planning on doing prizes (SAH items) for the segment winners as well as the overall winner.
What to Avoid This Week: The Real Salt Lake and Philadelphia Union match-up has been rescheduled until later this year even though it's still listed. You'll want to avoid any transfers from those two teams this week and make sure you put any players from those two teams you want to keep on the bench.
Injuries: Injuries are still a concern for Landon Donovan so make sure you have a back-up on the bench in case he misses another game. Teammate Leonardo has picked up what looks like a season ending injury so you'll probably want to trade him out if he's on your roster. Other high profile players such as Omar Bravo, Jimmy Conrad, Conor Casey, Brian Ching and Jay Demerit also have injuries that may impact their playing time this week. Check-out the MLS injury report for more information.
Suspensions: Ty Harden (TFC) and Julio Cesar (SKC) are the only two players who will miss games this week due to disciplinary issues.
Value Buys: A lot of the great bargains (and what we thought were great bargains) have gotten much more expensive over the season so far. However, there are still a few good bargains out there to stash on your bench or in your line-up.
- Perry Kitchen is a steal at $5.2 now that the US U-20 CONCACAF Cup is over. DC United's defense isn't the league's best, but Kitchen is a regular starter who can be useful on your bench or in your lineup. He's also very good and DCU plays noticeably better when they have their young general in the back organizing things. Teammate Bill Hamid is another regular starter and value buy at $5.4.
- Simon Dawkins: The play-making midfielder on loan from Tottenham Hotspur has locked down a starting spot for the San Jose Earthquakes. He's also not afraid to take a shot or two on goal which should greatly add to your point total over the course of the season. He's still affordable at $6.3, but probably won't remain at that price for much longer.
- Fabian Castillo, the 18 year old Dallas FC striker, is starting to see the pitch regularly and has looked very dangerous in the games I've seen. He's still a bargain at $5.6. I don't think Castillo will start every game he's available for Dallas, but I think he'll see enough of the pitch to justify his low price. He's a great choice if you're running a two forward line-up and need a cheap player to round out your bench.
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More value guys
Diego Chavez is probably underpriced at 6.5 right now, Carlos Ruiz is only 5.7, and Jorge Perlaza is 5.5 if you’re into that sort of thing (gross).
Gaston Puerari might be the more valuable CHI starting forward, as he is listed at mid and is only 5.8, though he has been the first to sub recently. Luke Rogers is only 5.3 and is worth a look.
Lots of value at defense. I like Miranda (CLB) at 6.0, Williams or Valdez (PHI) at 6.4, or Tainio (NY) also at 6.4. Maybe DeLa Garza at 6.1 as well. And Rodney Wallace if you think he’s going to keep scoring (5.5).
Good values
Wallace is the definition of an attacking fullback so he might pick up a goal or two more this year. De LaGarza should get more playing time now that Leonardo looks like he’ll miss the rest of the season.
by Dizzo on Apr 19, 2011 3:14 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
A goal or two more
will hardly make up for the lack of shutouts by PDX. Wallace would have to score 6+ goals over to season to be worthwhile. That said, he is certainly on the cheaper end.
My keys to enjoying the game
1) Pick your three favorite Sounders.
2) Don’t take any Timbers or Whitecaps, you’d hate to have to even think about supporting them.
3) Don’t take any two players that play the same position on the same team – it will kill you in weeks they don’t play.
4) Use a 3-5-2 with all attacking midfielders. They get the most points for everything.
5) Don’t spend any money on a backup goal keeper.
6) Don’t take it too seriously, we aren’t making our living off this game like the players and coaches are.
by Sounder Abroad on Apr 19, 2011 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I've been burned by #3
I haven’t tried the 3-5-2 much though. :)
by Dizzo on Apr 20, 2011 7:02 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
As far as stat keeping & website interface
http://fantasy.premierleague.com/
They do a much better job. They do have quite a few more participants however…
Zakuani didn't get his assist this week, either
I guess because it was credited after the fact. I’ll have to complain about that. There have definitely been some irregularities in the scoring that I’ve noticed (nearly every week). I didn’t know you could post on the message board and have things fixed, though, so I’ll have to do that next time.
Another potential good value is Nagbe. Tough to predict the minutes or success of a rookie coming off injury, but now that he seems to be back, he’s only 4.8, which is potentially a huge steal, esp for a bench guy.
Speaking of posting questions
Is there a reason the SB Nation power-rankings thing on the right-hand side of the page still says (in the asterix at the bottom) that they are “preseason” rankings?
Preseason=Beta
Actually, no, that’s a mistake. Thanks for finding that as no one else has noticed it. It will be fixed.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter
by Jeremiah Oshan on Apr 20, 2011 6:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Scoring
If you read the rules, they go more in depth about it the scoring. Typically it is all figured out by Tuesday night, so that’s when you’ll want to look at them. Also, if you play someone and you have a player on the bench for that position and the one you played doesn’t end up playing, your bench player will be substituted in for you.
Another decent buy is OBW at 6.6 if he keeps starting over Jaqua.
from ESPN
Contacted Cust. Svc. about Montero’s assist not showing up:
Live statistics during gamedays are subject to change and should be considered unofficial. We continue to receive and update stats for seven days after a game is played.
If you still notice a scoring error seven days after game day, please email us and let us know with specific information and specific scoring error.
Substitution experiment worked
A couple of weeks ago I tried to use one of the quirks of ESPN’s game to my advantage and it succeeded. I had a defender that wasn’t going to play because his team had no scheduled matches, and two defenders that I couldn’t chose between. The solution was to run a 3-5-2 and keep both of the defenders I couldn’t chose between on the bench. Then, at the end of the week, ESPN generously inserted the one with the better performance into my starting lineup for the guy who didn’t play. In my case it was a difference between getting 3 or 2 points, so no big deal, but in another week, it could be a bigger factor.
by Sounder Abroad on Apr 19, 2011 10:50 PM PDT reply actions
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