Fantasy Focus: The pitfalls of two games in a week

On the surface, a team playing two games in a week seems like a great time to double up on fantasy points, but that didn't necessarily prove to be true this past week. Before we get into that, it's time to recognize DCU4Lifers SC, who catapulted to the top of the league with an 111 point week. Two Sporting Kansas City players led the way. Graham Zusi ($10.0M) was the captain and thus scored 24 points, and Aurelien Collin scored 18. Philadelphia forward Jack McInerney ($8.3M) added 12 of his own. The big week gave DCU4Lifers a 38 point cushion at the top.

Positional Leaders

Goalkeepers

Nick Rimando's (RSL, $6.0M) 14 points easily made him the top keeper this week. It helps to save a penalty. Jimmy Nielsen (SKC, $6.0M) scored 10 points over two games, and both Carlo Cudicini (LA, $5.4M) and Michael Gspurning (SEA, $5.8M) scored 8 points to round out the best at the position. DCU's Bill Hamid ($5.4M) scored 2 points.

Defenders

The aforementioned Collin led all defenders and scorers with his 18 points. Behind him, fellow SKC center back Matt Besler ($6.1M) came up with 11 points of his own. Two more players scored 9 points -- Chicago's Austin Berry ($5.2M), and Toronto's Jeremy Hall ($5.0M.) For D.C. United, Daniel Woolard's ($4.0M) 6 points set the pace, while Brandon McDonald ($5.4M, 3 points), Chris Korb ($4.6M, 2 points), Dejan Jakovic ($5.5M, 2 points), and Robbie Russell ($4.6M, 1 point) lagged behind. Serious question: Why is Robbie Russell, who doesn't play at all, worth $0.6M more than starter Daniel Woolard?

Midfielders

Landon Donovan (LA, $9.9M) scored a goal and added an assist on the way to 16 points. Zusi's 12 were tied with Johnny Steele (NY, $6.5M) for second among midfielders. Five players were close behind with 10 points -- Marcelo Sarvas (LA, $8.0), Dax McCarty (NY, $8.6M), Brandon Barklage (NY, $6.1M), Amobi Okugo (PHI, $6.3M), and Javier Morales (RSL, $8.2M). For DCU, Perry Kitchen ($5.8M) scored on the way to 7 points. Dwayne DeRosario ($9.4) and Kyle Porter ($4.8) followed with 5 points each. At the rear were Chris Pontius ($8.3M, 2 points), Marcelo Saragosa ($5.2M, 1 point) and Raphael Augusto ($5.5M, 1 point.)

Forwards

Jack McInerney's 12 points were the most among forwards. Thierry Henry (NY, $10.5M) scored 11 points and probably had as many angry gesticulations. McInerney's strike partner Conor Casey ($7.9M) scored 10 points. D.C.'s lovable Lionard Pajoy ($7.8M) scored 7 points, which was actually good enough for a three-way tie for 5th among forwards. Carlos Ruiz ($7.9M) showed up with just 1 point.

All told, only one player (Collin) on the two teams that played twice was the leader in points at his position. Every other player (save Besler, who was 2nd to Collin) who played twice was outscored by a player who played once. It's a small sample size from which to derive the conclusion that you should not go out of your way to acquire players with two games in a week, but it's something to monitor.

Looking Ahead

Seattle is the only team on bye this week, so sit whoever you have from that team (not that many of you do.) For your roster moves, I'd suggest goalkeeper Troy Perkins (MTL, $5.2M, 35 points) at home against Chicago. If you're into masochism, Andy Greunebaum (CLB, $5.3M, 33 points) is at home against DCU. Among defenders, Markus Holgersson (NY, $4.8M, 33 points) has scored 17 points over his last 3 games, and he'll be more important to the Metros if Jamison Olave's slow in returning. Marcelo Sarvas (33 points) is a midfielder to watch, as he's scored 26 points over his last 4 games. The Galaxy are away to Toronto. And lastly at forward, Jack McInerney is the obvious buy, but also keep an eye on Marco Di Vaio (MTL, $8.5M, 24 points), who's semi-affordable and he's scored 21 points over the last 4 weeks. Happy hunting!