Ok. Let's talk about Jaedyn Shaw.
Listen, we love her. She's a national treasure. As a San Diego Wave FC (do we need the "Football Club" crap?) fan and season ticket holder I will lay down my life to defend Jaedyn Shaw. What she did for the club last season is being surpassed on a game-by-game basis by what she's doing for the USWNT this year. My favorite fantasy memory last season was captaining Shaw in the Wave's final match, home against Racing Louisville. I was at the game. Shaw scored; the Wave clinched the Supporters Shield. It was honestly one of the best games I've attended for sheer fun and good vibes.
This season my fantasy team is named, "O Jae can you see".
All that being said, I'm not going to start Shaw in Round 3. I might even sell her from my team. It breaks my heart.
Under Casey Stoney this season, Shaw has been shunted off to the left wing while all of the Wave's play goes through Savanah McCaskill on the right. She's a peripheral players who's impact on the game comes more from her tracking back on the wing rather than her getting into good areas in the attacking third.
We say how that positioning worked for the US yesterday. It wasn't until Shaw was moved in from the wing to the 10 that the game turned in our favor. She assisted the opener and created (hockey assist!) the second goal.
But until we see Stoney put her in her best position, or at least give her license to create, Shaw is a fantasy no-go.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. I'm the king of the reverse jinx, and I'm leaning into this one with all my weight.
As for the week that was, here's the wrap-up:
- nwsl week 3: xG race charts & pass networks
- NWSL Snap: Mentally, I'm still in the Bay
- VAR’s ‘clear and obvious’ question in NWSL; Emma Hayes explains Conti Cup clash: Full Time
My team, the aforementioned "O Jae does that Shaw-spangled banner yet Wave" brought in a huge 105 points. It's always a milestone in fantasy to hit 100 points. The ShePlays game makes it easier than some other scoring systems, and thank them for that. Points are fun! It's why we do this.
My quasi-perma captain (more on that soon), Sophia Smith, returned despite not scoring herself. An assist and 11 (!) attacking points from several shots on goal and chances created for others led to her second double-digit return in three rounds.
Ally Sentor and Deyna Castellanos we other bright spots, with most of the team looking pretty good. The disappointments were Shaw (have I mentioned that?) and last week's start Ji So-Yun. I played Ji despiter her facing San Diego, and while it didn't make for great viewing, I was happy enough for her to be kept quiet by Stoney-ball for the night. If five points is her floor from passing and chance creation, I'm going to enjoy having her on my fantasy team.
Looking forwards, I have two main targets: Mallory Swanson and Vanessa DiBernardo. Last week, I said that, "Swanson has been starting matches this season without impacting them. I want to be able to cash in when, in about a month's time and she has her soccer legs back under her, that changes." Let's just say that my assesment of her timetable may have been pessimistic. She's already scored for the Red Stars and looked good for the national team. My only concern is the knock she took against Canade. I skeeted that I was worried Chicago would rest her against Angel City this weekend. I hope we get some kind of statement from the team. I'm likely to buy and start her regardless. It's good to have her back!
DiBernardo scored again last round and is the ShePlays game's highest scoring player to date. KC's attack looks really good and she's a large part of it. In a game with fewer good midfield options than forwards, I think she's going to be owned by most fantasy managers soon — if they haven't already brought her in.
Looking at the matchups for the two, Swanson at home to Angel City is much more attractive than KC at Gotham. Unless we get hints that Mal Swanson might have her minutes managed, I think she's the pick with DiBernardo being a clear pick up in Round 5 when they host Bay FC.
That brings up my weekly keeper conundrum. The schedule has me leaning towards a third consecutive start for Lysianne Proulx. To reiterate, I expected Cassie Miller to be my every week starter and just added Proulx for Gotham's absence from Round 1. However she's proved a high-scoring keeper in her own right. I like her matchup home to Seattle better than Miller's hosting KC. I don't expect either to keep a clean sheet, but Proulx seems to be the more active, and thus higher-scoring, keeper. Miller will have to wait another week before getting her first start for me.
Finally, as promised above, let's look at captain for the week. Quasi-perma captain Sophia Smith travels to the usually stingy North Carolina Courage, so I'm in the market for a different choice. Right now that choice is Ally Sentor. The rookie is the hub of the Utah Royals and has scored in consecutive games. Home to the Orlando Pride, who have only travelled as far as Kentucky this season, looks a good chance for Sentor to make it three in a row.
I'm tempted to vice-captain Swanson, but may err on the side of caution myself and not do that. Castellanos may just step up into that role.
