SB Nation

Buy 'Em or Bag 'Em Week 31: RBNY Still Controls Own Destiny

Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Just because they lost, doesn't mean they are out. Chin up! Get back on that saddle!

Roster change deadline: Friday October 2, 7:00pm ET

Amount of Free Transfers this week: 2

The New York Red Bulls may have been handed a big loss on Friday night, but they still are positioned as the favorite for the Shield due to Points per Game and Strength of Schedule.  Besides the LA Galaxy, eight of the nine top teams in the Supporter's Shield race either lost or drew in Week 29 (LA defeated FC Dallas 3-2).  RBNY is only two points off the lead and also have two games in hand on LA.  They control their own fate with a league-leading 1.66 points per game, but will need to take the rest of their schedule game-by-game starting with the Columbus Crew.

I recommend to buy Bradley Wright-Phillips.  He hasn't tallied a point in three straight games, so he is due.  Columbus has a -9 goal differential on the road, so he should be able to break through the back line and Steve Clark.  Sacha Kljestan has slowed down a bit the last two weeks, but he is still dangerous, so my prediction is that he and BWP will link up on Saturday.

You will need to bag Matt Miazga.  His red card makes him miss the Columbus game, but he's not done there.  He was called into the U-23 USMNT for CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying.  The US have three group stage games between October 1st and 6th.  If they reach the knockout stage, potential games are on October 10th and 13th. He could miss the Montreal and Toronto games as well.  Jesse Marsch has already chosen Ronald Zubar as Miazga's replacement.  Good luck against Kei Kamara.

Buy 'Em

  • Bradley Wright-Phillips ($11.2M)
  • Sacha Kljestan ($10.5M)

Bag 'Em

  • Matt Miazga ($6.0M)

In This Article

Teams
  • New York Red Bulls
  • LA Galaxy
  • FC Dallas
Players
  • Kei Kamara (Columbus Crew)
  • Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls)
  • Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls)
  • Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls)
  • Steve Clark (Columbus Crew)
  • Jesse Marsch (New York Red Bulls)
  • Ronald Zubar (New York Red Bulls)
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