Reid and Mike sit down on the Memorial Day holiday to record a quick episode before the double-game week gets started on Wednesday! They jump right to the main questions of which players will be available for Round 14 and who their player picks will be and give more insight into their thought process for each position. If you're debating about some of the single-game week option, don't worry, they wrap everything up by highlighting the few SGW games worth considering.
I hope everyone enjoyed Round 13, because that was the last normal MLS Fantasy week that we’re going to have for a while … and you should be excited about that!
The international call-ups that go along with the World Cup, and the DGW and bye weeks that come with the U.S. Open Cup, are exactly what make the MLS Fantasy game so exciting.
The spring season is well past its halfway point now, so it's more important than ever to find the right player combinations to help you reach your spring Fantasy goals. Below is a list of some of the players who I think will help you get on track to finishing strong.
Double-game week teams: New England, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, Real Salt Lake, Houston, LA Galaxy and FC Dallas
Teams on a Bye: D.C. United
Goalkeepers
Double Home: With home games being such lucrative opportunities for fantasy points, it’s understandable if you want capitalize on a double home ‘keeper for this DGW. If that’s your strategy, my preferred option is New England’s Matt Turner ($7). The Revs are currently averaging conceding one goal per game at home, but with both Atlanta United (Wednesday, 7:30 pm ET | ESPN+ - Full TV & Streaming Info) and the New York Red Bulls missing some key players, Turner may be able to come away with two clean sheets.
Jesse Gonzalez | USA Today Sports Images
Split Games: If you think the double home games look too tough, then consider FC Dallas’ Jesse Gonzalez ($6). He earned the start for the North Texans last week and came away with a well-deserved clean sheet. His job may be easier this round as both the LA Galaxy (Wednesday, 10:30 pm ET | ESPN+ - Full TV & Streaming Info) and LAFC are missing key attackers due to suspension or international call-ups. Just keep an eye on the lineup in case there is more rotation.
Defenders
Differential: The season has not been kind to Real Salt Lake so far, but two home games will give them a chance to regroup, so consider Justen Glad ($7.5) if you want to diversify your backline. He’s RSL’s highest scoring defender, by far, and has shown the ability to offset poor score lines with bonus points. If you’re hoping for a clean sheet, then his second game against Seattle (Saturday, 9:30 pm ET | ESPN+ - Full TV & Streaming Info) is your best bet, but there is also a small chance that the game against the Dynamo (Wednesday, 9:30 pm ET | ESPN+ - Full TV & Streaming Info) could be low-scoring, as Rio Tinto Stadium can be a tough place to play.
SGW Option: If you really want to add a single game week player to your team, your options are going to be limited. You can go the easy, but expensive, route and grab Sporting Kansas City’s Graham Zusi ($11.5), who offers the highest point ceiling with changes at both a clean sheet and goals (Sunday, 8:30 pm ET | FS1 - Full TV & Streaming Info). Or you take a bit more of an unconventional path and grab Portland’s Alvas Powell ($8.5) and hope the Timbers can keep up their winning streak when they host the Galaxy’s 2nd game (Saturday, 5 pm ET | ESPN+ - Full TV & Streaming Info).
Midfielders
Defensive: Double game weeks are usually a time when defensive midfielders shine, and there are several good options this week. My favorite is Philadelphia’s Haris Medunjanin ($8.9) because of his very consistent point generation. He could be on the way to another double-digit DGW score as both Chicago (Wednesday, 7:30 pm ET | ESPN+ - Full TV & Streaming Info) and Atlanta should provide plenty of opportunities to earn bonus points.
Miguel Almiron | USA Today Sports Images
Offensive: If you prefer to go with a more offensive player, then stick with Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron ($14.8). The extra week of rest should give him an advantage over other DGW teams that start on the road, but it’s his second game against Philadelphia (Saturday, 7 pm ET | ESPN+ - Full TV & Streaming Info) that offers the best chance for points as the Union will be without their starting ‘keeper.
Forwards
Autoroo Gamble: There are several strong three-man forward combinations this week, but if you’re worried about rotations, consider New England’s Cristian Penilla ($9.7). He’s scored three goals over his last three games and looks to have a good shot, on paper, at goals this week as both Atlanta and the Red Bulls (Saturday, 7:30 pm ET | ESPN+ - Full TV & Streaming Info) will be missing defensive players. However, his scoring has not always been consistent so start him on your bench as part of a two- or three-man autoroo.
On Form: If you’re looking for a low-cost and on-form forward, then start with Maximiliano Urruti ($9.1). He’s scored a goal or earned an assist over each of his last six games and, as previously mentioned, Dallas’ attack could benefit from the Galaxy and LAFC’s (Saturday, 8 pm ET | ESPN+ - Full TV & Streaming Info) loss of starting players to international call-ups.
WHICH PLAYERS are you considering for Round 14?
FOR MORE fantasy advice, be sure to check out the articles and charts posted at MLSFantasyBoss.com.
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