Reid and Mike sit down with Matt Pollard from Last Word on Soccer to review the few games from Round 28 and preview the upcoming Round 29 double-game week. In addition to their usual fantasy talk, they also take some time to talk about US-Brazil and the importance/future of injury reporting. However, the real fun happens during the Round 29 preview as they touch on the Galaxy without Sigi, which away teams have promising matches, and Matt’s take on how DC can #WayneTheSwamp with their DGW.
Round 28 may have been short, but they say good things come in small packages and that’s exactly what happened with many fantasy managers seeing triple-digit scores. This achievement should be much easier this week thanks to the small double-game week and the return of many international call-ups. Below are some of my favorite players to help you get the most from Week 29.
Double-game week teams:D.C. United, Minnesota United
Teams on a Bye:New York City FC
Keepers
Bill Hamid has two games in Week 29, both at D.C. United's Audi Field | USA Today Sports Images
DGW Option: The top name on every keeper list this week should be D.C. United’s Bill Hamid ($8.0). He’s had several strong showings against some of the best offenses in MLS over the past few rounds including a clean sheet against Atlanta and a near shutout last week against NYCFC. His double home game DGW give him the chance for a double-digit score, especially if the Red Bulls (Saturday, 1 pm ET | ESPN — Full TV & streaming info) continue their low scoring run.
Defenders
Keegan Rosenberry, right, and the Philadelphia Union have a good shot at a clean sheet | USA Today Sports Images
Value CB: If you’re trying to build a cheap backline, start with LAFC’s Dejan Jakovic ($5.0). He subbed in for the injured Danilo Silva two weeks ago and earned the start last week. If this continues, he’ll be the cheapest way into the best home defense this week and will have an excellent shot at a clean sheet, since New England (Saturday, 10:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info) has only scored one goal in their last three road games.
Play The Odds: Recent form is still one of my favorite stats to use for clean sheet hunting and this week, the form divining rod points toward Philadelphia. They have earned a clean sheet in each of their last two home games and Montreal (Saturday, 7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info) has struggled to score on the road at times. Keegan Rosenberry ($7.6) is my top defensive pick but go with the player who best fits your budget.
Midfielders
On a Roll:Real Salt Lake have scored 12 goals over their past two games and Jefferson Savarino ($9.7) has been a key to much of that production. His contribution over his past two games has been three goals and three assists, all against weaker defenses. Savarino could see more points this week against Minnesota (Saturday, 9:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info) as the Loons have allowed almost three goals per game on the road.
Away Option: If you’re looking to take advantage of some of the promising away matches this week, start with Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron ($11.0). He’s only scored one goal in his last three games but has made up for that with consistent bonus points and is $2.5 million cheaper than Josef Martinez. His chance to be involved in goals is high as Colorado (Saturday, 3:30 pm ET | UniMás, Twitter — Full TV & streaming info) allows about two goals per game at home.
Forwards
With two matches at home, Wayne Rooney, right, could have a banner performance in Week 29 | USA Today Sports Images
DGW Option: If you’re trying to decide which DGW forward you want to have on your team, why not go with both? Wayne Rooney ($11.6) has provided a great boost to D.C. United’s form and could continue his run of offensive form when United faces Minnesota ( Wednesday, 7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). Reports also suggest that Darwin Quintero ($12.5) could once again be available for the Loons and fantasy managers should not overlook his goal scoring success. But if you must pick one, I lean toward Rooney and his home games.
Late Run: If you’d rather go with a differential forward, then consider Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco ($13.0). No that’s not a typo. Giovinco is currently owned by fewer than 2 percent of fantasy manages even though he’s either scored or assisted in each of his last 10 games. It’s hard to know exactly what to expect from the LA Galaxy (Saturday, 7:30 pm ET | TSN — Full TV & streaming info) now that Sigi Schmid has resigned, but their defense has been lacking all season and it’ll be tough to stop Giovinco’s form.
WHICH PLAYERS are you considering for Round 29?
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