MLS Fantasy is all about playing the field. On my magical run to the Grand Prize in 2013, I favored an “All-Out Attack” strategy. I rostered players who were listed as a defender or midfielder, but had more of an attacking role for their team.
Here's my lineup from Round 7 of that fateful season:
This is a prime example of “the perfect fantasy storm.” It is a true 1-3-6 formation (1 defender, 3 midfielders, 6 forwards). My back line saw Rodney Wallace actually take the field as a forward for Portland and Michel line up as a midfielder and primary set-piece taker for FC Dallas. In my midfield, both Lamar Neagle and Tim Cahill were being used as forwards at the time. By employing this strategy, I got the best of both worlds when it came to scoring valuable fantasy points.
So, who will be this season's Rodney Wallace ? Here are a few players to consider as you finalize your rosters:
Defenders
Brek Shea (ORL, $8m) – The winger turned left back has big fantasy upside since he's listed as a defender. Shea should be heavily involved in the Kaka-led Orlando City attack.
Chris Tierney (NE, $7.5m) – Tierney possesses a wicked left foot, as evidenced by his crosses and lethal set pieces. I expect the multi-faceted defender to factor on both sides of the ball again this season.
Jeff Larentowicz (CHI, $7.5m) – The MLS veteran has a history of being a free-kick threat and penalty-kick specialist. While it is not a given that Big Red will be on set-piece duty this season, it is worth keeping an eye on to see how his role is defined.
Others to watch:Robbie Rogers (LA, $7.5m), Victor Bernardez (SJ, $7.5m), DaMarcus Beasley (HOU, $7m), Jack Jewsbury (POR, $6.5m), Marc Burch (COL, $5.5m)
Midfielders
Clint Dempsey (SEA, $11m) – Dempsey dropped 15 goals and 10 assists worth of fantasy points last season. All signs point to another big year from the All-Star forward.
Giles Barnes (HOU, $9m) – The delayed arrival of Dynamo DP signing Erick “Cubo” Torres gives Barnes' fantasy value a slight bump to begin the season. Barnes provided 11 goals and five assists last season, with a majority of the production coming as a forward.
Chris Pontius (DC, $7.5m) – With Eddie Johnson sidelined, a healthy Pontius is in line for plenty of attacking opportunities. And with Fabian Espindola suspended, he might be the No. 1 threat in D.C.
Others to watch:Graham Zusi (SKC, $10.5m), Fabian Castillo(DAL, $9.5m), Sebastien Le Toux (PHI, $9m), Peguy Luyindula (NYR, $7.5m), Gaston Fernandez (POR, $7.5m), Diego Fagundez (NE, $7m), Chris Rolfe (DC, $6.5m)
Who are some players you think will play a primarily attacking role for their club this season? Help your fellow fantasy owners out and let us know in the comment section below.
