Last week, we took a look at how to build your fantasy team’s bench. Whether you’re going for broke or spreading the love, you’ll need a few players you can count on each week to deliver points. Every team needs anchors — players who are constant threats for goals, assists, clean sheets, and bonus points.
Based on last year's numbers and some personal predictions, here are the five most valuable players I’ve identified for the 2015 MLS Fantasy season. They’re some the most expensive players in their position groups, but I think they’ll repay you with excellent production and the corresponding increases in value. You might even give them the captain's armband.
Let’s get right to the list:
Robbie Keane (LAG, $11m): Once again, Robbie Keane was the first player chosen on my fantasy roster. Following up on the numbers crunched by Schuyler Redpath two weeks ago, few players were as dangerous as Keane in 2015. That's no mystery. The Irish forward managed 7.11 points per 90 minutes and always found himself in the middle of the attacking action for the MLS Cup champs. It’s tempting to take the cheaper option in Gyasi Zardes (LAG, $9.5m), but I think the extra $1.5m is worth it for a fantasy thoroughbred. (However, you’re well with in your rights to take both, especially considering LA’s favorable March schedule.)
Brek Shea (ORL, $8.0m): I’m all in on Orlando City, which takes a place in a wide-open Eastern Conference with high expectations. While fellow expansion club NYCFC also have some excellent talent, I’m backing Orlando to make waves early in the season because of the continuity head coach Adrian Heath brings from the USL PRO days. Shea — who has the pedigree to be the No. 1 attacking fullback in the league — looks to have the green light from Heath to hightail it into the opponent’s penalty area. Jeff Larentowicz (CHI, $7.5m) led defenders with six goals last season, I expect Shea to better that mark in 2015.
Kendall Waston (VAN, $8.5): Speaking of defenders who are threats to score, no player impressed me more in the penalty area last season than Waston. Acquired by the Whitecaps last August, the 6-foot-5 Costa Rican center back immediately solidified the Canadian club’s back line. In 10 matches (9 starts), Waston notched five clean sheets, two goals, and even earned two penalties for his side. Projecting that production over a full season has many fantasy owners drooling, including this one.
Clint Dempsey (SEA, $11.0m):
Last season’s Supporters Shield winners seem to have it all figured out on offense. Dempsey’s 15 goals in 2014 trailed only New England’s
Lee Nguyen
in the midfield position group, but Dempsey added 10 assists for the league’s second-highest scoring outfit. The loss of
Osvaldo Alonso
will undoubtedly affect the Sounders in all areas, but Dempsey’s form in the USMNT January camp and unquestioned status as the focal point of Seattle’s powerful attack should allay any concerns you have about meeting his $11m asking price. Plus,
Oba
.
- FANTASY DOCTOR: Should Róchez and Aristeguieta be your answers up top?
Kaká (ORL, $11m): Fear not, the talent in the upper echelons of the midfield pool can be season changing. Even with Diego Valeri still recovering from a knee injury, Javier Morales (RSL, $10.5m), Pedro Morales(VAN, $11m), and Nguyen (NE, $11m) are three available players who scored right around 200 points last season. I’m choosing the former FIFA World Player of the Year to put up big numbers as the fulcrum of the Orlando City attack. The Brazilian should stand over all the free kicks and showed an ability to score in open play in the preseason against Orlando’s Round 1 opponent, New York City FC.
There you have it. I’d feel comfortable handing any of these players the armband (FWIW, I’m handing it to Keane in Week 1). Bye weeks and injuries notwithstanding, these players should form the core of my fantasy roster for weeks to come.
That’s my take. But to paraphrase Chris Rock—who is your Top 5? Let us know in the comments below.
