The transfers are in for Round 9, and we’re starting to see some consolidation in the ranks.
Here’s a list of the 16 most popular players in MLS Fantasy, defined as players owned by more than 20 percent of fantasy managers:
| MLS Fantasy: Most popular players | ||||
| Player | Cost | Sel. % | Form | Pts |
| Octavio Rivero (VAN FW) | $8.9m | 36.4% | 4.3 | 49 |
| Axel Sjöberg (COL DF) | $4.7m | 30.4% | 1.3 | 24 |
| Otis Earle (DAL DF) | $4.0m | 29.4% | 0.0 | 0 |
| Jose Villarreal (LA MF) | $6.3m | 28.8% | 0.2 | 26 |
| Dominique Badji (COL FW) | $4.4m | 28.4% | 2.2 | 16 |
| Harry Shipp (CHI MF) | $7.9m | 27.1% | 4.3 | 38 |
| Taylor Peay (POR DF) | $4.0m | 25.1% | 0.0 | 0 |
| Adam Bedell (CLB FW) | $4.5m | 23.9% | 0.0 | 0 |
| Patrick Doody (CHI MF) | $4.0m | 23.8% | 0.0 | 0 |
| Bradley Wright-Phillips (NY FW) | $11.1m | 22.7% | 3.8 | 45 |
| Benny Feilhaber (KC MF) | $9.7m | 21.6% | 7.2 | 61 |
| Kei Kamara (CLB FW) | $8.6m | 21.4% | 7.4 | 48 |
| Kaká (ORL MF) | $11.4m | 21.4% | 4.8 | 46 |
| Clint Dempsey (SEA MF) | $11.4m | 21.2% | 3.4 | 43 |
| Chris Seitz (DAL GK) | $4.9m | 20.8% | 1.6 | 39 |
| Ryan Hollingshead (DAL MF) | $5.4m | 20.8% | 1.8 | 27 |
It’s a rather diverse mix of players, isn’t it? You have some big-name players (Kaká, Clint Dempsey, Bradley Wright-Phillips) mixed in with some exciting newcomers (Octavio Rivero, Kei Kamara). You also have some bargain starters (Dominique Badji, Axel Sjöberg), as well as some minimum-value players (Patrick Doody, Otis Earle, Taylor Peay).
Of course, this happens every season. In fantasy soccer, managers often flock to the same players and for good reason – they can score a lot of points for you! (Or, as in the case with Doody et. al., they free up some salary cap space so you can add other players.)
If you wanted, you could play your wildcard and add all these players – it’ll only cost you $105.8m. But that doesn’t mean you should. If you really want to succeed, you’re going to have to find something – or someone – to differentiate yourself from the other teams in the league. That’s where differentials come in.
A differential player is someone who’s about to explode with some big performances, but who isn’t owned by that many players. These are the guys that will allow you to make up some ground on your opponents. After all, adding Rivero and Kamara will net you some great production up front, but if everyone else has them, you won’t be able to make any headway against the other managers in your leagues.
With that in mind, here’s a selection of four players I think are poised for big things in the weeks to come. Each player is owned by less than two percent of managers.
David Accam, Chicago Fire ($8.6m, 0.4%): Having gone the full 90 in each of his last two contests, Accam scored the winner against NYCFC last week and has head coach Frank Yallop claiming there’s “more to come” from the Ghanaian. If the Fire can get their attackers on the same page, they could start putting some lopsided numbers up on the scoreboard.
Fabián Espíndola, D.C. United ($10m, owned by 0.6% of managers): Espíndola was dynamite in his first season in Black and Red, recording an 11-goal, 9-assist campaign. Now finished with his six-game suspension for shoving an assistant referee, he’s primed to be a star for a team that has three (!) DGWs through round 14.
Ignacio Piatti, Montreal Impact ($9.6m, 1.1%): Piatti was dynamic in Montreal’s captivating run to the CONCACAF Champions League final, including an away goal in Mexico. Now he can focus his energies on the domestic season. If he can replicate his CCL form, he could be a player to watch in MLS Fantasy.
Mauro Díaz, FC Dallas ($9.1m, 1.3%): There was a goal in his return from injury for FCD’s luminescent playmaker. There’s no dearth of attacking options up front and out wide for Oscar Pareja’s squad, making the man in the middle, Díaz, one to watch.
Snagging these players on the upswing is a great way to put some distance between you and your closest competitors, especially as the season moves forward and more managers gravitate to the same players.
What do you think? Are there any other players you think are poised for a big move? If you’re willing to divulge your secrets, let us know in the comments below.
