Round 14 of MLS Fantasy served as another reminder of just how unpredictable MLS can be. It was also a kick in the gut to those who made their transfers early in the week, rather than waiting until the initial starting lineups were released an hour before the transfer deadline.
Regardless of if you played it safe and waited, the scramble was on once the midweek starting lineups dropped. Among the midweek absentees was the most-owned player in the game – Kei Kamara. Selected by 35 percent of all fantasy managers, Kamara logged just 25 minutes off the bench in Crew SC’s Wednesday game at Philadelphia. The league’s leading scorer put in a full 90 minute shift in the second game of the week, but was unable to connect after firing off 10 shots in a 2-1 home loss to the Montreal Impact.
Among others who were a surprise scratch in Round 14 was D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid, whose fill-in Andrew Dykstra was good enough to earn a spot on this week’s Dream Team. DGW players took up 10 of the 11 spots in the Dream Team, led by three players each from both Philadelphia and Montreal. Top player of the round went to David Accam, who departs for Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in fine form after scoring 2 goals and adding an assist en route to an 18-point round.
Manager Law Dogg led his team, Sons of Pitches, to 114 points for the highest score of the round. As we near the halfway point JD Bazzo’s Tippy-Tappy FC is at the top of a congested Overall leaderboard. A mere two points separates him from second place Craig Bettles and Poor Man’s Porales. With 20 rounds yet to be played, there are a number of teams within striking distance of the $1,000 Grand Prize!
Things slow down somewhat over the next couple of rounds, with no teams on a DGW again until Round 17, when 12 teams will play twice. There are 10 teams on a bye in Round 15, but no need to fret because all fantasy managers have unlimited free transfers this round to deal with the plethora of teams on byes.
- The transfer deadline for Round 15 is Saturday, June 13 at 7:00 pm ET.
- Review the MLS Injury Report and MLS Disciplinary Report as it is updated throughout the week. A number of key MLSers are still away on international duty – review the running list of MLS international call-ups for June FIFA dates.
- If you have any questions regarding a specific player’s status, let me know in the comments section below. I will offer any insight available at the time to help you make an informative decision before the transfer deadline.
Bonus Tip: Use the wildcard wisely, not only setting your team up for Round 15 but also looking ahead and stocking your bench with players who will play in Rounds 16 and 17. Of the teams playing in Round 15, Columbus Crew SC and Chicago Fire are on a bye in Round 16. Look ahead to Round 17 and target players who are in the Round 17 DGW bonanza. Six teams playing in Round 15 are among the Round 17 teams that play twice: Montreal Impact, Columbus Crew SC, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders and D.C. United.
Here are my top plays for Round 15:
David Villa–New York City FC – Forward ($10.4m) - The Spanish DP looked sharp in NYCFC’s 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Union over the weekend, coming close to scoring on four shots in 90 minutes. New York City now hosts the same Montreal Impact defense that Kei Kamara just rattled off 10 shots against, and I’m targeting Villa to have a breakout performance.
Clint Dempsey–Seattle Sounders - Midfielder ($11.8m) – Deuce should be back in action after missing Round 14 for the birth of his son. With only five games on the board in Round 15, and a favorable matchup at home against FC Dallas, the US national team star is worth paying up for to solidify your midfield.
Kaká - Orlando City SC – Midfielder ($11.7m) – Kaká has three goals in his last four games, and will be asked to shoulder even more of the attacking load against D.C. United with Orlando's leading scorer Cyle Larin away on international duty and Brek Shea facing a tough task to return in time for the Lions on Sunday after the US's friendly at Germany on Wednesday.
How do you plan to use your free wildcard in Round 15? Let us know in the comments below.
