The key to MLS Fantasy soccer is vigilance. All the stats, all the predictions, all the preparation: the purpose behind it is to ready yourself for the twists to come. And there are always twists. One player’s rise is negated by the return of another from injury. Red cards, international breaks, you never know when a monster is going to pop out of the woods.
These moments are terrifying, but the ever-vigilant should have no problem finding a way to keep ahead of the big and scary. Last round – with its universal wildcard and low average score – was an odd duck. With the ability to add anyone, we still weren’t adding the right players.
As was written in this week’s Monday Morning Centerback, New York City and Seattle were the way to go last round. Despite that, outside of David Villa, not too many Fantasy players were snapping up Citizens for their squads.
Player |
Round Score |
Selected by % |
|---|---|---|
<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kwadwo-poku" target="_blank">Kwadwo Poku</a> ($6.6)</p> |
<p>9</p> |
<p>0.4%</p> |
<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/chris-wingert" target="_blank">Chris Wingert</a> ($7.0)</p> |
<p>8</p> |
<p>2.5%</p> |
<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/mehdi-ballouchy" target="_blank">Mehdi Ballouchy</a> ($6.8)</p> |
<p>8</p> |
<p>1.2%</p> |
<p><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/mix-diskerud" target="_blank">Mix Diskerud</a> ($9.1)</p> |
<p>6</p> |
<p>7.9%</p> |
In their next three fixtures NYC have to travel to Canada twice, while hosting the New York Red Bulls in between those matchups. Are the players in the above chart worth taking a flyer on?
Poku got his nine points in 16 minutes of play off the bench. However, this is his second straight match registering an assist. Perhaps this is a turning point for a player compared during the preseason to Yaya Toure? He’s certainly one to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.
Wingert is a known property, and, outside of City’s clean sheets, hasn’t been a huge fantasy producer. Ballouchy has come up with a handful of goals, and with his first assist of the season last round showed the versatility that makes him attractive at such a low price point.
Don’t forget the new additions Andoni Iraola and Angelino. They aren’t eligible to suit up for NYCFC until July 8, but keep an eye out for their addition to the game, and at what price they come in at.
This week’s patient comes in via twitter, @baerwitness, and they’d like some help making their two free transfers this week. Let’s see what we can do:
My first suggestion is a straight swap price-wise. You have Jorge Villafana ($6.2) currently in your XI, and I think we should swap him for Justin Morrow ($6.2). Toronto FC host a warming-up New York City this week, but, regardless of how that game goes, the Reds get to participate in the Round 17 double match week bonanza. Morrow’s been in good form as of late, even adding a goal in Round 14.
I’m not sure if you have any extra funds, but my second recommendation is to transfer Victor Ulloa ($6.4) off your bench to bring in Poku. My hunch there is that if Ulloa’s form drove you to bench him, you’d be amenable to adding Poku and seeing if he does find his way into NYCFC’s regular starting lineup.
Make these moves and we might be able to turn this team around. Every player in your XI will play twice in Round 17, which hopefully saves you a transfer and will allow you to make three coming out of that round.
Best of luck, hope this helps!
-- MLS Fantasy Doctor
