With half the league on a bye with the FIFA international window this weekend, pickings are a bit slimmer this time around. Managers have to deal with the players off this week, plus the players whose teams are playing but are themselves away on international duty. So let us check on who is available this week, and who is likely to raise your team to fantasy glory.
The good news is the universal wildcard, which makes adjusting for the weekend ahead a mite easier. Even with the limited field, the game is lousy with players who can be big contributors. Sure there’s things to nitpick about each of them, but don’t let it bug you.
Strategically, the universal wildcard isn’t just about competing this week, but stuffing your bench with players you want to use going forward. When putting together your starting XI for the week, focus on bargains to give you the budget to stash a bunch of high-priced stars on your bench.
Inexpensive contributors like Shaun Francis ($5.3) of San Jose, who has ridden four straight Quakes clean sheets to straight sixes going back to round 22. You can take a risk and bet on Collen Warner ($6.6) of Toronto stepping up this week and getting his third goal of the season.
Kennedy Igboananike ($7.5) of Chicago has had two braces over the past three weeks. Who wouldn’t want a guy like that on their team?
Before I get into this week’s patient, a brief programming note. This will be my last column as MLS Fantasy Doctor, but fear not. I’m moving on to the Monday Morning Centerback for the rest of the year as we make some shifts in our coverage to make sure we’re giving you exactly what you need to succeed week to week.
That out of the way, let’s have some fun!
Our patient of the week is Jeffrey Guerrera, who is just checking in to make sure his squad is ready to go. Let’s see where his team is:
Dear MLS Fantasy Doctor,
Here’s what I’ve got. What do you think?
Here’s someone who has all their boxes checked. The bench is set up for next week with five players who will be on a double match week next round. Out in the starting XI, your bases are covered for this week, with 10 players at home and Michael Bradley.
I’m going to say it’s worth considering Nelson Valdez vs. Igboananike. Probably not a huge deal, but a tweak you could make. Otherwise, I think this is a good example of how to prep for this week and the future simultaneously.
Best of luck, hope this helped!
MLS Fantasy Doctor
