If you’ve logged into MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager this week, chances are you’re seeing a lot of red markers. A spate of injuries and suspensions have hit some of the game’s biggest names, including Mauro Díaz, Matt Hedges, Marco Pappa and Diego Valeri. To make matters worse, it can be hard to discern when players are going to return from injury.
However, the show must go on, and fantasy managers will need a backup plan to replace these marquee names. In this column, we’re going to take a look at some similarly-priced players who are primed to fill in for your injured stars.
Injured player: Marco Pappa ($8.2m)
Suggested replacement: Jermaine Jones ($8.2m)
In all honesty, adding JJ should be your first priority this transfer window. The veteran marked his Colorado debut with a goal and an assist, notching 15 points. At only $8.2m, he’s tremendously undervalued and a straight swap for Pappa, who is out 2-4 weeks with a knee injury.
Suspended player: Diego Valeri ($10.3m)
Suggested replacement: Ignacio Piatti ($10.6m)
Valeri didn’t do his fantasy managers any favors with his foolish red card in the second game of his Round 6 Double Game Week. With Portland’s Round 7 bye, Valeri will serve his suspension in the first match of his team’s Round 8 DGW. While one game of Valeri isn’t bad, I’d much prefer three helpings of Nacho in the next two weeks, as would many others.
Injured player: Mauro Díaz ($10.6m)
Suggested replacement: Kaká ($10.9m)
Without question, Mauro Diaz was the one standout from the early MLS Fantasy season, which might help explain why he’s still selected by 11.9 percent of managers. Until he’s back for good – and Dallas coach Oscar Pareja on Thursday said Diaz is fit and will travel with the team to Vancouver – consider adding Kaká from Orlando City. He’s the safest pick out there: Not only does he take most of his team’s free kicks and penalties, but he’s a bonus point monster. (And now that we’ve said that, Diaz is sure to return in Round 7 with a monster game.)
Injured player: Matt Hedges ($9.0m)
Suggested replacement: Chad Marshall ($8.6m)
The hottest striker in Rave Green isn’t named Dempsey or Morris. That honor goes to three-time Defender of the Year Marshall, who has scored in back-to-back matches and tops the form chart for defenders. The Impact’s Laurent Ciman ($8.8m), who has a DGW in Round 8, also makes a great fill-in for Hedges, who faces 4-6 weeks on the sideline.
Injured player: Gastón Sauro ($7.6m)
Suggested replacement: Chris Tierney ($8.1m)
The Columbus center back faces at least one more match on the sidelines as he recovers from a hamstring injury. It’s a little bit more cash, but Tierney is one of the better attacking outside backs in the league and is on a DGW in Round 8.
Injured player: Robbie Keane ($11.5m)
Suggested replacement: David Villa ($11.3m)
New York City’s first DGW looms in Round 8, and the 34-year-old Spaniard has played every minute this season, making him an attractive option. At $11.3m, the salaries are similar enough that you should be able to swap Keane back into the lineup when he’s ready to return, if you so choose. Fanendo Adi ($10.2m) and Dom Dwyer ($10.2m) are the other obvious choices here.
So those are some understudies you can lean on while your leading men rest up. In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to take a -4 or even a -8 to rejigger your squad. If you do, it’s worth scrolling ahead in the schedule and taking those future DGWs into account.
As always, don’t forget to check the Injury Report and Disciplinary Summary before you make your final moves.
Good luck this week!
Has your squad been decimated by injuries? Are you considering taking a penalty to fix your team? Let us know in the comments below.
