Another Double Game Week is in the books, and even with several unexpected rotations, this one was not as unforgiving as the previous. When all the dust settled, the king of Round 8 was Will Basler, manager of Struggle City FC, who earned 137 points and will receive a $25 gift card to the MLS Store. Congrats!
While Will considers a team name change, it’s time for the rest of us to shift our focus to Round 9. Overall, I think this round offers several promising games that could result in some big points for fantasy teams. However, even if you’ve grown weary of DGW players, I don’t think any are worth replacing a player who will have two games in Round 10. With that in mind, there are the players I like for Round 9.
Goalkeepers
DGW Prep: If you are looking for a keeper that will give you more bang for your buck, then consider Rapids GK Zac MacMath ($5.1m). Besides actually playing during DGWs, MacMath’s biggest advantage is the tough Colorado defense he plays behind, which is one of the best both at home and one the road. This has helped him earn two clean sheets and could lead to more over the next few weeks.
Defenders
Homeward Bound: After eight weeks on the on the road, Toronto FC are finally about to play their first home game and that makes it an ideal time to pick up Drew Moor ($7.2m) for your defense. While not a bonus point magnet, over the past three weeks Toronto have earned two clean sheets and they could make it three as they host a struggling Dallas.
DGW Prep: An injury scare a few weeks ago caused many managers to drop Axel Sjoberg ($5.5m) but if you’re trying to build a solid budget defense, he’s essential. Now injury free, Sjoberg is a likely candidate to play both games in Colorado’s upcoming DGW, and his solid defensive performances gives him a shot at clean sheet points this week, too.
Differential Pick: If you want to break the typical defensive mold and bring in a new face, then consider Montreal’s Wandrille Lefevre ($6.5m). With a couple of the Impact’s starting defenders currently injured, Lefevre has been filling in as a center back and earned four points in each of his last two games. This week, he faces a Columbus team what has been struggling to score and could turn into valuable clean sheet points for the less than 1 percent of managers who own him.
Midfielders
DGW Prep: After struggling to score at the start of the season, Colorado has finally started to find the back of the net and Jermaine Jones ($8.2m) is a big reason for this changing form. Over his first three games, he’s scored two goals, earned two assists, and continues to be a driving offensive force while many of Colorado’s other attacking midfielders remain on the injured list.
Worth the Wait: It may have taken longer than many wanted or would have predicted but the Red Bulls have finally started to score and Sacha Kljestan ($11.5m) is leading the way with one goal and four assists over his last three games. With many DGW players underperforming and others slated to leave for the Copa America Centenario, Kljestan could continue to be one of the top scorers over the next four rounds even when on the road.
Forwards
Must Have: Let’s just get this out of the way. Should you get Sebastian Giovinco ($12.4m)? Well, he’s been involved with every Toronto goal so far this season and has four upcoming home games. So, yes.
Not-so-secret: After Robbie Keane was sidelined due to surgery, many wondered who would step up as the target forward at LA. After scoring four goals and earning two assists in three games, clearly that answer is Giovani Dos Santos ($11.2m). This week Dos Santos faces a New England defense that has allowed 12 goals over five away games, so more points appear to be in the cards.
Differential Pick: If you want take a risk on a value forward, then consider Shkelzen Gashi ($9.2m). Over four games, Gashi has scored two goals and earned two assists but less than 2 percent of fantasy manages have been able to benefit from these points. The Rapids host a Real Salt Lake team that is currently in the bottom three for allow goals on the road so high tolerance for risk could potentially pay off.
Who are you targeting for Round 9?
