We’re now over one-third of the way through the MLS season, and if you’re like me, you’re always looking for the next hidden gem to give you an edge over the competition. This week, I’m looking over the entire player pool to see which players have the best form and are playing consistently for their clubs.
Only 12 out of the 20 teams are playing this week, so if you haven’t used your wildcard yet, this may be a good time to reset your team and make sure you have some solid options to carry you through to the first free transfer window.
The points averages are based on the last five significant matches for each player (at least 60 minutes played OR five points scored, minimum three matches), and the play time is the average number of minutes played for the team’s last five matches. Defensive Bonus Points (DBP) and Attacking Bonus Points (ABP) are estimated scores based on the number of positive actions taken in previous matches (key passes, crosses, clearances, etc.)
Goalkeepers
Player |
Team |
Cost |
Pts |
DBP |
Play% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Robles |
NY |
$6.2 |
7.4 |
1.3 |
90% |
MacMath |
COL |
$5.3 |
6.2 |
1.3 |
90% |
Deric |
HOU |
$5.1 |
5.3 |
1.6 |
70% |
Clark |
CLB |
$5.6 |
5.2 |
1.3 |
90% |
Worra |
DC |
$4.0 |
5.2 |
1.0 |
72% |
Seitz |
DAL |
$4.9 |
5.2 |
1.2 |
72% |
Johnson |
CHI |
$5.6 |
5.0 |
1.3 |
54% |
Blake |
PHI |
$5.0 |
4.8 |
1.3 |
90% |
Bingham |
SJ |
$6.2 |
4.8 |
1.4 |
90% |
Frei |
SEA |
$6.2 |
4.6 |
1.4 |
90% |
Colorado and the Red Bulls have been stingy over the last few weeks, although Zac MacMath will likely soon be replaced by incoming Designated PlayerTim Howard. Tyler Deric’s stats are a bit misleading, as he’s had a couple unlucky games now where he’s started but was sent off before the 60-minute mark. Out of the available keepers this week, Chris Seitz might be the best bet for a clean sheet, as he’s playing at home against the Dynamo, who have struggled to score on the road.
Defenders
Player |
Team |
Cost |
Pts |
DBP |
Play% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Burling |
COL |
$6.3 |
7.4 |
1.1 |
67% |
Zimmerman |
DAL |
$6.4 |
7.0 |
1.0 |
90% |
Allen |
NYC |
$5.2 |
6.8 |
1.1 |
79% |
Sjoberg |
COL |
$5.9 |
6.6 |
.8 |
90% |
Beasley |
HOU |
$7.2 |
6.4 |
1.4 |
52% |
Zizzo |
NY |
$6.5 |
6.4 |
1.1 |
73% |
Collin |
NY |
$8.2 |
6.4 |
1.6 |
90% |
Afful |
CLB |
$7.4 |
6.0 |
1.4 |
71% |
Burch |
COL |
$5.6 |
6.0 |
1.0 |
89% |
Williams |
COL |
$7.2 |
5.6 |
1.3 |
90% |
Moor |
TOR |
$7.5 |
5.6 |
1.1 |
90% |
Marshall |
SEA |
$8.8 |
5.6 |
.9 |
54% |
Yaro |
PHI |
$6.1 |
5.6 |
1.0 |
63% |
Abdul-Salaam |
SKC |
$6.3 |
5.4 |
1.1 |
70% |
Matarrita |
NYC |
$7.7 |
5.4 |
1.7 |
54% |
Kemp |
DC |
$8.0 |
5.2 |
.9 |
90% |
Duvall |
NY |
$6.6 |
5.2 |
1.1 |
57% |
Rosenberry |
PHI |
$5.9 |
5.0 |
1.4 |
90% |
Phillips |
RSL |
$6.9 |
5.0 |
1.3 |
59% |
Agus |
HOU |
$7.1 |
5.0 |
.9 |
72% |
Colorado’s typical center back duo of Bobby Burling and Axel Sjoberg both make the top five, with Burling getting a lucky additional clean sheet last week by subbing off before the Rapids conceded a late equalizer to Philadelphia. Aurelien Collin filled a big gap in the Red Bulls’ defense, and he’s generating a ton of defensive bonus points. For this week, Walker Zimmerman and RJ Allen could be good cheap options if they start, and after this week, Sjoberg or Burling would be good long-term options to free up cash elsewhere.
Midfielder
Player |
Team |
Cost |
Pts |
ABP |
Play% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nguyen |
NE |
$11.8 |
11.2 |
1.1 |
82% |
Piatti |
MTL |
$10.8 |
9.6 |
1.0 |
90% |
Morales |
VAN |
$10.9 |
8.2 |
.5 |
80% |
Valeri |
POR |
$10.8 |
8.0 |
1.2 |
89% |
Nagbe |
POR |
$9.3 |
7.8 |
.7 |
72% |
Kljestan |
NY |
$12.0 |
7.8 |
1.0 |
85% |
Sam |
NY |
$9.3 |
7.6 |
.8 |
50% |
Higuain |
CLB |
$10.7 |
7.6 |
1.3 |
89% |
Nyarko |
DC |
$7.3 |
7.0 |
.8 |
59% |
Molino |
ORL |
$8.2 |
7.0 |
.5 |
58% |
Bolaños |
VAN |
$8.1 |
6.8 |
.8 |
72% |
Felipe |
NY |
$8.6 |
6.6 |
.4 |
86% |
Meram |
CLB |
$8.6 |
6.6 |
.6 |
79% |
Diaz |
DAL |
$10.9 |
6.6 |
1.1 |
68% |
Quintero |
SJ |
$6.8 |
6.4 |
.5 |
59% |
Sarvas |
DC |
$7.1 |
6.2 |
.6 |
72% |
McNamara |
NYC |
$7.1 |
6.2 |
.7 |
57% |
Pirlo |
NYC |
$10.2 |
6.2 |
.6 |
69% |
Gerrard |
LA |
$10.1 |
6.2 |
.4 |
57% |
McCarty |
NY |
$9.2 |
6.2 |
.2 |
90% |
Lee Nguyen might have been overlooked by some due to all of the recent double-game weeks, but he’s strung three straight matches together with a goal and an assist. He’s off this week, but plays a DGW in Round 16. Diego Valeri looks to be the best captain choice for this week based off of his recent play.
Forwards
Player |
Team |
Cost |
Pts |
ABP |
Play% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Drogba |
MTL |
$12.1 |
10.2 |
1.1 |
68% |
Wright-Phillips |
NY |
$11.1 |
9.6 |
.4 |
79% |
Giovinco |
TOR |
$12.7 |
9.6 |
1.8 |
76% |
Villa |
NYC |
$11.7 |
8.6 |
.9 |
75% |
O. Kamara |
CLB |
$8.1 |
8.0 |
.5 |
55% |
Manneh |
VAN |
$8.6 |
7.6 |
.4 |
56% |
Plata |
RSL |
$9.5 |
7.0 |
.8 |
58% |
Zardes |
LA |
$9.7 |
7.0 |
.8 |
72% |
dos Santos |
LA |
$11.4 |
7.0 |
.3 |
90% |
Larin |
ORL |
$9.4 |
6.6 |
.6 |
85% |
Akindele |
DAL |
$7.4 |
6.4 |
.4 |
61% |
Agudelo |
NE |
$8.1 |
6.4 |
.7 |
65% |
Magee |
LA |
$7.3 |
6.0 |
.4 |
65% |
Barnes |
HOU |
$8.5 |
5.8 |
.5 |
72% |
Saborio |
DC |
$7.8 |
5.6 |
.4 |
69% |
Didier Drogba had some help from Brian Rowe last weekend, but he’s still producing tons of goals – when he plays. With Bradley Wright-Phillips and Sebastian Giovinco on a bye, the often-inconsistent David Villa leads the pack for available forwards this week, playing at home against Real Salt Lake.
Make sure you get your transfers locked in by 7 pm ET on Wednesday, when the red-hot Philadelphia Union kick things off against Columbus Crew SC. Best of luck!
