I’ll be honest. I was not looking forward to Round 25 at the start of the week. Most of the best players were unavailable, I didn’t care for many of the matchups, and knew I would end up with a few 0 point players. However, by the end of the night, my ambivalence had been replaced by pleasant surprise and a screen full of green arrows. For me, it was my Philadelphia Union players who made the difference, but Krol Artur, manager of SANDECJA, had a team full of big point earners who helped him get the top score for the round of 83 points and a gift card to the MLSStore.com. Congrats!
Round 25 may be over, but the fun is just starting because Round 26 kicks off Friday! If you forgot about this, you may be scrambling to make some transfers and fortunately every team is back in play and these are the players who I think you should consider.
Goalkeeper
Big Money: If you’re in the market for a new goalkeeper and are willing to throw some cash around, then consider Luis Robles ($6.4). It’s been a while since the Red Bulls earned a clean sheet, but with a couple of games that could prove fruitful against New England and Vancouver coming up, Robles could soon receive a significant point jump.
Defenders
Differential Pick: If you don’t need a new keeper, but still want to take advantage of New York’s schedule, then Chris Duvall ($6.2) is your cheapest option. He does not stand out when it comes to bonus points, but New England has only scored two goals in their last five games, so his chances for a clean sheet look good.
On Form: Philadelphia has come a long way since the start of this season and with their new found form, it will be worth having a few of their players on your team and Keegan Rosenberry ($5.8) is an excellent one to start with. Over his last three games, he’s not only earned defensive bonus points but offensive ones too. Who knows, maybe he’ll even get you another goal.
Midfielders
Differential Pick: Last season, Ethan Finlay ($10.7) took fantasy by storm and became one of the breakout value picks of 2015. He’s not been as productive these season, but over his last three games, his form has started to improve and he’s scored three goals. Columbus average almost two goals per game at home, and Finlay will remain a high priority target against the Quakes.
Well Rested: Many managers were disappointed that Steven Gerrard ($10.7) did not play against Chicago last week, but that just means that he’ll be well rested for the game against Vancouver. This is bad news for the Whitecaps because Gerrard has earned three assists in his last for games and they currently have the second worst away defense in the league.
Forwards
Playing the Odds: If you’re looking for a player with a great shot at multiple goals, then Bradley Wright Phillips ($11.6) is your man. He’s scored six goals in five games and will be taking on a New England defense that currently the worst in the league on the road. Don’t count on a hat trick, but a brace is definitely possible.
Budget pick: If your budget can’t afford to add a big name player like BWP, then consider Patrick Mullins ($6.4). While he’s not played a full 90 minutes yet, he’s getting much more time on the field at DC and their faith has been rewarded by a goal and an assist over his last three games. He’s fitting in well with this new system and could be rewarded with more points when DC takes on a Chicago defense that is still very questionable in my mind.
These are the players who I think are worth investing in for Round 25, who are you considering? Post your thoughts in the comments below and if you are interested in more charts and tips, check out the latest posts over at MLS Fantasy Boss and advice from the other MLS Fantasy Experts.
