MLS Fantasy Boss: Going all-in on the Seattle Sounders in a light Round 15

Reid Connelly

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BYES IN ROUND 12: COL, HOU, NY, PHI, POR, RSL, SJ, SKC, TOR, VAN
UPCOMING DOUBLE GAME WEEKS: None (Rd 15); CLB, COL, DC, LA, MTL, NE, NY, PHI, POR, RSL, SEA, TOR (Rd 16)
Bonus Points: Identifying the best of what's left in a light Round 15
Fantasy Doctor: Use the Round 15 wildcard to get critical with your roster

Not satisfied with your fantasy team? Did you invest in too many Double Game Week players? Or did you burn your wild card early and now regret it? No matter what your situation, the free wild card in Round 15 gives you the chance to reset everything.

While you have the ability to start over, it won’t necessarily be easy. Half the league is on a bye this week, and the upcoming Gold Cup will see a slew of players leave their teams for international action. You’ll need to build a squad that finds the right balance those two curve balls – the players below should help you do just that.

Goalkeepers

I really hate having to trade keepers, so if you’re making a change here you need to think long term. Stefan Frei (SEA $5.9) is the only keeper who offers the ideal combination of shutouts, form, and a promising schedule. Sometimes you just need to go with the obvious pick.

Defenders

Mr. Reliable
: If you’re like me, then you’ve been waiting for just the right time to pick up Montreal’s
Laurent Ciman
($7.6). He’s a CBI magnet, he takes PKs, and Montreal is playing a New York City FC team this week that is struggling near the bottom of the table. The Impact have also been on a great run of form, so now is the time to grab the Belgian international.

MLS Fantasy Boss: Going all-in on the Seattle Sounders in a light Round 15 -

Value Sounder: With Brad Evans only just returning from international duty, his availability for this week’s match against Dallas is questionable. If you’re set on going all in with Seattle this round, then grab Zach Scott ($6.7) as your defender. He filled in for Evans while he was gone and earned respectable CBI numbers – I’d expect to see him for at least one more week.

Budget Pick: With so many teams on a bye, building a decent budget backline is difficult this round. Fortunately, New England’s London Woodberry ($4.5) is still available. His points have been inconsistent, but with Chicago’s poor road form, he’s got a good shot at a clean sheet.

Midfielders

Must Have
: Finding underpriced playmaking midfielders is one of the best feelings for a MLS Fantasy manager, so if you’re not considering nabbing the Impact’s
Ignacio Piatti
(MTL $9.8) this week, I’d encourage you to take a second look. With three assists and two goals in his last five games, Piatti – the driving force in Montreal’s attack – is easily one of the most on-form players under $10m.

Injury Reaction: With Jermaine Jones injured, New England’s Scott Caldwell ($7.5) will be forced into a more prominent role. He’s shouldered increased responsibility well before, scoring a goal and earning three assists over a five-game stretch in an attacking role earlier this year. With Chicago struggling defensively away from home, he could be key for the Revs on Saturday.

Baby Daddy: Clint Dempsey (SEA $11.8) didn’t appear in Seattle’s contest last weekend at Sporting KC due to the birth of his son, but reports are encouraging that he’ll be available this week. While it could be risky to stick with Deuce this round, especially with the Gold Cup coming, his potent partnership with Obafemi Martins could prove deadly against a struggling Dallas team, and that’s worth the risk for me.

Forwards

Safe Pick
: If you’re willing to go all-in on the Sounders, then Martins ($11.6) is the perfect player to round out your squad. He’s back in training following nose surgery and is expected to be available this weekend. You also don’t need to worry about any international call-ups for the Nigerian, so he’ll be available for Seattle’s upcoming DGW and beyond.

Differential: D.C. has two solid forward options this round, but my favorite is Fabian Espindola ($10.4). Some are worried that he will not play on Sunday due to the turf field at Orlando, but I’m betting he’ll stick it out for Ben Olsen’s side. He’s also owned by fewer than 3 percent of managers, so a good game could really help you move up the ranks.

Affordable: If you are looking for a forward who is under $10m, consider the Revolution’s Charlie Davies ($9.0). He’s been streaky this year, but he seems about due for another solid run, especially with Chicago’s weak road defense – they’ve allowed 12 goals in six away games – headed into Gillette.

Who are your targeting with your free wildcard? Share your thoughts below and don’t forget to stop by MLS Fantasy Boss to chat with other managers and check out the other fantasy resources and tips I’ve gathered before you finalize your trades. Good Luck!

Reid Connelly -

@MLSFantasyBoss

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