We’re one week away from the start of the 2015 MLS season and that means it’s time to start getting serious about your fantasy team. I’ve seen a lot of comments and threads recently from managers who are trying to figure out how to stretch their $120 million across 18 player spots. When it comes to this question, I agree with Andrew Winner: You need to go big or go home with your starting XI.
But, if you’re going to neglect your bench and load up with big name players, you’ll need a few low cost starters to free up funds. Unlike Andrew, I’m going to pull out the ole' MLS Fantasy Boss preseason crystal ball to help point you in the direction of some promising preseason value picks.
Goalkeepers
Unless there is an injury, you can expect no goalkeeper under $5m to be a starter, so your best way to save money at 'keeper is to get one $5m starter. Unfortunately, the future is still unclear for most of these players, but the one I feel most confident about is Evan Bush(MTL $5.0). Just keep in mind that Montreal’s season starts with two tough away games and a bye week, so your best vale may actually be to spend that extra $0.5-$1m on a premium 'keeper.
Defenders
At last, the crystal ball is starting to get clearer and I’m seeing four names: two center backs, and two full backs. Walker Zimmerman (DAL $5.5) has played almost every preseason minute for FC Dallas and should have good bonus point production as a big CB paired up with Matt Hedges. Your other CB option is former Chivas USA starter Bobby Burling (COL $5.0) who has not only started a couple games for Colorado, but has the needed experience for the start of a season and had the highest 2014 score of any $5.0 defender.
As for the full backs, Rafael Ramos (OLC $5.5) is practically a “must have” if you’re trying to save money because he is the only defender who has started every preseason game for Orlando! The final name, and another former Chivas starter, is Donny Toia (MTL $5.0), who is a main part of the new Montreal defense and was able to rack up an assist during their CCL game on Tuesday.
Midfielders
Value and cheap are relative terms when we start talking about midfielders. My crystal ball focused on players who are under $8m. Newcomer Kristinn Steindorsson (CLB $7.5) already has a preseason goal under his belt and should start while Meram sits out for his red card at the end of 2014, but you’ll need to have a plan to overcome the early bye rounds that Columbus has. Another player benefitting from a 2014 carryover suspension is Chris Pontius (DC $7.0), who has been starting at forward in preseason and should have the spot at least until Fabian Espindola returns. The final name I see is Sebastian Velasquez (NYC $6.5), who started in almost every NYCFC preseason game and may just be the cheapest CAM in Fantasy MLS when the season starts. He’s a definitely another candidate for “must have” player status.
Forwards
Unfortunately my crystal ball looks more like a Magic 8 Ball when I ask about value forwards. All it tells me is to “Try Again”. No problem though, because this is the reason you have been saving your money, right? So you could load up with premium starters, right? So after you find a player or two, just fill with rest of your roster with $4.5m players. The only two recommendations I have for you are Adam Bedell (CLB $4.5), who saw limited play time during the preseason and scored a couple of goals in 2014, and Devon Sandoval (RSL $5.5), who has racked up three goals during his six preseason games. However, both of these players may not be starters.
Depending on your definition of value, there are other players who you will want to consider to help stretch your funds. If you have any other value players that you have been keeping an eye on, be sure to share them with others in the comments below.
If you’re interested in reading about others, be sure to stop by MLSFantasyBoss.com and take a look at some of my supplemental picks articles. It’s always challenging to predict starting lineups, but I don’t need a crystal ball to know that with the right combination of value players, your friends will soon consider you an MLS Fantasy Boss.
