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The official rosters for the CONCACAF Gold Cup came out on Tuesday, and there were no shortage of MLS players called, with 45 players from 19 clubs set to represent 10 different countries at the tournament.
So many departures will have major implications for MLS Fantasy, with plenty of regular reserves set to slot in for their bigger-name teammates while they’re on international duty. That makes now a great time to take a few risks and pick up a high differential player or two.
Here’s a list of players who I think could be in line for some serious points while their teammates are away at the Gold Cup.
Goalkeepers
There’s just not a lot to say about the alternate ‘keeper options who will be available during the Gold Cup. Only four of the departing MLS players are ‘keepers, and only two of those four are starters. Their likely replacements have played fewer than five games and clean sheets have been few and far between. But if you currently have Nick Rimando or Jaime Penedo on your team, you’ll need to find a replacement. My top pick is Jeff Attinella (RSL $5.0) due to his 2014 clean sheet record and having most of his starting defense available. The only other option is Brian Rowe (LA $4.5), who was not very impressive early in the season but would qualify as a pure value pick.
Defenders
With Omar Gonzalez called up by the US, LA will need to find a replacement for their big center back. Leonardo ($7.4) has already been filling the role while AJ DeLaGarza was away with Guam, so he’s the natural choice. He’s also quite a bit cheaper than Gonzalez and has posted some good CBI production.
If you own Brad Evans and are looking for a cheaper center back, then stick with Seattle and grab Zach Scott ($6.7). He’s stepped into the role several times this season and has started to become a regular over the past few weeks.
Kofi Sarkodie (HOU $6.6) has been trying hard to break back into the Houston starting XI and the loss of Jermaine Taylor to the Gold Cup will provide him an excellent opportunity to prove his worth. He’s not a player who’s going to earn a lot of CBIs, but the past couple of seasons have shown that he has the ability to earn assists.
Midfielders
If you dropped Benny Feilhaber (SKC $10.2) during Sporting Kansas City’s bye week, now is the time to pick him back up. With Graham Zusi called up for the US, Feilhaber – the top-scoring player in MLS Fantasy – will once again be the focal point for creating SKC’s offense.
Last year we got a taste of what Lamar Neagle (SEA $8.8) can do when Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins are forced off the field. He plays a more forward role, becomes a target for the offense and tends to find the back of the net. With Dempsey suspended in MLS and off with the USMNT and Martins injured, Neagle will get plenty of opportunities over the coming weeks. Now is a good time to invest.
One of the teams hit hardest by the Gold Cup is Houston, who will be missing three starters, including two of their best midfielders. This leaves big shoes for the rest of the team to fill, and Ricardo Clark ($6.9) is one who could step up. He’s already a guaranteed starter, but with fewer than 3-percent ownership, he could be an excellent differential play.
Forwards
If you are looking for the best budget option during the Gold Cup, consider RSL’s Devon Sandoval ($5.6). He’ll likely be RSL’s target striker with Alvaro Saborio gone with Costa Rica, and he should have plenty of chances for points with Joao Plata and Javier Morales running with him.
Dallas is finally coming off a run of painful away games, but the bad luck is not over for them yet. They will be missing both of their main forwards, Blas Perez and Tesho Akindele, so they will have to find another option up top. Fortunately they still have David Texeira (DAL $7.6), and he provides an excellent budget option if you have faith in a home victory.
Every manager knows which Toronto player to look at during the Gold Cup, one who has flown under the radar during the Sebastian Giovinco hype is Luke Moore (TOR $6.6). The Englishman has hit a recent run of form, racking up three assists and one goal over the last four games. With Jozy Altidore gone, he’s likely to keep his starting spot for the foreseeable future.
Do you have your eye on anyone else? Post your thoughts below or stop by MLS Fantasy Boss and share your thoughts with other managers.
