Fantasy Doctor: How to fix a broken MLS Fantasy team in Round 20

For the first time since the mega double-match-week at the end of June, the MLS schedule features a midweek game. This bout between Columbus Crew SC and Chicago Fire means transfers have to be made by 8:30 ET Wednesday night. Let’s look at who the popular transfers have been thus far:

Kevin Ellis is riding a nice wave after scoring in the club’s big win over the Whitecaps last weekend. The goal was his second in the space of five games which goes along with five clean sheet bonuses in his past six games. As Bonus Points pointed out yesterday, he’s the most improved fantasy player from the first half of the game to the second half. Certainly worth a pickup.

The rest of the chart, save for Keane, shows managers gearing up to take advantage of the midweek tilt. Gehrig is the most budget friendly option, who with a clean sheet bonus last week is rivaling Keane for production this season. Shipp is a longtime fantasy favorite, but he’s cooled off a bit lately.

• MMCB:Giovinco, Villa steal show in Round 19

Speaking of cooling off, Finlay turned in a two point performance last week after two straight double digit performances. He’ll be fine. Columbus keeper Clark rounds out the double game week shopping spree.

So will this information help my patient of the week? Dan Warchol needs some help making his transfers after an unproductive week. Let’s see if we can help.

Dear MLS Fantasy Doctor,
Had a 33 round week last week; I could use some help. The wheels have fallen off!

Things can change on you in fantasy soccer so quickly. Last week your three dream teamers combined for a whopping six points. That’s not a thing that’s supposed to happen. It feels a bit like this:

The Reliant Robin is such a terrible, terrible car. In this case the three wheeled death trap is also a bit of a metaphor. See, you were riding along fine on your three stars and then a sudden turn tipped it over. Now we’ve got to get it right side up again.

The good news is they’re going to be fine, we just need to tinker a bit. Jorge Villafana ($6.3m) had an excellent June, and though he should be back this weekend I think we should make him our first transfer. We can bring in Gehrig and see what he does over 180 minutes.

• Get more MLS Fantasy news and advice here

For the second transfer I think it’s time for Scott Caldwell ($7.5m) to go. It’s been eight games since he had an assist and ten since he scored a goal. That’s too long a string of two point and three point performances to still have him in your starting XI.

I’m intrigued by Sebastian Lletget ($6.5m), and I think he could be the solution here for you. He has four goals for the LA Galaxy since becoming a regular, and with the addition of Steven Gerrard ($10.0m) into this lineup this weekend there’s a good chance he’ll get wide open looks once again.

Hope this helps!