DiffeRANCHals: 2025 Round 12

 

 

 

 

Every week, we’ll go over our suggestions from last week, and determine if they were a good or bad pick based on position and points. To describe in detail the ranking system, here is the metric: bust = 3 or fewer points (or did not play), average = 4-5 points, good = 6-8 points, great = 9+ points. Double gameweeks (DGWs) are scored as follows: bust = 6 or fewer points (or not starting/on the bench), average = 7-9 points, good = 10-12 points and great = 13+ points. Players not available for selection are disregarded and not counted as either a positive or a negative in the article.

Week 11 Results: 

Matt:

• Alex Freeman – Great! (9 points)
• Daniel Salloi – Bust (3 points)
• Danny Musovski – Great! (9 points)

Ranch:

• Brayan Ceballos- Good (8 points)
• Antony – Bust (2 points)
• Luis Muriel – Good (6 points)

Meg:

• Peyton Miller- Great! (9 points)
• Sebastian Berhalter – Good (5 points)
• Rafael Navarro – Good (6 points)

Matt Results: 4 Great, 6 Good, 7 Average, 13 Bust

Ranch Results: 5 Great, 12 Good, 4 Average, 10 Bust

Meg Results: 1 Great, 2 Good 

2025 Full Season Results: 10 Great, 20 Good, 11 Average, 23 Busts (64%)

 

Welcome back to diffeRANCHals! We had a great collection of picks last week, with Meg joining the crew with a 20-point trio! Hopefully, you took a look at our defender picks and pivoted off some of the chalkier ones that busted. MLS teams joined the US Open Cup midweek, so while some sneaky differentials might pop up with lineup drops, we also have a great selection for you here. Let’s get into it!

Ranch: Tayvon Gray, $6.2m (Defender – NYCFC)

You may have missed the fact that the last 2 games NYCFC has played have resulted in clean sheets for the New York side. Although they played in the USOC midweek, I still fully trust that they can hold their own against Montreal. Tayvon Gray is my pick this week due to his involvement in the attack. He racked up 6 KP last game while hosting Cincy. This week, they have an easier opponent to attack up the wing at Yankee Stadium. That is a recipe for success!

Matt: Andy Najar, $8.0m (Defender – Nashville)

Andy Najar is what Nashville thought they were getting when they signed Shaq Moore. But now that Najar is commanding that right side, fantasy points are flying in. He has a solid floor and has been collecting the occasional attacking return for monster scores. I like this matchup against Charlotte a lot, mostly because of how much Charlotte seems to struggle away from home. I don’t love that Najar will be attacking Tim Ream’s side of the pitch, but I do think there is a good chance for a clean sheet here (especially if Zimmerman is back) as well as some BPs. 

Meg: Aaron Herrera , $6.8m (Defender –DC United)

I know, I know- DCU defense? On the road- crazy concept…but hear me out. Toronto is just not taking many shots on target that paired with the fact that TFC allows goals to be scored but just about anyone, even defenders makes Herrera quite appealing. He is always pushing forward and creating scoring chances, sometimes even snagging a goal on his own. This matchup presents itself as a possible CS as well as BP production, with a side of goal involvement, all of that paired with it being an early game, sign me up– Aaron Herrera makes a perfect bench play. 

Ranch: Diego Luna, $9.8.m (Midfielder – RSL)

The Salt Lake midfielder has been on an absolute tear as of late. Luna has 3 goals in his last 2 games, 5 in his last 5. His production for Salt Lake is something to really start watching. Diego reminds me a lot of Albert Rusnak during his time on RSL. He produces even when people are counting against him. This week, Luna takes on a FC Dallas side who has given up a total of 8 goals in their last 2 games. That is the perfect recipe for Luna to drop a hattrick against them this weekend.

Meg: Brian Gutierrez, $8.9m (Midfielder –Chicago Fire)

Everyone is talking about Chicago at home, being the first game of the week versus a very weak Atlanta squad, so let me introduce you to another Fire player to take a look at….Brian Gutierrez. Guti is essential to Chicago’s attack as he plays the 10 spot, feeding the ball to Cuypers and sometimes taking chances at goals. Atlanta typically gives up goals on the right side, and with Guti preferring his right foot, I foresee chances being placed into motion and shots making their way into the net. 

Matt: Lucho Acosta, $8.20m (Midfielder – FC Dallas)

Imagine telling someone last year that Lucho Acosta would be considered a differential pick this season. But it has been a rough start for the Argentine in Dallas. This matchup, though, could be the one that gets the ball rolling. Real Salt Lake has been mostly bad this season. Outside of a wild win in San Diego, the team has struggled to pick up results. Dallas has also been bad… but has shown glimpses of being able to attack well. This one is more of a gut feeling pick, but Lucho could go back to old ways and smash this week.

Meg: Mohammad Sofo/Serge Ngoma, $5.4m/$4.9m (Forward(s) – New York Red Bulls)

NYRB are back at home and up against a depleted LA Galaxy. Sofo snagged a goal last week against Miami and then also snagged a brace midweek in Open Cup play! There is a chance that Ngoma (if healthy) starts in Sofo’s place, alongside ECM, but if I were to have anything to say about it I would choose Sofo since all of us know you play what is working, riding the hot hand as long as possible. LA Galaxy has allowed 21 goals so far this season, they are currently winless on the road as well which makes NYRB look like a fun play to take a chance on!  Either of these forwards are fairly cheap which gives you the ability to spread funds into other positions if you choose to do so. 

Ranch: Danny Musovski, $6.4m (Forward – Seattle)

Does anybody want to point chase a forward who has scored in 4 straight games? Now is your chance. Musovski has started to mold into this Seattle team with the absence of Morris lately. Keep your eyes peeled for the goal poacher that Musovski is.

Matt: Darren Yapi, $6.1m (Forward – Colorado)

I love this matchup for Colorado. San Jose will probably score multiple goals, but so will the Rapids. Because of that, Navarro and Mihailovic will be chalk picks this week, but Yapi could be a sneaky and cheap way to get into this game. Yapi definitely plays second fiddle to the DP forward, but in his 4 starts this season, Yapi has scored 2 goals in his 6 shots on goal. If you are struggling with your budget or you just want to pivot away from Navarro, Yapi is the perfect person to have.

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Contributors: 
Tyler Norman, @Ranchinator on Discord
Matt Nelson, @Tinkerman on Discord