KFC’s MLS Fantasy Player Roundup – Week 34

 

It’s a quick turnaround for picks this week. Combine that with all the injuries, cards, Byes, and WCQ call ups making picks can be very tough this week. A lot of teams are going to be stuck with 4+ players who will not have games so pick wisely if you are taking -4s.

I’m going to try to keep this one short this week, mostly so I can keep my sanity, so I’ll try to cover everything.

If you want to see more, keep reading after the break. But please join the discussion at r/FantasyMLS, that’s where a lot of planning is made and last second decisions finalized. If you have questions, please stop by!

Keepers:

This is the shortest section this week. I think you have to have Michael Gspurning (10% @ $5.9m) this week. Only one other team has allowed fewer goals at home than Seattle so they are a good team to bet on. They are going against Vancouver, who are energized after the performance against Portland, but they have only scored 15 goals in their 15 away games, so it should be tough.

The Portland game will be more difficult. Portland has been strong at home and Seattle has not been on the road. But this is a HUGE rivalry; so expect both teams to be on point.  It might not be a CS, but there could be a lot of bonus points. I think it’s worth the risk.

If you don’t like Gspurning, you can also look at Zac MacMath (7.4% @ $5.3m) vs DC, even though he’s away. Sorry DC.

 

Defenders:

Most people are sure to still have Jeff Parke or will be getting him for their match against DC. He and the other top performers (who are still around) will be able to round out any defense nicely.

With the double game, I have to once again start out with Seattle players. I think you have two options. DeAndre Yedlin (10.6% @ $5.3m) and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (4.7% @ $4.5m) are my two recommendations. Yeldin has been getting forward for passes and Hurtado is total defense. So pick the one that best fits your style because both are capable of good numbers.

Next I have to mention Pa-Modou Kah (0.6% @ $4.6m). He’s been putting up monster numbers and I feel bad for overlooking him for this long. With the form Portland has been on recently, he could add a big point boost to your score for a LOW price.

Finally, I’m going to mention Drew Moor (7.5% @ $5.5m) again. He actually grabbed a goal last week and Colorado has been good on the road. They need this win, so that could energize their Defense against a San Jose team that MUST win.

 

Midfielders:

There are SO many options here that it made it hard to narrow the list. Try to find a balance with the few big names left, and some differentials.

Seattle has lost Eddie Johnson to the USMNT and Dempsey is still listed an injured so there is plenty of room for Lamar Neagle (13.5% @ $6.3m) to step up again. Every time there has been a call up for a WCQ, Neagle has done well, and with two games this week, he has plenty of opportunities again.

With the rumor of Brad Davis getting called up by the USMNT, some may be scrambling to replace him. With a couple of home games left, Houston still has other options. Ricardo Clark (4.5% @ $6.7m) performed well last week and several of weeks before that. They are going up against SKC who have been good away recently, but have lost 3 of their last 6 away games. They are also missing a few key players, so it gives Houston a good chance.

I thin the third good choice for this week is the reinvigorated Will Johnson (9.5% @ $7.9m). Since he’s come back from injury, he’s been playing quite well and I think has overshadowed the CONSTANTLY injured Valeri.

But it you’re up for taking a little risk, you may consider grabbing Patrice Bernier (12.0% @ $8.0m). He did not play last week, so will he this week? And what about the double next week?

 

Forwards:

Keane is gone, Higuain is gone….. so who do you go with?

I’m going to say Marco Di Vaio (20% @ $9.5m) again. I know he left early last week, but I’m hoping he’s had enough time to recover more from that injury and Montreal needs him to make it to the playoffs. AND Montreal has 2 games next week.

After him, I’m actually going to say take a look at Chris Wondolowski (19.8% @ $9.8m).  San Jose NEEDS to win against Colorado in order to close the playoff points gap. Colorado has been tough on the road and they have been in good form, so San Jose will have a job to do, but they have been scored 20 goals in 15 home games, so Wondo has a good chance.

After that, the pool gets thinner. I think Will Bruin has a good shot this week, but it’s hard to ignore Camilo Sanvezzo’s goals from last week and what about Philly against DC? I’m planning on running 2 forwards this week because I’m just not sure about a 3^rd.

Final thoughts

• Didn’t mention a lot of Philly players. Definitely option against DC.

• Seattle Double Game is huge, you definitely NEED Neagle on your team

• Don’t forget about GW 35 if you are taking -4s this week.

These are our picks, if you think there should be more names on this list, please leave a comment or come to r/FantasyMLS and comment on the post. You can also leave a message on our Facebook page or you can find us on Twitter @FantasyMLSTips. Keep checking back for more updates through the week for other positions. Good Luck!