Highs and lows, that’s the life of a MLS Fantasy manager. And judging by the average score, Round 5 definitely fell into the low category. The exception to this was Jake Owens, manager of Purdue FC, who got the Round 5 high score of 99 points. Along with a feeling of victory, Jake earned a $25 MLS Store gift card and proved that he is a true MLS Fantasy Boss.
As for the rest of us, Round 6 is the perfect week to recover from the Round 5 #FantasySorrows, and the best tool we have is our wild card. If you make the right selections, many of the players you pick for Round 6 should carry you through DGW 10, even with the increased chance of rotations. With that in mind, here is my list of players to target to maximize your Double Game Week points.
Keepers
The Wall: If you caught the amazing performance by Tim Melia ($5.7m) in Round 5, then it’s easy to see why he’s the top, if not only, pick for a DGW keeper. Just keep in mind that SKC suffered several injuries last week and that could result in several rotations to the normally sturdy defense.
Defenders
Still Standing: Over the past couple of games Sporting Kansas City has suffered several defensive injuries and this may cause some managers to question bringing them in for the DGW, but I believe Nuno Coelho ($7.9m) is still a great option. Coelho has the bonus point potential and goal scoring opportunities of a classic top Fantasy CB and a chance to go a full 180 minutes due to the depleted SKC backline.
DGW Budget: Colorado may not be getting the job done on the offensive side of the field, but once again their defense is picking up the slack, and it’s due in no small part to Axel Sjoberg ($5.5m). While his bonus point numbers may not break records, there is a good chance that the Rapids earn at least one clean sheet this week and that should be enough for high points and a value increase for Sjoberg.
Midfielders
Must Have: There is only one clear must have player for this DGW, and that is Diego Valeri ($10.5m). He’s scored a goal or earned an assist in three of his five games, but his true value is his consistent bonus point potential, which gives him the ability to sore big without them. With two games, there is a very good chance that Valeri could hit 20+ points.
Differential: A couple of seasons ago Graham Zusi ($10.1m) was Mr. Fantasy, but now he’s not even owned by 3 percent of managers. So with all the midfield options that SKC have, why Zusi? Besides being tied for most assists, Zusi is the only player who has Key Pass numbers in the double digits. This shows how important he still is to the SKC attack and I believe that will turn into more points over the DGW.
Do or Do Not: If you are one of the thousands of managers who is wondering if you should keep or transfer in Mauro Diaz ($10.6m) this round, the only suggestion I can make to you is maybe. With Diaz not playing in Round 5, there is a chance that Pareja was resting him for the DGW. And if not, even a one-game Diaz is still a very tempting player. That being said, if his injury was worse than disclosed, he may be out for several more weeks.
Forwards
Homecoming: After trading his green shirt for a red one over the off-season, Maximiliano Urruti ($8.7m) is coming back to Portland and that could be the setup for high points this round. Urruti has scored three goals this season, but is currently in a two-game scoring drought. However, the chance to show his former team what he can do with a full 90 minutes may be just the motivation he needs to find the back of the net again.
4 for 4: If you want to load up with four players from one team, then SKC is the team to target and Dom Dwyer ($10.2m) rounds out my top four. When it comes to motivation to score, Dwyer certainly has that, and it may have helped him to produce a goal and an assist last week. I expect that form to carry over into the DGW and would not be surprised if he is on the scoresheet again in Round 6.
These are my picks to help you navigate the DGW. Who are you looking at for Round 6?
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