The Copa America break is now over and we’ve all had two weeks to plan our trades for Round 14…wait, what? You didn’t spend your time deep in MLS Fantasy statistics research?
Don’t worry: I’ve done some of the legwork for you and put together a small stat summary over at MLS Fantasy Boss.
As far as Round 14 goes, with so many teams still missing star players, I don’t expect the scores from this round to be much better than Round 13. Below is a list of players who I think will help you ease back into the fantasy waters and help you prep for the more promising rounds on the horizon.
Goalkeepers
Proven Record: Ever heard the saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? Well, that’s definitely true for 'keepers, and that means Zach MacMath ($5.3) is still my top pick coming back from the Copa America break. In addition to Colorado still having the best home defensive form, MacMath is second when it comes to points generated per 90 min played. Combine this with his price, and he’s still the best bang for your buck.
Defenders
Point Producer: If you are trying to find a low cost-point producer, then take a look at Jonathan Campbell ($5.3). While Chicago may be at the bottom of the table, Campbell’s ability to generate bonus points has made him a top 10 fantasy point-producing defender, and his low price moves him to the top of the list for best fantasy value.
Rising Form: With double game weeks quickly approaching again, some may want to use Round 14 as a prep week. If so, then Justen Glad ($5.1) is one to consider. His total score may not be as high as some, but he’s in the top 10 of defenders when it comes to point-producing ability. And he’s the cheapest way into the RSL defense, which is currently the league's second-best when at home.
Value Pick: If you just want to find a cheap player with a good chance to start, then Tommy Redding ($4.8) is the player to look at. He’s played in all of Orlando’s last four games, but has not seen high numbers due to lack of clean sheets. With three of his next five games at home, he has a good shot for a decent score, but let’s be honest, this pick is all about the sub-$5.0 price.
Midfielders
Differential Pick: With the recent news of Federico Higuaín’s injury, Columbus will be looking for a new midfield creator to help keep their home scoring run alive, and I think Justin Meram ($8.6) is that player. Meram has been involved with 6 of Crew SC’s 14 home goals and his efforts have helped them become the second-best home offense. His quality is obvious, and Montreal’s subpar home defensive record gives him a shot at increasing his total.
On Form: When it comes to on-form players, they don’t get much better than Lee Nguyen ($11.8). Over his past three games, Nguyen has scored a goal and an assist in each and racked up a total of 39 points. The big question is, can Nguyen keep up this streak on the road? And even if that answer is no, you should at least start working on a way to bring him in for his upcoming DGW.
Forwards
Rising Form: If you’re considering swapping out one of your big-name forwards, then Bradley Wright-Phillips ($11.1) is the ideal replacement. Over his past three games, he has scored five goals and earned two assists. This has helped make him the most on-form player going into Round 13 and a big threat to the Seattle defense, which has allowed an average of almost two goals per games while on the road.
Differential Pick: If a big-name forward is now what you are looking for, then consider Kekuta Manneh ($8.6). The Whitecaps are hosting New England this week and the Revolution currently have the worst away defense in the league. This is just the setup Manneh needs to increase his scoring totals, which currently stand at three goals and one assist over his last three games.
These are the players I like for Round 14; who are you going with this round? If you are interested in more charts, tips and the like, check out the latest posts over at MLS Fantasy Boss and the other MLS Fantasy Experts.
