An exciting Round 13 culminated with some MLS Fantasy controversy on Sunday. Thirty-five percent of fantasy owners everywhere rejoiced when Clint Dempsey finally broke through with a stoppage-time winner for Seattle against the Red Bulls. It was a welcome sight, as Deuce had a quiet 180-minute round prior to his late magic. Captain America had just saved our fantasy week, and all was well in the world.
Then Chad Barrett happened.
Oh, the heartbreak! I was in denial and was certain that the stat-keeper failed to roster Dempsey on his own MLS Fantasy team. Alas, I reminded myself that it was only a two-point difference between a goal and an assist, and called it a round.
Dempsey and Barrett were hardly the only Sounders to have an impact on Round 13, with three Seattle players making the Dream Team. Fantasy manager Patrick Long led his Ginga Ninja squad to the top team for the round, thanks to a pair of spectacular goals from top player Marco Pappa and another big outing from Sporting KC players.
It’s time to shift our focus to Round 14, where we have another six-team Double Game Week. There is no need to plan ahead for Round 15, as you’ll be able to make unlimited transfers without being penalized.
- The transfer deadline for Round 14 is Wednesday, June 3 at 7:00 pm ET.
- Review the MLS Injury Report and MLS Disciplinary Report as it is updated throughout the week.
- Be wary of international call-ups over the next couple of rounds. There were nine MLS players named to the USMNT roster – though Jermaine Jones was scratched – for a pair of upcoming friendlies in Europe, while several other players around the league will head abroad for matches with their countries. Keep an eye on this evolving roundup of all the MLSers called up for international duty.
DGW x 6: The Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United, Montreal Impact, Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps all play twice in Round 14. D.C. and Philadelphia each play both games at home.
Here are a few players I am targeting to earn big points in Round 14:
Kei Kamara – Columbus Crew SC – Forward ($9.1m) – Kamara scored his league-leading 10th goal of the season on Saturday and now has five goals in his last four games. With two bites at the apple this week, the big Crew SC target man is as close to a must-have as it gets.
Matt Polster – Chicago Fire – Defender($4.8m) – The rookie continues to be an anchor in the Fire midfield, turning in an eight-point fantasy performance in a 3-0 win against the Montreal Impact. He’s listed as a defender in MLS Fantasy, making him eligible for additional shutout points. Priced at $4.8m, Polster makes for a fine pickup to allow you to pay up for the high-priced studs.
Fernando Aristeguieta – Philadelphia Union – Forward($7.6m) – The Venezuelan DP was active in his return from international duty over the weekend and was perhaps a bit unlucky not to have scored. The Union attack looks to be rounding into form just in time for consecutive home games in Round 14, and Aristeguieta could be a good bet to get his name back on the score sheet.
Are you still fuming from the Dempsey/Barrett goal debacle? Who are you targeting in Round 14? Let us know in the comments below.
