MLS Fantasy Strategies: Preparing for the Round 11 DGW

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Updated on May 16, 2016 9:50PM EST

The Round 10 double game week bonanza did not disappoint. The Dream Team racked up 183 points -- the highest total of any round this season -- and featured nine of 11 players coming from teams that played twice. Round 11 presents another opportunity to cash in on players with two games, as four teams are on a DGW. This article will highlight several DGW players at each position to consider when making your transfers. It goes without saying that some single game week players, such as Sebastian Giovinco in Round 10, carry enough upside to outscore double game week players any given round. Luckily for us, Toronto FC and Giovinco are one of four teams playing twice in Round 11.

The Round 11 transfer deadline is Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00PM EDT

DGW Teams	Wed, May 18	Fri-Sun, May 20-22
Chicago Fire	@ New York Red Bulls	vs. Houston Dynamo
New York City FC	@ Toronto FC	vs. New York Red Bulls
New York Red Bulls	vs. Chicago Fire	@ New York City FC
Toronto FC*	vs. New York City FC	vs. Columbus Crew SC

*Only team with two home games

MUST HAVES

Sebastian Giovinco ($12.7m)
Giovinco is both the highest priced and highest scoring player in MLS Fantasy Manager. He's also the most popular player in the game - already owned on over 69 percent of all teams. The Atomic Ant has played a role in all of Toronto FC's 13 goals through their first 10 games of the season. A pair of home games makes Giovinco a no-brainer and he's sure to be the most captained player in Round 11.

Sacha Kljestan ($11.6m)
Kljestan has a favorable schedule with a midweek home game versus the Chicago Fire and a "road" game at New York City FC. Prior to the Red Bulls being shutout at D.C. United last week, Kljestan was on a tear that saw him score a goal and contribute five assists over a four-game span.

David Villa ($11.6m)
The NYC FC captain is tied with Giovinco and Fanendo Adi atop the league goal-scoring chart, and he also leads the league in shots (64). The Spaniard has scored in three straight games and will be a popular pairing with Giovinco this round.

THE OTHERS

FORWARD

Bradley Wright-Phillips ($10.7m)
It took him seven games to get going but BWP finally opened his 2016 goal-scoring account a few weeks ago in Round 7. If he doesn't score you aren't getting points from him elsewhere, so be mindful of the boom-or-bust factor that comes with rostering the big target man. As with Adi last round, I really like the matchups in store for Wright-Phillips at home against the Fire and then against cross-town rivals New York City FC.

Gonzalo Veron ($8.9m)
If you're going with the Giovinco/Villa combo, it'll be tough to find room for BWP too. Veron has slowly been reintroduced to the Red Bulls' lineup since recovering from a hamstring injury, and though he will likely continue to see his minutes limited, he comes at nearly $2m less than Wright-Phillips and makes for a good differential play if you need the savings.

Other forwards to consider: Kennedy Igboananike (Chicago Fire, $8.0m); Khiry Shelton (New York City FC, $5.7m); Joey Calistri (Chicago Fire, $4.5m); Mo Babouli (Toronto FC, $4.8m)

MIDFIELDER

David Accam ($9.1m)
Accam is no guarantee to play in both games but I'm anticipating he'll log anywhere from 120 to 150 minutes. The speedster returned for the first time in over two months with a 45-minute stint over the weekend, and while some rust was evident he showed glimpses of the danger he presents when he's on the field.

Michael Bradley ($10.3m)
Bradley has quietly put together respectable fantasy totals, scoring at least seven points in three of his last four games. As a defensive midfielder, the majority of his fantasy totals come from bonus points, and while he's not a necessity on a DGW, his consistency is worth noting with two upcoming home games.

Thomas McNamara ($7.4m)
Tommy Mac just won't go away. He scored a world-class game winner at Portland on Sunday and now has a goal or an assist in four consecutive games. The only drawback with McNamara is that he rarely goes the full 90 minutes, but given his low price the limited minutes can be ignored on a DGW.

Other midfielders to consider: Mike Grella (New York Red Bulls, $8.0m); Tsubasa Endoh (Toronto FC; $5.3m); Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC; $10.1m); Lloyd Sam (New York Red Bulls; $9.2m); Arturo Alvarez (Chicago Fire; $6.9m)

DEFENDER

Drew Moor ($7.4m)
The veteran center back has scored a combined 35 points in his last five games, and I expect him to continue to produce with Toronto's run of home games. He scored a goal in Toronto's 4-3 loss to Vancouver over the weekend, highlighting the set-piece upside that Moor brings to the table.

Jonathan Campbell ($5.3m)
Campbell is the cheap centerback that frees up funds to spend elsewhere. He's been a mainstay in the Fire starting lineup since Round 2 and is a strong bet to go the full 180 minutes.

Other defenders to consider: Aurelien Collin (New York Red Bulls, $7.9m); Ronald Mataritta (New York Red Bulls, $7.2m); Sal Zizzo (New York Red Bulls, $6.6m); RJ Allen (New York City FC, $5.3m)

GOALKEEPER

Clint Irwin ($5.6m)
Irwin conceded four goals in a home loss to the Whitecaps over the weekend, but he's still the top option playing both Round 11 games at home. While NYC FC and David Villa present a challenge, I'm still skeptical about how the Crew attack will play out post-Kei Kamara. I'm banking on a clean sheet in at least one of the two games and am not giving much consideration to bringing in any of the other goalkeepers listed below for the DGW.

Other goalkeepers to consider: Matt Lampson (Chicago Fire, $4.7m); Josh Saunders (New York City FC, $5.1m); Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls, $5.9m)