This article is part of our MLS Fantasy Strategies series.
One of the biggest DGW's of the season is upon us in Round 10, with eight teams playing twice. This article will touch on several players at each position who could benefit from the Round 10 DGW. Lineup rotation is inevitable with multiple fixtures within days of each other, but we're looking to include as many players with 180-minute potential as possible.Remember there is a $25 MLS Store Gift Card awarded to the highest score each round, so if you haven't already created a MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager team now is the perfect time to join the fun.
DGW Teams | Wed, May 11 | Fri-Sun, May 13-15 |
Chicago Fire** | @ Vancouver Whitecaps | @ New England Revolution |
Colorado Rapids | vs. Sporting Kansas City | @ Columbus Crew SC |
FC Dallas* | vs. Portland Timbers | vs. Seattle Sounders |
Houston Dynamo | @ San Jose Earthquakes | vs. Real Salt Lake |
Philadelphia Union | vs. LA Galaxy | @ Montreal Impact |
Portland Timbers | @ FC Dallas | vs. New York City FC |
Sporting Kansas City | @ Colorado Rapids | vs. Orlando City SC |
Vancouver Whitecaps | vs. Chicago Fire | @ Toronto FC |
*Two home games
**Also has a DGW in Round 11
MUST-HAVES
Diego Valeri ($10.5m)
Valeri had a quiet four-point outing in Round 9 but that won't keep me from bringing the Argentine back into the fold for Round 10. The midfielder will be a handful for a reeling FC Dallas squad and is a captain candidate with a home game against NYC FC to round out the DGW. He's already selected on over 20 percent of all fantasy teams and I expect that number to hit close to 30 percent by the transfer deadline.
Mauro Diaz ($10.6m)
Diaz had six points last weekend despite FC Dallas being shutout for the third straight game. Dallas and Diaz have a good opportunity to right the ship with a pair of home games in Round 10. The cog to the FCD attack has a goal and two assists in two appearances at home this season and could go overlooked with Dallas' recent run of form.
THE OTHERS
FORWARD
Fanendo Adi ($10.3m)
Adi co-leads MLS with seven goals on the young season, and he's dishing assists too, as he has a goal or an assist in four straight games. The big target-man is dangerous at all times, but I especially like his matchup at home on Sunday against New York City FC.
Maximiliano Urruti ($8.5m)
The fantasy points have dried up for Urruti and the Dallas attack, having been shut out in three consecutive games. The one constant is that Urruti has started every game this year and is playing major minutes for FC Dallas. He has three goals and two assists on the season and will have a good opportunity to add to those totals with two home games in Round 10.
Other forwards to consider: C.J. Sapong (Philadelphia Union, $8.2m); Shkelzen Gashi (Colorado Rapids, $9.1m); Luis Solignac (Colorado Rapids, $7.2m); Giles Barnes (Houston Dynamo, $8.5m); Dom Dwyer (Sporting KC, $10m)
MIDFIELDER
Jermaine Jones ($8.2m)
Jones has thrived in an attacking role for his new club, as he's up to three goals and one assist in four games since making his Rapids debut. There is always concern that he'll pick up a yellow card (he has two in four games) but the attacking upside in his new role is enough for me to ignore those concerns (for now).
Christian Bolanos ($8.1m)
Bolanos has come alive with a goal in three straight games, scoring 25 fantasy points over that span. While I'm not banking on him to keep that strike rate up, he's worth considering at a reasonable price.
Benny Feilhaber ($10.9m)
He's been relatively quiet over the last several rounds, but he is still collecting bonus points and has yet to score fewer than four points in any round this season. With SKC playing three of their next four games at home, I'm willing to stick with Benny. If you're considering taking the savings with Graham Zusi ($10.1m) keep in mind he will be departing for Copa America training ahead of Round 11.
Other midfielders to consider: Andrew Wenger (Houston Dynamo, $7.2m); Pedro Morales (Vancouver Whitecaps; $10.9m); Chris Pontius (Philadelphia Union, $7.2m)
DEFENDER
Jonathan Campbell ($5.3m)
The rookie defender will be a popular pickup given his price and strong start to the season. The Fire don't have the easiest of DGW schedules, but considering they have another DGW in Round 11, investing in Campbell now is a set-it-and-forget-it play.
Axel Sjoberg ($5.6m)
A clean sheet and a couple of defensive bonus points were good enough to see Sjoberg put up eight points and earn a spot on the Round 9 Dream Team. The towering centerback has scored at least five points in three games since Round 7.
Walker Zimmerman ($6.0m)
The injury bug has hit Dallas hard, and while I'm not thrilled with any of their defensive options, Zimmerman may be the cheapest inlet to having some exposure to consistent minutes on the FCD backline.
Other defenders to consider: Nuno Coehlo (Sporting Kansas City, $7.9m); Jordan Harvey (Vancouver Whitecaps, $7.2m); Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps, $6.6m)
GOALKEEPERS
Chris Seitz ($4.7m)
Just when it looked like Jesse Gonzalez had regained his starting spot in Dallas, he went down with an injury that could potentially open the door back up for Seitz. It's unclear how serious the injury is but it's worth monitoring the situation, as Seitz could be in line for a pair of home starts in Round 10.
Matt Lampson ($4.7m)
The prospect of four games over the next two rounds makes Lampson an enticing option at GK. With the congested schedule it wouldn't surprise me to see Sean Johnson ($5.5m) make his 2016 debut in Round 10 or 11 but for now the starting job is Lampson's to lose.
Other goalkeepers to consider: David Ousted (Vancouver Whitecaps, $6.1m), Tim Melia (Sporting KC, $5.6m); Zac MacMath (Colorado Rapids, $5.1m); Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union, $4.9m); Jake Gleeson (Portland Timbers, $4.5m)