MLS Fantasy Round 14 Top Picks

With the new set of Major League Soccer fixtures approaching we take a look at the MLS Fantasy Round 14 top picks. X is full of some of the best fantasy managers in the world. Because of that we bring in expert @dmpwright to reel off some of the best options for the big round ahead.

Looking at the MLS Fantasy Round 14 top picks can be extremely useful to managers. Focusing on some of the best assets for the new week could help with some of the most important decisions in the game like transfers and captaincy.

Introduction

Round 14 could be tricky to negotiate with most of the so-called ‘top’ teams playing away from home. However, I believe there are a few standout picks everyone should be targeting, besides Lionel Messi – so let’s get into it!

Top targets – Aaron Herrera, DC United – Defender, $7.2m

You know it’s likely to be a tough week when a DC United player is my top defensive pick! In all seriousness though, there’s a lot to like about Aaron Herrera – and not just because he faces the Chicago Fire this week.

Herrera ranks as one of the top ten defenders in the league for both xG+xA (0.25 per game) and key passes (1.31 per game), and has already provided three assists so far this season. Considering DC United’s opponent this week, I can easily see Herrera delivering defensive and offensive returns.

Riqui Puig, LA Galaxy – Midfielder, $13.9m

I didn’t want to pick Lucho Acosta again having tipped him in my Round 13 picks, although he should definitely be in your team again this week! Instead, I have gone for another consistent midfield performer, Riqui Puig.

The La Masia graduate has an incredibly solid ‘floor’ and has scored at least five points in every game this season, including four double-digit hauls. If Messi doesn’t start against Vancouver then Puig could be an outside bet for captaincy this week.

Evander, Portland Timbers – Midfielder, $12.5m

Speaking of midfielders worthy of captaincy, I couldn’t leave Evander out of my picks this week. The Brazilian is fourth for xG+xA (0.64 per game) and eighth for key passes (2.41 per game) among all midfielders, and has been the standout performer on a Portland team that has struggled for consistency so far this term.

I expect him to do well again this week against Sporting Kansas City, who have an indifferent defensive record away from home.

Christian Benteke, DC United – Forward, $12.5m

It’s not often two DC United players make my top picks – however, I couldn’t leave Christian Benteke out, such is the strength of their fixture this week. While he disappointed Fantasy managers with a paltry 6-point return in the Round 13 DGW, the Belgian forward continues to post outstanding attacking numbers (including an xG+xA of 1.07 per game, which is only bettered by Dejan Joveljic), as do DC United when playing at Audi Field (xGF of 2.34 per game, good enough for third-best in the league at home).

Differential – Joel Waterman, CF Montréal – Defender, $6.8m

This is a slightly ‘out there’ pick. All doesn’t seem to be well with The CFM – they recently parted ways with Sporting Director Olivier Renard, their captain Mathieu Choinière has requested a trade and they come into Round 14 off the back of a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of rivals Toronto. However, they and defender Joel Waterman do potentially have a few things in their favour this week.

At home, Montréal are second-best in the league for xSA while their Round 14 opponents, Nashville, have the second-lowest xSF away from home. In Waterman, they have a rare Fantasy breed – a defender with decent bonus point potential, including seven passing bonus in his last four home games. While I wouldn’t start Waterman this week, he could be a decent bench punt depending on your risk appetite.