MLS Fantasy Week 21 Preview

Published by Area Sports Network, 2 years ago

Week 20 Wrap-Up

It was another big double-game week, one dominated by some more unexpected teams. The Galaxy took down LAFC and the Union at home thanks in large part to Riqui Puig and his 27-point fantasy performance. Real Salt Lake continues to shoot up the standings and their performances are yielding high scores in fantasy. They had three players in this week’s dream team. Many of the usual midfield selections struggled or played just once, so this was a week for differential choices.

Looking Ahead

As the transfer window opens up and the Leagues Cup break is upon us, this is a big week for making up ground. Some players–such as Dayne St. Clair and Alex Roldan–will rejoin their teams this week after being knocked out of the Gold Cup. This is a tough week for selecting midfielders, with many of the top options playing twice in attractive fixtures.

Matchups

  1. Houston Dynamo (home vs. Minnesota, away at Colorado)
  2. CF Montreal (away at Chicago, home vs. Charlotte)
  3. New England Revolution (home vs. Atlanta, home vs. DC)

Premium Goalkeepers

Jonathan Sirois, Montreal’s 22-year-old goalkeeper, has surprised and impressed this year. He has nine clean sheets in his last 13 appearances.

  • Jonathan Sirois (CF Montreal), $9.1m at Chicago, vs. Charlotte
  • Djordje Petrovic (New England Revolution), $8.5m vs. Atlanta, vs. DC
  • Brad Stuver (Austin FC), $8.5m at Vancouver, vs. Kansas City

Budget Goalkeepers

Yohei Takaoka has struggled to keep clean sheets as of late, but with an assist last week and two home games coming up, he might be the right choice for your team in Week 21. 

  • Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps), $6.6m vs. Austin, vs. LA
  • Kendall McIntosh (Sporting Kansas City), $5.1m vs. Salt Lake, at Austin
  • Carlos Coronel (New York Red Bulls), $6.6m vs. Cincinnati, at Salt Lake

Premium Defenders

The Chicago Fire host two Canadian teams this week, neither of whom have been able to score a goal in their last three games. Rafa Czichos is the most valuable of the Fire defense, as he gets consistent passing bonus points and takes penalty kicks.

  • Rafa Czichos (Chicago Fire), $8.1m vs. Montreal, vs. Toronto
  • Dave Romney (New England Revolution), $8.4m vs. Atlanta, vs. DC
  • Jon Gallagher (Austin FC), $8.7m at Vancouver, vs. Kansas City
  • Joel Waterman (CF Montreal), $7.9m at Chicago, vs. Charlotte
  • Njabulo Blom (St. Louis CITY), $7.5m at LAFC, vs. Miami

Budget Defenders

First-time all-star Ryan Hollingshead has been a fixture at the right-back position for LAFC this year. LAFC hosts St. Louis, who are still missing Eduard Lowen and Joao Klauss. They also play Minnesota, who currently sit in 11th place in the Western Conference.

  • Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC), $6.8m vs. St. Louis, at Minnesota
  • Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution), $6.3m vs. Atlanta, vs. DC
  • Emeka Eneli (Real Salt Lake), $6m at Kansas City, vs. New York RB

Premium Midfielders

Carles Gil is rested up after his yellow card suspension and ready for two home games this week. Gil’s seven goals and nine assists make for the fourth most goal contributions in the league.

  • Carles Gil (New England Revolution), $12.9m vs. Atlanta, vs. DC
  • Lucho Acosta (FC Cincinnati), $13.4m at New York RB, vs. Nashville
  • Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), $11.2m vs. Austin, vs. LA
  • Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo), $11.1m vs. Minnesota, at Colorado
  • Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC), $9.6m at Vancouver, vs. Kansas City

Budget Midfielders

Real Salt Lake have not lost a game since May and are now up to fourth in the Western Conference. Damir Kreilach’s return has been a big part of this surge, with his four goals after a major injury last season.

  • Brian Gutierrez (Chicago Fire), $7.3m vs. Montreal, vs. Toronto
  • Gadi Kinda (Sporting Kansas City), $7m vs. Salt Lake, at Austin
  • Damir Kreilach (Real Salt Lake), $6.1m at Kansas City, vs. New York RB

Premium Forwards

Though Denis Bouanga has hit a rough scoring patch since his huge beginning-of-season numbers, he remains a top forward and player. Bouanga’s four-week average is 6.5. 

  • Denis Bouanga (LAFC), $11.1m vs. St. Louis, at Minnesota
  • Alan Pulido (Sporting Kansas City), $9.4m vs. Salt Lake, at Austin
  • Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps), $8.1m vs. Austin, vs. LA
  • Jefferson Savarino (Real Salt Lake), $9.6m at Kansas City, vs. New York RB
  • Gustavo Bou (New England Revolution), $8.9m vs. Atlanta, vs. DC

Budget Forwards

LAFC’s intraleague trade leaves Kwadwo Opoku set to be a key player in Montreal. After a breakout season last year, Opoku has scored just two goals this year. He’ll debut this week.

  • Kwadwo Opoku (CF Montreal), $4.4m at Chicago, vs. Charlotte
  • Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC), $4.5m vs. Philadelphia, at Cincinnati
  • Aliyu Ibrahim (Houston Dynamo), $6.3m vs. Minnesota, at Colorado

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