This article is part of our MLS Fantasy Rankings series.
1. Clint Dempsey
After a slow start to his MLS return in 2013, Dempsey got back to the form that saw him bag 57 goals in the English Premier League. He scored 15 goals and added 10 assists in 26 appearances, an impressive feat considering he also was tasked with captaining the US National Team at the World Cup mid-season. Many players lost their form after Brazil, but Dempsey returned to lead the Sounders to their first ever MLS Supporters Shield (best regular season record) and fourth US Open Cup in six years. 'Deuce' shoots as much as anybody in the league, and it's never a surprise to see him with a multi-point effort. He has the benefit of playing alongside the electric Obafemi Martins and veteran midfielders Marco Pappa, Gonzalo Pineda and Brad Evans, who all move the ball up the field efficiently. Dempsey's motivation in a post-World Cup year is a slight concern. He knows how good he is, and occasionally appears to coast through games thinking he can just turn it on when he needs to. That is extreme nitpicking though, and we should expect Dempsey and the Sounders to once again be a force in the Western conference.
2. Kaka
The marquee signing for expansion side Orlando City SC and former Ballon d'Or winner needs no introduction. Kaka sits second on this list only because he hasn't yet played an MLS game, and because expansion clubs tend to start slowly upon entering the league. There is a palpable excitement surrounding these Lions though, and it's more likely than not that their Brazilian star will lead them in bucking the expansion team trend. They have brought in a promising young designated player in Bryan Rochez and a veteran forward with international and Premier League experience in < href="http://www.rotowire.com/soccer/player.htm?id=18647">Martin Paterson. Kevin Molino, USL PRO MVP in two of the past three seasons with Orlando City, remains heavily involved in the offense and Brek Shea is in line to provide a dangerous attacking option on the left side whether at wing or left back. Kaka should also be over top of every set piece and penalty, which is a dream scenario. Many smart people wish to exercise caution with expansion-squad players, but Kaka feels like the definition of reward outweighing risk.
3. Pedro Morales
There were times in 2014, if you squinted really really hard, you could mistake the play of Morales with that of the great regista Andrea Pirlo. Morales completed some long balls and tight passes that most other players on this list wouldn't dare to try. Coming from Spanish side Malaga, he scored 10 goals and assisted 12 on his way to winning MLS Newcomer of the year. His game is not unlike that of the previous two winners of that trophy, Diego Valeri and Federico Higuain. He finished behind only Landon Donovan and Valeri in key passes but had nobody to finish them. Vancouver's top goal-scorer after Morales had just six tallies. This season, the Whitecaps have added bright young striker Octavio Rivero. If he can prove competent, Morales may need another spot on his trophy shelf for an MVP award.
4. Sebastian Giovinco
The diminutive Italian's move to MLS from Juventus has created excitement rarely seen in league history. MLS has never witnessed anybody with the combination of speed and technicality that Giovinco wields. Toronto FC broke the bank to acquire him, making him not only the highest paid MLS player, but also the highest paid Italian player anywhere. Unlike David Villa, Giovinco is set to play alongside established talents Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. It would be surprising if Giovinco doesn't lead MLS in drawn fouls, which is notable due to his set-piece proficiency. It should be acknowledged that Giovinco and Altidore have spent much more time on the bench than on the pitch in Europe over the past few seasons, which contributes to Giovinco not being higher on the list.
5. Lee Nguyen
At one point in time last season, the eventual MLS finalists had lost eight straight matches and looked hopelessly out of the playoff picture. Nguyen responded to that losing streak by tallying 12 goals and four assists in the final 14 matches. The breakout star was a revelation for the Revolution, and caught the eye of the US National Team and Europe in the process. An MVP candidate, he can dribble through a crowd on the way towards goal, or tee up a highlight-reel strike from distance. Juan Agudelo has returned to the club after wandering around Europe, and possesses considerably more upside than Nguyen's targets from last year. If Nyugen's crafty playmaking can make Charlie Davies and Teal Bunbury look capable, opponents do not want to see what he can do with a blue-chip striker. He is undoubtedly motivated to continue breaking into the USMNT, and to return New England to the MLS Cup Final. Monitor his ongoing injury situation before locking him into your Week 1 team, but don't hesitate to plug him in as soon as he is fit!
6. Javier Morales
At age 35, Morales shows no signs of slowing down. Last season, he was second in Fantasy MLS midfield scoring. He played more minutes in 2014 than ever before and set a career-high in goals with nine. His assist total (12) was the second best since he arrived in 2007, and he was one of the few players to provide over three key passes per game. Morales brings a refreshing tenacity to an attacking midfield spot that so often lacks it and adds a high level of technical skill and soccer IQ. RSL has been experimenting with an exciting 4-3-3 this preseason, which should take advantage of Morales' vision. While Alvaro Saborio, Joao Plata and budding young talent Luis Gil top the list of finishing threats surrounding Morales, speed is present throughout the entire lineup. Set pieces are on the menu as well for Salt Lake's elder statesman. Morales shouldn't be considered far behind any of the top five options on the list as we enter the season.
7. Fabian Castillo
Castillo is the first wild card on our list. 2014 was a breakout season for the young Colombian, who scored 10 times after several years spent teasing Dallas fans with flashes of potential. He was one of the MLS players drawing the most European interest in the off-season but elected to sign a new five-year deal in Dallas. Castillo's pace is nearly impossible to defend, and he does not shy away from attacking defenders with the ball at his feet. Despite his creativity, Castillo leaves a bit to be desired in the assists category, but that may change with another year of experience alongside capable scorers Blas Perez and Tesho Akindele. Fellow midfield star Mauro Diaz returns this year after an injury-plagued 2014 and his expert passing will only give Castillo more opportunities. Many believe that FC Dallas are true contenders in the competitive Western conference, and Castillo will play a large part in determining that. He doesn't bring the track record or safe floor that some other fantasy options will, but his potential for a huge game is virtually unrivaled in Major League Soccer.
8. Shaun Maloney
The Chicago Fire retooled their offense this season, and Maloney is perhaps the most important addition. The Scottish international brings Premier League experience with Aston Villa, and valuable time at Celtic and Wigan. Premier League club Leicester City was interested in signing him before he ultimately came to Chicago. Maloney will be complemented by several other newcomers in Ghanaian international David Accam, designated player Kennedy Igboananike, and Southampton alumnus Guly do Prado, all of whom should play up top. 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee and exciting young players Quincy Amarikwa and Harry Shipp return to the crowded offense from last year's team. Manager Frank Yallop seems to be relying on Maloney to tie all of these pieces together. While chemistry builds, you can rely on Maloney's free-kick prowess and probable penalty duties to earn you fantasy points. His fantasy season should fall somewhere around that of a Brad Davis or Graham Zusi type, with plenty of assists, but the upside for more goals is what earns him the No. 8 spot.
9. Mauro Diaz
Before getting injured last season, Diaz was a must-own fantasy star. Dallas games were an endless stream of Diaz take-ons, jaw-dropping passes, and drawn fouls. Fabian Castillo was simply a great side-kick. Though the tides may have turned while Diaz was out, he still could be a crucial fantasy player. Blas Perez and Tesho Akindele are big targets at the top of the formation, and Diaz will be given license to roam and find areas to exploit in the opponents' defenses. Unfortunately, as long as Brazilian free-kick specialist Michel sees first-team minutes, Diaz likely won't have the free kick or penalty duties that he has proven more than capable at. Regardless, assists will come, but goals might be elusive in an offense that has many mouths to feed. Ultimately, choosing between Castillo and Diaz in your fantasy midfield could be an agonizing decision, but you really can't go wrong with either.
10. Ignacio Piatti
Piatti is another player whose 2014 season was shortened due to injury. He scored four goals and added one assist in just six games. Clearly the sample is small, but the potential is there. Piatti loves to have the ball, sometimes to a fault, and will create plenty of scoring chances for an Impact team that must lean on him if they want to be competitive. He pops up all over the field and shoots at will. If he can begin to rely more on the team around him, perhaps Justin Mapp or Jack McInerney, then Montreal might find some surprising success. Because he is on a team expected to be fairly poor, Piatti may not be the ideal long-term fantasy midfield investment, but he is the type of player who can single-handedly carve up a poor defense. Using him at the proper time, while your opponents disregard the Impact players, could be a key differentiating moment in your fantasy seasons.
Honorable Mentions:Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls)
