MLS Fantasy Strategies: Preparing for the Round 28 DGW

MLS Fantasy Strategies: Preparing for the Round 28 DGW

This article is part of our MLS Fantasy Strategies series.

With seven rounds to go, Round 28 provides a window to load up on players with two games in hopes of gaining ground in the MLS Fantasy standings. Including Round 28, there are only three rounds left where some teams will play twice. Let's take a look at several DGW players at each position that are worthy of a transfer.

The Round 28 transfer deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. EDT

DGW Teams Wed, Sept. 7 Sat-Sun, Sept 10-11
Montreal Impact vs. Orlando City SC at Philadelphia Union
LA Galaxy at Real Salt Lake vs. Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC at Montreal Impact at LA Galaxy
Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy at Portland Timbers

MUST HAVES

Ignacio Piatti ($11.5m)
Piatti is having a big season and is putting up big fantasy numbers to back it up. He's the third-highest scorer overall and his 185 total points puts him just a point behind Diego Valeri in the midfielder category. Piatti is already on over 38 percent of all MLS Fantasy teams, and he'll likely be well over 40 [ercent once the transfer deadline closes. It'd be a bold move not to roster a player with such high ownership at this phase of the season.

THE OTHERS

FORWARDS

Didier Drogba ($11.7m)
There was reason for concern when Drogba was subbed off in the 55th minute of Montreal's last game on Aug. 28 at Toronto FC. It looks like the move was precautionary, as Drogba was dealing with hamstring tightness. He's been deemed fit and any time a player like Drogba has two games in a round it's worthwhile to find a way to bring him in. He seems to excel against Round 28 opponent Philadelphia Union, scoring four goals on 12 shots in two previous meetings this season - including a hat trick the last time they met on July 24.

Robbie Keane ($11.5m)
Keane has left many fantasy managers hanging the past few rounds but hopefully will be making amends in Round 28. He has returned to training this week and all signs are pointing to a return to the starting lineup on Wednesday at Salt Lake. Keane is having a down season in general, with just seven goals after hitting 20 last season. With that being said, he remains one of the most dangerous out-and-out goal scorers in the league. With two games to be played I'm thinking we'll see Keane's name back on the scoresheet.

Note: Keane was ruled out for Wednesday's match at RSL after this article was posted, though he could return to play Saturday against Orlando City.

Giovani dos Santos ($11.7m)
Dos Santos bagged what turned out to be the game winner with a deft chip against Columbus last Saturday. With several key attackers out with injury, he's stepped up and will continue to be relied upon to produce the goods. The Mexican international leads the Galaxy with 10 goals on the season to go along with eight assists. He's been a good alternative to Keane over the last few rounds, and since we won't know LA's starting lineup until after the transfer deadline, he's a safer pickup if you don't want to risk the misery of Keane potentially sitting another game.

Other forwards to consider: Yura Movsisyan (Real Salt Lake); Joao Plata (Real Salt Lake); Emmanuel Boateng (LA Galaxy)

* Cyle Larin (Orlando City) played 74 minutes in Tuesday's World Cup Qualifier for Canada and will likely miss Wednesday's game at Montreal.

MIDFIELDERS

Kaka ($11.6m)
Orlando are tasked with two tough away games this round but with their playoff hopes on the line I'm expecting Kaka to have a big round. The Brazilian went off for 16 points in Round 26 and with both Larin and Kevin Molino expected to miss out on Wednesday, Kaka should be the only Orlando player given strong consideration in Round 28.

Javier Morales ($11.0m)
Morales hasn't scored or assisted in his last three games but has still managed a combined 15 fantasy points. Assuming he plays in both games, the Real Salt Lake playmaker looks to be in line for a double-digit round regardless of whether the goals or assists come.

Other midfielders to consider: Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy); Baggio Husidic (LA Galaxy); Matias Perez Garcia (Orlando City SC); Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)

* Kevin Molino (Orlando City) played 90 minutes in Tuesday's World Cup Qualifier for Trinidad and Tobago and will likely miss Wednesday's game at Montreal.

DEFENDERS

Robbie Rogers ($7.9m)
Rogers has come alive since returning from a 12-game injury absence, combining for 16 fantasy points in two games since his return, including an assist in Saturday's 2-1 win over Columbus. While both Galaxy wing backs are solid pickups, I'm counting on a revived Rogers to continue to produce.

Other defenders to consider: Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact); Hassoun Camara (Montreal Impact); Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake); Daniel Steres (LA Galaxy); Brek Shea (Orlando City SC); Ashley Cole (LA Galaxy); Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake)

* Ambroise Oyongo (Montreal Impact) will miss Wednesday's game versus Orlando City as he is away on international duty with Cameroon.

GOALKEEPERS

Brian Rowe ($5.4m)
Rowe saved a PK and posted 11 points in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Crew. He has 19 points over his last two outings and will be the highest owned of the four DGW goalkeepers. Despite a tough road game at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, Rowe boasts double-digit upside in Round 28.

Other goalkeepers to consider: Evan Bush (Montreal Impact); Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Schuyler Redpath
Schuyler is a former RotoWire contributor. He writes about fantasy soccer for MLSsoccer.com.
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