This week, we have one team on a bye but the more immediate concern is the impact of the U.S. Open Cup. MLS teams entered the competition earlier this week and did very well. Most took the opportunity to rest some big name stars, but several top Fantasy producers did play a lot of minutes.
As always, below are some players who I think will do well in Week 15.
Teams on a bye:Minnesota United
Double-game week teams: None
Goalkeepers
Keeperoo Option: The early Friday game offers two great options if you want to setup a keeperoo this week, but I’m actually more tempted by away keeper Alex Bono ($6.8). Toronto FC are in desperate need of points and their game at the Philadelphia Union (8 pm ET | TSN - full TV & streaming info) offers a good chance as they will be missing two key starters due to red cards from Week 14. If Toronto can keep the pressure up, Bono could end up with an early clean sheet.
Home Advantage: If you’re looking for a home keeper with a good shot at a clean sheet, then start your search at the bottom and consider the Houston Dynamo’s Joe Willis ($5.1). The Dynamo host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night (9 pm ET | TV & streaming info) and with two goals in five games, the Rapids are among the league's worst offenses. This makes Willis one of your cheapest clean sheet bets.
Defenders
FC Dallas defender Ryan Hollingshead brings the potential for offensive production | USA Today Sports Images
Surprise Quality: Most of the talk about the Seattle Sounders this season has focused on missing players, but the Sounders are also one of the top home defenses in the league, allowing just four goals over five games. This makes Chad Marshall ($5.3) a viable option is you are looking for a low-cost defender. Marshall has a long history of solid defensive point generation and was rested during Seattle's Open Cup loss, so he’ll be fresh when they host D.C. United on Saturday (10 pm ET | TV & streaming info).
On Form Value: If you’d rather go with an attacking defender, consider grabbing FC Dallas’ Ryan Hollingshead ($4.5). He’s struggled to find a place in the starting lineup this season but is likely to start again after scoring one goal and earning two assists over his last two games. Dallas hosts the Montreal Impact on Saturday (8 pm ET | TVAS - full TV & streaming info), and Hollingshead should have another shot at points against one of the worst road defenses in the league.
Midfielders
Yordy Reyna has been in exceptional form, even as the Whitecaps struggle to pick up wins. | USA Today Sports Images
Counterattack: Wins have not been as plentiful for the Vancouver Whitecaps since their explosive start, but Yordy Reyna ($5.7) has been doing everything he can to change that. Over his past four games, Reyna has scored two goals and earned three assists. He has a good chance to maintain this form when the Vancouver Whitecaps host Orlando City on Saturday (7 pm ET | TSN - full TV & streaming info), a team that has conceded almost two goals per game on the road.
Captain Contender: After a strong showing in the Round 14’s DGW it’s no surprise that Dallas chose to leave Mauro Diaz ($10.4) out of their midweek Open Cup roster. His point production has been strong all year; he has only earned fewer than five points once in 11 games. Now he faces a Montreal side that has conceded 19 times in eight away matches.
Forwards
Let it Ride: Last week Zlatan Ibrahimovic ($8.2) was the darling of the LA Galaxy, scoring a brace in an otherwise disappointing 3-2 home loss to Dallas. Most of these losses have been to strong offensive teams, so a repeat of this result when the Galaxy host Real Salt Lake on Saturday (10:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info) seems unlikely. However, Ibrahimovic should have another chance at a multi goal game, making him a top forward pick for Week 15.
Goal Hungry: In addition to one of the worst away offenses in the league, Colorado also have one of the worst away defenses, allowing 11 goals over six games. This gives the Dynamo a good shot at another big offensive performance, and while multiple Dynamo players could score, team goal scoring leader Alberth Elis ($10.9) is still my top pick.
WHICH PLAYERS are you considering for Round 15?
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