Building this week in Fantasy MLS for big gains next week

Greetings Fantasy MLS owners! I'm back again filling in for our Fantasy writer/Guru Jamie Umbach, which should mean you all should really think twice about my advice before taking any of it. Of course, I'm coming off a relatively positive fantasy week and continue to rise in Dynamo Theory's Classic and Head-to-Head leagues (but with plenty of room to continue rising in each) so maybe you won't be in too much trouble.

Round 16 of FMLS puts fantasy owners in another difficult position if they didn't properly prepare in Round 15. Last week, owners were gifted the rare chance to make unlimited transfers without any point penalties. However, the reason they provided unlimited transfers was to help owners on a week with many teams on a bye week and with many players set to leave their clubs for their national teams. This week, many players have returned from international duty, though not all, and only 2 clubs have a bye: the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew SC.

If you properly prepared in the previous round, adjusting to this week and looking ahead at the DGW Bonanza in Round 17 shouldn't be too difficult, although with several clubs with Open Cup action mid-week, keep an eye on which players see USOC minutes which may indicate whether or not they'll get a lot of minutes in league play. If you didn't properly prepare and have a wild card to spare, I'd suggest holding off until next round before blowing up your roster which means either taking a few point penalties or missed opportunities in transfers this week to keep pace with your leagues. If you do use your Wild Card remember to look at the weeks ahead to gauge how you shape your lineup. However, there are a few players that you need to have on your team for this round which will also help you get ready for next week!

Make Room for

GK Stefan Frei ($5.9) Seattle Sounders - Frei leads all goalkeepers in points and faces San Jose this week, a team that has struggled to find the net overall, and the Sounders play twice in Round 17 against Philadelphia and Portland and expect the league leaders to get some points there.

Mid. Sebastian Giovinco ($12.1) Toronto FC - Yes, Giovinco is on the pricey end (read that as most expensive player), but there's a reason: he's very good. The Reds play a favorable game against New York City FC this week and then play Montreal and D.C. United in Round 17. Oh, and all 3 of those games are home games for TFC.

Make Room for if you need to

Def. Justin Morrow ($6.2) Toronto FC - Morrow is a cheaper defensive option and the 3 home games against teams that have been less than stellar in the attack should generate some points. Morrow is also one of the most "in-form" defenders.

Mid. Benny Feilhaber ($10.1) Sporting Kansas City - Feilhaber is a player that doesn't play twice next week, but is someone that I'd take this week because I know he'll perform well. No player has tallied more fantasy points than Feilhaber this year and he is in form. SKC will play against Real Salt Lake who currently sit in the 9^th spot in the Western Conference.

FW. Bradley Wright-Phillips ($11.3) New York Red Bulls- The reigning Golden Boot Champion has some tough competition this week against the Vancouver Whitecaps, but next week will play RSL and then a RBNY vs NYCFC match in a battle for supremacy of the Big Apple. Expect BWP to find the net once or twice in those games.

Discount Bin

Def. Kevin Ellis ($6.2) Sporting Kansas City - Ellis is the most in form defender currently and at his price point he won't take up much room this week and can be stashed on the bench if you want to utilize DGW players next week.

Mid. Kwadwo Poku ($6.6) New York City FC - NYCFC is still finding its footing, and Poku is a bench player due to fitness concerns, but he's becoming increasingly valuable in providing spark to the NY midfield. If he's a surprise start, he'll be worth shelling out the cash that he's worth.

FW. Charlie Davies ($9.1) New England Revolution - Not a totally cheap option and the Revs matchups are tougher, but if you can't afford a BWP, Clint Dempsey, or Giovinco, Davies could be a good pickup for an experienced striker. If you want a much cheaper option look to Jairo Arrieta ($6.4) with D.C. United, but Ben Olsen has been unpredictable with his lineups and while Arrieta is likely to play (and start) his minutes and total contribution are harder to discern.