MLS Fantasy Player Picks, Round 31: Pick your best 1-week lineup ahead of another wildcard

Well, it is sure a challenging week with no byes and no Double game match ups to consider. Plus, everyone gets to start over next week with a wild card. So actually, this is a key week, differentials will make the difference. Who can spot them? Where are they? This week's fixtures look unusually difficult to predict, so are we best off just playing the scoring leaders and or our best players? These are interesting variables to consider, especially given there are only 2 free transfers.

I took 2 hits last week to load up on Montreal players and would have been better off just getting in only Drogba. Despite putting up 90 points, I basically held serve. It would have been worse, had I not gotten and captained Drogs. Again, the captain decision is probably the most critical one we make each week.

Goalkeepers

Bobby Shuttleworth might be my first thought, although I believe it would probably be a mistake to use one of your two transfers on a goalkeeper. Chicago was eliminated from the playoffs last week and has little to play for.

Jesse Gonzalez might be a worthwhile selection for those who might need to save some coin and spend it elsewhere. This is a rivalry game with Houston at Dallas, so who can say. Houston has sure been up and down this season.

Defenders

Atiba Harris has been in exceptional form, recently, for Dallas. He likes to attack out of the back and will be marauding down Houston's left side. Dallas played LA extremely hard last weekend in LA. I like this match up.

Donny Toia and Laurent Ciman are still good choices for Montreal. Toia will only set you back 5.3. Ciman has dropped to 6.9 and although capable of accumulating huge Bonus Points, he is just as capable of being carded or sent off.

Jorge Villafana is the Portland defender selection, if you like them at home against Sporting Kansas City. Peter Vermes rested most of his starters in the second match, last week, however, so they should be fresh.

Midfielders

Sebastian Giovinco is probably the closest thing to a "must have" this week. He is enjoying one of the best season's ever put together in MLS and a clear cut MVP choice, at this point. Toronto FC is still jockeying for position in the MLS playoffs and at home to Philadelphia.

Sacha Kljestan has been in excellent form, recently for RBNY and has actually averaged 8.5 ppg for the past 8 game week periods. They play at home against Columbus. Dax McCarty has returned from an injury and is also a good selection for less salary.

Victor Ulloa of FC Dallas has been the most consistently scoring midfielder for Dallas. If you like a differential, Fabian Castillo is always a threat.

Lee Nguyen or Diego Fagundez would either be a good selection at Chicago. They both may be in my own lineup.

Ethan Finlay has had a break out year for Columbus and is worth taking a look at. However, they are playing away in New York and I actually prefer the above options.

Forwards

Didier Drogba has enjoyed playing in MLS and delivered 18 huge points during the most recent game week. I think he will feast down in Orlando in what appears to be a high scoring affair. Get him if you don't already have him.

Cyle Larin set a rookie record for goals scored last week for Orlando City and will be looking to extend his goal total. Orlando always seems to play better at home, so he will be one of my additions for the week.

Kei Kamara is the leading goal scorer in MLS this season with 22 (one ahead of Giovinco). He also has established a record by scoring against 21 MLS teams. He will be facing the New York Red Bulls without Matt Miazga, who has been called up for Olympic Qualifying.

This is going to be an interesting week with those either spotting the best differentials or having the best players already on their squads having the best opportunities to make a move. There is so much uncertainty, it might be a bad week to take a hit, however, my number one and two targets, Larin and Kamara cannot be squeezed into my own lineup without doing so.

My lineup will look probably like this: Gonzalez, Harris, Toia, S. Francis, Nguyen, Feilhaber, Kljestan, Giovinco, Drogba, Kamara, Larin

My captain will probably be Giovinco with Drogba still a consideration.

Have your lineup ready at 6:45 Eastern Time on Friday.

Share your thoughts and lineups below. Best wishes in a difficult week!