Week 15 MLS Fantasy Player Picks

As usual, there will need to be a little bit of future planning involved in your team selection this week, but perhaps even more so with 10 teams missing out with byes this week. You should absolutely take advantage of the free transfer wildcard available this weekend to get your team set up for the coming weeks, while also ensuring you can field a competitive team this weekend.

Here are the fixtures for week 15:

• New York City FC v. Montreal Impact
• Columbus Crew SC v. LA Galaxy
• New England Revolution v. Chicago Fire
• Seattle Sounders v. FC Dallas
• Orlando City v. D.C. United

Of the teams in action this weekend, Columbus and Chicago will have byes in round 16, so be wary of investing too heavily there and being stuck having to take a points hit to field a strong eleven next week. That means you should probably be looking to stock your team with players from the remaining 8 teams this weekend.

The upcoming schedule looks particularly inviting for LA, New England, Seattle, Montreal and DC (in descending order of preference) who each have double weeks in round 17. With all that in mind, let's take a look at where you should be investing for your MLS Fantasy team:

Goalkeepers

Bobby Shuttleworth - The Revolution have arguably the best match on paper in Week 15, with a home match against a Chicago side that will be without star forward David Accam this weekend. Shuttleworth is affordably priced at $5.4m and should be a strong consideration for your team going forward.

Stefan Frei - The league leader in saves and the highest scoring fantasy goalkeeper, Seattle's shot-stopper is a bit pricier, but has earned his price tag so far. The Sounders have a tricky match against an inconsistent Dallas squad, but the west-coast club have been very good in front of their home crowd this season.

Jaime Penedo - The Galaxy keeper returns from international duty with Panama and should take his place between the posts again this weekend for the match against the Crew. LA are beginning to show signs of the form that brought them to the finals last season, so now could be a great time to buy in.

Defenders

Omar Gonzalez - Speaking of buying into LA players, Gonzalez is the second-highest scoring player in the MLS Fantasy game, behind only Benny Feilhaber. When you take that into consideration, his $9.9m price tag seems less prohibitive and more like a bargain. Make him a priority for your team now that you have a wildcard available.

Tyrone Mears - With Brad Evans being called up to represent the US Men's National Team on a regular basis, Mears is the safer bet for a consistent starter in the Sounders defense. The English fullback also adds the potential for attacking returns with his dangerous deliveries from the right flank.

London Woodberry - The young New England defender has been a revelation, but disciplinary issues have limited his fantasy production recently after a bright start. The sub-par returns the past couple times out have resulted in his price dropping to a bargain $4.5m, so he's a great budget option to accommodate the more expensive players you'll want in your lineup.

Donny Toia - Another bargain option for your squad, Toia has been named man-of-the-match on more than one occasion for the Impact so far this season, though his fantasy returns have rarely reflected his on-field performances. With Montreal having the opportunity to settle into the season after a deep run in the CONCACAF Champions League, Toia and his teammates should begin delivering more consistently from a fantasy perspective.

Rafael Ramos - Orlando have struggled with injuries this season, but there have been benefits for fantasy managers as a result. Ramos playing in an advanced position in midfield for the Lions is one such benefit, and he's consistently played the full 90 over the past few weeks. The possibility of a clean sheet, combined with his potential to get into the attack, all for a cut-rate $5.2m, makes the Portuguese defender a strong option this week.

Midfielders

Kaka - A home match in Orlando is always a good occasion to think about picking up the Lions' Brazilian playmaker. Definitely worth a shout this week if you have the cash to splash, with a look toward replacing him with Sebastian Giovinco after this week for Toronto's enticing upcoming schedule.

Stefan Ishizaki - With Steven Gerrard not set to suit up for the Galaxy until mid-July, Ishizaki remains a strong attacking option for the Los Angeles club. An away trip to Columbus isn't the easiest match-up, but the upcoming schedule is too good not to have some LA players in your team, and Ishizaki is among the best in terms of fantasy production.

Fabian Castillo - What a season this guy is having in Dallas! Given his dominant performances so far, it seems likely he'll be attracting attention from European clubs in the near future, but for now he remains in MLS and remains an exciting fantasy prospect.

Ignacio Piatti - Much like Toia, Piatti is a player who has delivered strong performances on multiple occasions for Montreal this season, but the lack of games the Impact have played thus far makes it look like he's far less productive than he has been. He's a fairly expensive gamble to take, but given the kind upcoming schedule and the goal he scored last time out, it's not the worst idea to buy in now and ride his form while it lasts.

Harry Shipp - If you're looking to buy in for just this week and make a transfer to a more attractive option next week, you could do worse than picking up Chicago's influential central midfielder. Just make sure you have a plan for him after this week if you plan on transferring him out, or a back-up option on the bench if you're hanging on for the long haul.

Forwards

Juan Agudelo / Charlie Davies - The strike partnership in New England is working out very well so far, with both forwards weighing in with goals and assists. Similarly priced, and with similar points so far this season, pick your favorite of the two, or maybe even consider both if you're feeling bold.

Obafemi Martins - Back in training after undergoing surgery to repair the broken nose he sustained a couple weeks ago, the Sounders striker looks set to return to the starting lineup against Dallas this weekend, and you wouldn't bet against him adding to his goal haul in front of his home crowd.

Jack McInerney - I tipped the Montreal striker to do well in Week 14, and he didn't disappoint. Unfortunately, I didn't take my own advice to pick up the striker, instead opting for Philadelphia's 1-point injury disaster Fernando Aristeguieta. The American international is in good form and could be set to add to his goal tally this week against a struggling NYC side.

Fabian Espindola - Fabi is a game changer, and has been excellent on pretty much every occasion when he's been on the pitch for DC this season. Worth the investment despite the away match to Orlando this weekend. DC have won on both occasions against the Lions this season, and that was without their star striker. He could help United make it 3 wins from 3.

Kei Kamara - Like Shipp, Kamara won't have a match next week, but you may want to consider hanging on anyway. The Crew striker has been in inspired form leading the line in Columbus this season and is showing no signs of slowing down. Be prepared to move him out of your starting lineup next weekend, but you may not want to drop him completely considering his form.

Who are you looking at for your team this weekend? Are you hanging on to anybody not playing this week (aside from fillers)? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to save your team before the 7 p.m EDT deadline on Saturday!