MLS Fantasy Player Picks, Round 28: Changes Required to Prepare for Playoffs

The final wild card has now been utilized and hopefully everyone is ready to proceed with a minimum number of point hits having to be taken. One thing I have noticed with a limited schedule such as last week's, is that it is tough to move forward because everybody has the same pool of limited selections. Anyway, I did manage to recover 14 spots to 107 overall. And my team is fairly well set heading forward. I decided to go with an extra New England player, Diego Fagundez, and ended up dropping Goncalves to gain Tierney, which was also a bonus. Anyway, let's take a look at the selections of the week.

Goalkeepers

Tim Melia is a bargain at 4.9, and with Sporting Kansas City enjoying a Double Game week is the obvious selection. Sporting Kansas City has not been as effective defensively recently, however, so I would not recommend taking a hit to get a goalkeeper this week.

Clint Irwin also has a double week and is priced at 5.4. Colorado is away at Vancouver, then for their second game is at home to DC United. Again, add a goalkeeper at your own risk this week, as I believe there are better places to look at making your transfers.

Defenders

Matt Miazga is still bargain priced at 6.1 and has a nice run of fixtures coming up. If he is not on your squad and saved from last week, take a hard look at picking him up. The Red Bulls are home to Chicago this week, then have a tough DGW, followed by 3 home matches to close out the regular season.

Kevin Ellis would be my second option, behind Miazga. He's a value-priced central defender at only 6.5. Sporting KC has a nice run of fixtures and the two games this week. He is a good choice. And if you have cash to splash, take a look at his teammate, Matt Besler at 9.6. Since losing their defensive midfielders to injury, SKC has not had as many recent clean sheets, so beware.

Bobby Burling would be my choice from the Colorado Rapids defense. Pablo Mastroeni does a lot of rotation, so he is a risk to start both matches, but he is rested and ready and ordinarily has been a locked down starter when available.

Chris Tierney is on fire for the New England Revolution right now. He rewarded me with 16 points last week. The Revs are away at Toronto this week, but have 2 fixtures the following game week. I expect to keep him on my own squad, at the expense of taking a hit for Ellis.

Midfielders

Benny Feilhaber is my choice of the midfielders after Sporting Kansas City's bye week and a Double Game Week match up this period. The MVP candidate may bear keeping an eye on, as it seems that he is being played a bit deeper on the field as a result of injuries to Soni Mustivar and Roger Espinoza.

Sacha Kljestan and Dax McCarty have a nice run of fixtures approaching and have each stepped up their points production in recent weeks.

Sebastian Lletget and Giovani Dos Santos are attractive picks for Los Angeles. I am not quite as keen on loading up on LA players as they do not have a DGW remaining.

Sebastian Giovinco may return for Toronto FC this week and could explode against visiting New England. Although I am a bit torn, my suggestion is to wait and watch. I will undoubtedly add him the following week when Toronto has a favorable DGW.

Forwards

Robbie Keane will be one of my own transfers this week. There is a lot to choose from on the LA Galaxy roster, but the reigning MLS MVP has been on a recent tear and will be well rested for the rest of the season.

Bradley Wright-Phillips made me regret not including him two weeks ago on my roster. He will be a key part of the NYRB's run toward the playoffs and should be in your thoughts.

Didier Drogba enjoyed an amazing debut in MLS Saturday evening. A natural hat trick, right foot, left foot and header. Will his success continue? Let's keep an eye on him.

Krisztian Nemeth and Dom Dwyer each have a double game week for Sporting Kansas City. However, my own preference is to plunk the big forward bucks on the single forward position starters. That would be Keane, BWP and Drogba.

For my own squad,I expect to add Robbie Keane and Feilhaber and do my best to resist taking a -4 hit.

I expect my team to look like this: Bingham, S.Francis, Miazga, Tierney, Salinas, Nguyen, Finlay or Fagundez, Feilhaber, Keane, BWP, Amarikwa.

Perhaps, I went in a bit too much on San Jose last week. They looked a different team when Bernardez went down.

I plan on giving the captain armband to either Keane or Feilhaber.

Does anyone like any options I may have missed? How about the captain selection?

Anyway, let us know what your team looks like and any thoughts? Best wishes to all!