MLS Fantasy Strategies: Preparing for the Round 6 DGW

Note: the Round 6 transfer deadline is Wednesday, April 13 at 8:30 p.m. EDT

MUST-HAVES

A fully fit Diego Valeri ($10.5m) is living up to the preseason hype as one of the best midfielders to own in MLS Fantasy Manager. He's currently tied with Mauro Diaz for the third-highest fantasy point total (42) among all players through the first five rounds. The reigning MLS Cup Champions have a pair of tough matchups at home this week, but Valeri is capable of putting up fantasy points regardless of matchup. He's been a mainstay in my squad and I'm already planning on making room for Valeri on my bench for the Timbers' bye week in Round 7 before they have another DGW in Round 8.

What to do about Diaz ($10.6m)? The FC Dallas string-puller has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable on the injury report. Unfortunately, Dallas plays in the later game on Wednesday so we won't know if he's back for the first game of the DGW. Seeing that Diaz is still owned by 22 percent of all managers, it is worth monitoring reports coming out of the FC Dallas camp leading up to the transfer deadline Wednesday (8:30 p.m. EDT). At this point, I would advise hanging onto him unless news breaks that he's out for an extended period. However, I would also advise against picking him up just for this round if he's not already on your team. When he's fit he's one of the most dangerous midfielders in the league, but hampered by injury I wouldn't be surprised to see him on a minutes limit even if he does return.

THE OTHERS

Forwards

Fanendo Adi ($10.0m)
Adi is up to four goals this season, with three coming at home. That bodes well for the big 6-foot-4 target man considering the Timbers have two home games in Round 6.

Dom Dwyer ($10.2m)
If ever there were a time to pick up Dwyer, it's Round 6. He's a streaky goal scorer with multi-goal upside. He'll have plenty of opportunities to add to his three-goal haul with eight games over the next five rounds, including three DGWs.

Chris Wondolowski ($10.7m)
Wondo has scored a goal in all but one game this season. He hasn't done much beyond that, but with two bites at the apple he's a good bet to score at least once this round.

Other forwards to consider: Maximiliano Urruti (FC Dallas, $8.7m), Quincy Amarikwa (San Jose Earthquakes, $7.6m), Shkelzen Gashi (Colorado Rapids, $8.9m), Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls, $10.2m)

Midfielders

Sporting Kansas City Midfielders
Benny Feilhaber ($11.1m) has scored in back-to-back games since returning from injury. If you need the savings, I'm fine with bringing in Graham Zusi ($10.1m), who has two assists and has played every minute this season. A true bargain bin grab might be Connor Hallisey ($4.8m). The second-year winger earned four points a surprise start in KC's 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls. While it is no guarantee that he continues to feature, at that price he's worth having around for Sporting's run of eight games over the next five rounds.

Marco Pappa ($8.3m)
The Guatemalan has a goal and two assists in limited playing time this season. He may not be guaranteed a full 180 minutes but comes at a reasonable price for the upside he carries. Valeri, Diaz and the Sporting KC midfield options are top priority when making transfers this round but if you're looking for a true differential play, Pappa is your guy.

Other midfielders to consider: Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls, $11.2m), Dax McCarty (New York Red Bulls, $9.2m), Ryan Hollingshead (FC Dallas; $5.9m), Fabian Castillo (FC Dallas, $10.7m), Dillon Powers (Colorado Rapids; $7.6m), Alberto Quintero (San Jose Earthquakes, $6.6m)

Defenders

Sporting Kansas City Defenders
Nuno Andre Coehlo ($7.9) leads all defenders with 41 fantasy points through five games. Another interesting option is Ike Opara ($7.0), who made his 2016 debut over the weekend when he subbed on for an injured Kevin Ellis. Opara complied five points in just 49 minutes, highlighting his ability to rack up the bonus points. Watch for starting lineups on Wednesday before locking Opara in, and proceed with caution as he may be on a minutes restriction as he returns to full match fitness. Amadou Dia ($6.0m) is a cheaper inlet to the Sporting KC backline, and he's played the full 90 minutes in every game this season, averaging five points per start.

Other defenders to consider - Matt Hedges (FC Dallas, $9.0m), Jermaine Taylor (Portland Timbers, $6.4m), Karl Ouimette (New York Red Bulls, $5.3m), Axel Sjoberg (Colorado Rapids, $5.5m)

Goalkeepers

Tim Melia ($5.7m)
Melia is tied for the league lead with three clean sheets and is second in fantasy points for goalkeepers. Round 6 is a good time to make a move for Melia, as Sporting KC have the most upcoming games of any team in the league through Round 10.

Adam Kwarasey ($5.6m)
Kwarasey has yet to post a shutout in 2016 but will have a good opportunity to do so in Round 6 with a pair of home games on the schedule. Portland also have three DGWs over the next five rounds, though just be mindful of their Round 7 bye before loading up on Timbers players.

Other goalkeepers to consider: David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes, $6.0m), Zac MacMath (Colorado Rapids, $5.1m)