Differentials for your Initial Squad

These differentials have 2% or less ownership and are all expected to start. I would recommend putting all these players on your team… kidding.  Consider how your team might look with 1 (recommended), 2 (live a little), or 3 (you could be ranked #1 or #15,000…gamble…) of them.

DEFENSE

SEA Tyrone Mears – $7.0 (1.6%) Fullback with a week 3 bye has huge potential for the first 2 rounds: Home against New England and home against San Jose. It will be interesting to see how much he gets forward, with any crosses into the box having potential finishes by Oba, Deuce, or Neagle. Strong possibility of 2 shutouts. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

RSL Demar Phillips – $7.0 (1.8%) Fullback with a week 3 bye but fairly strong opening schedule. Very attacking with potential for a lot of crosses into the box.

NYC Josh Williams – $6.5 (1.3%) Fullback without a bye until week 5 – huge differential with not knowing how this back line will hold up. We know he can attack and deliver some beautiful crosses, but will he start out the year cold or hot? And can he stay healthy?

MID

PHI Cristian Maidana – $8.5 (1.6%) The reason for such low ownership has to be that owners are opting for Aristeguieta as their Philly coverage on opening day, but Maidana has huge potential heading into a very intriguing schedule for the start of the season. Controls the offense, should put up around 15 assists. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

SKC Bernardo Anor – $7.5 (0.9%) Should get the start opening day, and he is under pressure to keep his spot. Look for him to continue his preseason form. Has an eye for goal, and should fly under the radar at times to pounce on opportunities. If he keeps starting, this could be his 10+ goal year.

VAN Mauro Rosales – $8.0 (0.7%) Perhaps a bit pricey, if he can stay healthy, Rosales has the potential for another 10+ assist season. Takes corners – will probably be subbed out first due to age. Great differential from a potential MLS cup caliber Vancouver Whitecaps.

FWD

RSL – Alvaro Saborio – $9.5 (1.4%) When healthy, Saborio is a goal scoring machine. Should be a 15+ goal scorer by the end of the year.

POR – Fanendo Adi – $9.0 (1.8%) Adi will get the start opening day, and he wants to continue starting. Portland might start off slow with Valeri and Johnson injured, but it’s also a chance for younger players to step up, and Adi will be ready to score goals. 9 goals and 4 assists in only 1,500 minutes last season, look for those numbers to reach 15 and 5 this year if all goes… better than expected.

SKC – Krisztian Nemeth – $8.0 (2.0%) He probably won’t still be at 2.0% once all teams are compiled, but he will be close enough that I’m going to include him. THIS GUY WILL SCORE GOALS. And after a goal and an assist this upcoming Sunday (captain him if you want to be really bold), look for his ownership to rise significantly throughout the season. If SKC’s attack is running on all cyclinders, Nemeth should be involved in 15-20 goals, whether that’s assisting or scoring. HUGE differential. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.