Your Week Seven MLS Fantasy Primer

Here we go for another round of fantasy analysis from The Mane Land's resident fantasy sports expert.

Columbus Crew SC Fantasy Scouting Report:

Steve Clark is the fantasy point leader for Columbus right now (29 pts) and is a generally strong goalkeeper. He has two clean sheets this season. Michael Parkhurst entered the season as one of the top options at defender and remains a rock in the back line, but Hernan Grana is the better option for Crew defenders because of a lower price tag ($6.6 compared to Parkhurst at $7.9) and a slight edge in points.

There is some potential for the clean sheet but nothing to panic over. Kei Kamara, Justin Meram and Ethan Finlay are the biggest attacking threats. Kamara is the biggest scoring threat of the three. The attack flows to him and it shows in his numbers (three goals on nine shots on goal and a league-leading 23 shots). Only six forwards have more fantasy points than Kamara’s 27 points.

Orlando City Players to Watch:

Has the year of Kevin Molino (M, $8.1) finally arrived? It’s possible, after his performance in the Pacific Northwest last weekend. Molino finished with nine points in the match, earning points for practically everything but a goal. The inner Orlando City fan in all of you will want to jump on him — unless you already have him rostered — and his price isn’t too bad. But give it another game or two. He only has one assist and 13 key plays, which adds in attacking bonus totals, so keep an eye on his potential progression.

Keep an eye on whether or not Brek Shea (D, $8.0) will play Saturday after playing on Sunday and Wednesday. Three games in seven days is a lot to expect out of any player, let alone a fullback who practically covers the entire left side of the field 90 minutes a match. He’s been solid this season. He’s averaging a little more than four fantasy points a match and always has the potential for goals, assists and any kind of bonus. Check on his status after the US-Mexico tilt. Shea didn’t play in the first half, so he may be good to go Saturday.

Jump on This Bandwagon Though:

Seb Hines (D, $7.6) is having a decent season six weeks into it. His 27 points lead all Orlando City defenders and he carries more value than a lot of high-priced, big name players at the position. Discount back-liners are making or breaking fantasy seasons right now and $7.6 isn’t too much to ask for a center back who should take the majority of the starts this season, barring injury. He’s slightly cheaper than Shea and a much better deal. You could easily swap the two out.

And This One:

You're probably happy that you picked up Cyle Larin (F, $5.5). I told you to do it. You probably didn't need me to but you did. And I'm taking the credit. Stick with him. Larin's goal was amazing and I expect more of that. Now, it's a little rash to hop on the Larin bandwagon and expect a goal every other game but his low price warrants a spot and allows you to spread the wealth to other, less fickle spots than forward.

Numbers of Note:

Seb Hines, Kaká and Kevin Molino all scored nine fantasy points last week to lead Orlando City players. Kaká remains the team leader at 41 fantasy points for the season and remains five back from Ike Opara's MLS-leading 46. Opara's injury — he ruptured his Achilles tendon and will miss 4-6 months — leaves the title of top scorer open for the Brazilian's taking. MLS Fantasy expects him to score seven this week.

Kaká's penalty re-do probably salvaged a lot of crappy weeks and turned ordinary scores into solid week six success.