This is a short week in FNWSL, so rather than me pontificating about recess or Boys Like Girls, let’s just dive right in!
The double round is behind us, and Round 6 begins Friday evening with two matches at 8e/7c/6m/5p: Angel City visits Orlando for the latest edition of the Disney Rivalry and Houston hosts Utah. Also, for planning ahead, Gotham and Portland will both not play league matches in Round 10, so keep that in mind for transfers over the next couple of weeks.
Which players are taking the most set pieces?
All NWSL teams have played at least five games so far, which is a pretty good sample size. Let’s take a look at the set piece data through five rounds (excluding Tuesday’s match). Admittedly, the fantasy value of set pieces (especially corner and free kicks) is very dependent on the overall offensive performance of the team, but they do significantly increase a player’s weekly fantasy ceiling. Here are a few important set piece nuggets through five matches:
- Penalties: the following players have taken penalty kicks so far: Lo’eau LaBonta (3), Marta (2), Ary Borges, Carolina Conti, Ally Sentnor, Jaedyn Shaw, Olivia Moultrie, and Ji So-yun
- Corner Kicks: Many NWSL players have multiple players taking corner kicks, depending on the side and the match situation, but a few players have taken the vast majority of CKs so far for their teams: Taylor Huff (93.8%), Sarah Schupansky (83.3%), Claire Emslie (77.8%), Julia Grosso (75%), Olivia Moultrie (66.7% as of Friday’s match), and Marta (64.5%). Also, Huff takes almost all of Bay’s outfield free kicks.
- Shots from Free Kicks: Kenza Dali, Deyna Castellanos, and Ally Sentnor all have multiple shots from free kicks. Dali also takes about half of the Wave CKs.
- Passes from Free Kicks: The vast majority of free kicks are taken by GKs, but among outfield players, veteran DFs Abby Dahlkemper, Sam Staab, and Emily Sonnett lead the way here.
- Thanks to Jeremy for catching several additions to this list!
So what does this data mean? For one thing, it really underscores the FNWSL importance of Ally Sentnor and Taylor Huff, both of whom we have discussed at length already this season. While both Utah and Bay are off to slow starts in the goal-scoring department, their involvement in set pieces really increases the fantasy ceilings of both players.
Also, there are several great differential options on this list. Kenza Dali is on fewer than 5% of FNWSL teams, and with San Diego tied for third in goals scored through 5 matches, she’s got serious upside for the rest of the season. The same can be said for Deyna Castellanos, who is carving out a significant role in the Portland attack and is not very widely selected in FNWSL (yet).
Speaking of differentials…
Who are some differential options for your third forward?
We talked last week about the Fantastic For-ward strategy, and I personally was planning to transfer in Ashley Hatch this week to play up front next to Barbra Banda and Temwa Chawinga. Unfortunately, Hatch suffered a concussion in last weekend’s match and may not play in Round 6, so I’m considering other options.
Also, if you don’t have enough budget to commit $1.3M+ to your front line, or are looking for a differential, let’s consider some other forwards. The FW landscape has become even more complicated with the unfortunate news that Trinity Rodman will be out indefinitely. I think there are four ideal differential options at FW: Reilyn Turner, Esther González, Jameese Joseph, and Delphine Cascarino. (Also, Lynn Biyendolo got her first start for Seattle and logged 79 minutes and an assist. I’m not all in on the Reign attack yet, but she’s definitely worth keeping in mind as the season continues.)
Reilyn Turner ($125k) is the highest value option. Without Sophia Wilson, Portland’s attack has been a little inconsistent, but before Tuesday’s match, the Thorns were actually second in the NWSL in xG with 8.1 (above Orlando and trailing only Kansas City), and as an every-week starter, Turner is right in the center of it: she leads Portland in total shots and my favorite stat, npxG + xAG.
Chicago is off to a rough start in 2025, but Jameese Joseph ($100k) is actually tied with Alyssa Thompson in sixth place for fantasy points among FWs. She dominates touches in attacking third for the Stars and is establishing a great partnership up front with Ludmila, while mixing in some defensive points as well. She’s the least expensive of the group, and is an ideal choice if you’re spending lots of money at DF and MF.
As I mentioned, San Diego has moved up to third in the NWSL in Goals For, and Delphine Cascarino ($300k) burst onto the scene with 2 goals and an assist against Louisville. Due to her cost and the fact that San Diego has overperformed on preseason expectations so far, I’d classify her as the most differential option of the group. If the Wave are able to maintain this level of goal scoring, Cascarino could be the key to making up ground in your mini-league.
Esther González ($400k) is the premium option. Like Portland, Gotham’s attack has been inconsistent so far, but González now has five goals in her last three matches. If you have the money, I’d bring her in.
What are your plans for life after the double round? Comment or Bluesky @MansersAnswers!