The World Cup will have a big effect on FNWSL in the second half of the year, so this roster may need some adjustments (see Step 8), but for now we are looking at overall value for the remaining games of the season. Next week, once we have more clarity on World Cup rosters, we will take a deeper dive into potential replacement players, but for now, here’s how I would build a FNWSL after Round 11.
Step 1: The Must-Have Forwards
Considering the depth of forward talent in FNWSL this year. I’m starting three FWs every week, so let’s start there. Specifically, let’s start with Lynn Williams and Sophia Smith.
While both will likely make the US team for the World Cup, their value is so high in FNWSL that they need to be on your roster either way. They are by far the two highest scoring players so far this season, and make a great high-floor and high-ceiling combination in your front line. Williams has really only had one low-scoring week (two fantasy points in Round 2), while Smith has scored at least 14 points in over half of the rounds this season.
Step 2: The Other Premium Players
Since we’ve only spent $600k on our two elite forwards, we have some flexibility, so which other premium price players ($350k-$400k) should we add to the mix?
We’ve mentioned before the importance of Savannah DeMelo, and while she has cooled off in FNWSL over the past few rounds, she is still performing at an elite level at a position (MF) that is very tricky this season. Only two MFs have logged over 100 fantasy points so far (compared to eight FWs and 5 DFs), so this is a position where the premium price is the most justified. On the same note, Crystal Dunn is the other high-priced midfielder that I want on my team.
I won’t blame you for adding Trinity Rodman, but I’m a little wary of how unpredictable the fantasy points are in Washington. It’s very difficult to predict on a week-to-week basis whether Rodman, Ashley Hatch, Ashley Sanchez, or even Paige Metayer is going to rack up the points. The Spirit are great for fantasy, but the fantasy value in Washington can be had for less money. For that reason, I’m going to pick Hailie Mace as my other premium player. DF is where we have seen the most direct correlation between cost and fantasy output this season, and Mace is the highest scoring defender. In terms of the premium players, it’s essentially a tossup between her and Carson Pickett, but let’s save $50k and go with Mace.
Dunn will probably make the US roster, but you should be safe with your investment in DeMelo and Mace for the World Cup.
Step 3: The Mid-Price Players
We’ve reached $1.65M in cost, so now we need to start looking for some less expensive players to fill out the roster. There are plenty of great low-cost options at FW and GK, so let’s focus on mid-price players at DF and MF.
Sam Coffey is the easy choice here, as she’s leading all MF in points at a price of only $225k and plays for the most prolific team in the league. Her fellow Thorn Meghan Klingenberg (also $225k) is one of two very high-value options at DF along with Kylie Strom ($200k), who we’ve talked about a few times over the past few weeks.
I’ll understand if you want to save your fourth and final Portland slot for another player, but these four (Smith, Dunn, Coffey, and Klingenberg) are the four highest-scoring Thorns so far and probably the most valuable from a fantasy perspective.
It’s looking unlikely we will see any of these three players in the World Cup, which should really increase their value in July and August.
Step 4: The Goalies
Kailen Sheridan has a significant lead in fantasy points and tied with Casey Murphy for the most clean sheets (five) in the first half of the season. However, only 14 fantasy points separate the second highest-scoring GK (Bella Bixby) from the ninth (Aubrey Kingsbury), so this is a position where you probably want to save money. Considering the cost and overall performances of their teams, and the fact that Sheridan and Murphy will likely both be Down Under, I’m going with Abby Smith ($100k) and Aubrey Kingsbury ($150k), and rotating them weekly based on matchups.
Step 5: The Third Forward
There are plenty of great lower-cost options at forward, but in terms of pure fantasy value, Adriana Leal da Silva ($125k) stands alone at the midpoint of the season after scoring a brace in Round 11. She’s tied with Claire Emslie for fifth in fantasy points among forwards, and is the lowest-price player in the top sixteen forwards. I wouldn’t blame you for preferring Emslie, Ashley Hatch, or even Jaedyn Shaw for this spot, but da Silva looks to have a very high ceiling for the second half. Adriana will almost surely be in Australia/New Zealand for Brazil, so let’s consider Emslie as well for the bench (below).
Step 6: The Rest of the XI
We can start one more MF, but there’s more consistent value to be found at DF so let’s stick with a 4-3-3. I’m going to go with Alana Cook in a dead heat over Ryan Williams (both at $250k). OL Reign has slipped a little over the last few weeks, but are still leading the league by far in xGA (10.5, with Portland in second at 12.3), so while I’m not investing as much in the Reign defense as I was earlier in the season, there’s still a lot of value here. Cook is looking like a likely option for the US team, and if she does make the squad, pivot to Williams in this spot.
Step 7: The Bench
We have three spots left, and $375k to work with. This is where we really want to bring in players that will fill in during the World Cup. Normally, I’d focus on DF and FW in these spots, but don’t overlook MF Narumi Miura ($75k). Somehow, she’s logged 84 fantasy points without scoring a goal, and the Courage appear to be on the upswing at the halfway point of the season. Let’s add Claire Emslie ($200k), who is valuable already and also should be an ideal fill-in at FW during the World Cup as Scotland did not qualify. I’ll spend the last $100k on Tara McKeown, as the Spirit have only conceded 10 goals all season and she is the only $100k player in the top 22 fantasy defenders.
Step 8: Prepping for the World Cup
If we go with this roster, we will likely have to have back-up plans for Sophia Smith, Lynn Williams, Adriana, Crystal Dunn, and Alana Cook. You still have two free transfers left before the World Cup starts, and bringing in some replacement FWs (or potentially MFs if you want to switch formations) is the highest priority. Here are a few to consider at the moment:
Paige Metayer (MF, $75k): Rodman and the Ashleys will likely all be at the World Cup, and Metayer could be the biggest beneficiary.
Bethany Balcer (FW, $300k): Megan Rapinoe (and Rose Lavelle) are looking likely to make the US roster, and Balcer could pick up the slack.
Morgan Weaver (FW, $300k): In the absence of Smith and Dunn, Weaver could be in line for a big boost in Portland.
Who are you bringing in for the second half of the season? Comment or tweet @MansersAnswers!
