MLS Fantasy Rankings: Week 2

MLS Fantasy Rankings: Week 2

This article is part of our MLS Fantasy Rankings series.

MATCHES (ET)

Forwards

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Cristian PavonLA v. VAN12.0Chicharito drew plenty of attention in Week 1, and it allowed Pavon to shine. Vancouver may not have many solutions on the road, considering they were gouged for three at home.
2Carlos VelaLAFC v. PHI13.8All LAFC players come with some risk this week - they play their next CCL match four days later, and every other game will be over by the time we know their lineup. Many will find Vela worth the risk, but as of Wednesday night, I'm leaning towards playing it safe with three other forwards.
3Gustavo BouNE v. CHI11.5Bou both benefits and is hurt by Carles Gil's absence. He becomes the primary playmaker, but the offense is understandably worse without another star in the lineup. I like him regardless of Gil's status.
4ChicharitoLA v. VAN10.8The Galaxy really struggled to find Chicharito in Houston last week, opting to just bombard the Dynamo with 27 crosses. They're still figuring things out, but the matchup is good enough for me to consider playing both Pavon and Chich.
5Felipe MoraPOR v. NSH8.3 
6Alan PulidoSKC v. HOU11.0Pulido had a good, not great, first match and while SKC's 3-1 win on the road is impressive, I'm not sure the attacking three are comfortable yet. Johnny Russell is not nearly as good on the left wing, while Khiry Shelton tucks inside from the right.
7Diego RossiLAFC v. PHI10.3Rossi led MLS in week one with four shots on target. If he starts, he'll be a threat once more.
8Raul RuidiazSEA v. CLB10.3 
9Jesus FerreiraDAL v. MTL8.7Ferreira is a rising star in the league and I'm pretty sure he'll frequently get ranked over Ondrasek due to his playmaking abilities. The Cobra is far more goal dependent.
10HeberNYC at TOR9.8With four days rest, I wouldn't be too concerned about the upcoming CCL match.
11Kei KamaraCOL v. ORL10.5 
12Zdenek OndrasekDAL v. MTL9.0 
13Jordan MorrisSEA v. CLB10.5Morris rarely gets the love he deserves in fantasy circles, but his big outtings are somewhat less predictable and his bonus points harder to come by than many wingers who get on the ball more. 
14Jozy AltidoreTOR v. NYC9.8 
15Adam BuksaNE v. CHI7.3 
16Luis AmarillaSJ v. MIN10.5Ethan Finlay is going to cause defenses a lot of trouble if he keeps playing like he did in week one. The beneficiary of Finlay's right wing dominance will often be Amarilla.
17Lucas CavalliniVAN at LA8.3 
18Robert BericCHI at NE10.5 
19Maximiliano UrrutiMTL at DAL8.5He was the primary scorer, corner kick taker, and arguably creator, all at once in the first match. That likely won't continue (not if Montreal want to finish above last place), but headed into a *REVENGE GAME*, Urruti is worth a passing glance.
20Jurgen LocadiaFCC at ATL10.6Others considered: Mauro Manotas, Ola Kamara, Brian Rodriguez

Midfielders

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Sebastian BlancoPOR v. NSH9.8Valeri is safer due to his penalty kick and set piece duties, but Blanco's ceiling from open play is significantly higher in my opinion.
2Pity MartinezATL v. FCC8.3Without Josef, this is Pity's chance to step up and carry the team. Everything I've seen and heard from him so far makes me think he'll do it.
3Alejandro PozueloTOR v. NYC12.0 
4Joao PauloSEA v. CLB9.5This ranking largely assumes Lodeiro will miss once again, but Paulo is top20 even if Lodeiro starts.
5Ezequiel BarcoATL v. FCC9.5 
6Michael BarriosDAL v. MTL8.8Montreal have the least rest of any upcoming CCL team and Dallas look like an attack with plenty of potential. If the Impact don't trot out their A-Team, then Barrios is looking at a great matchup.
7Diego ValeriPOR v. NSH10.4 
8Lucas ZelarayanCLB at SEA10.5Few midfielders will still crack the top 10 when playing at Seattle, but Zelarayan is the real deal. 
9Rodolfo PizarroMIA at DC9.3I wasn't terribly impressed by Pizarro in week one, but he was clearly the Miami focal point, and it's tough to judge him too harshly in the franchise's first game against the league's best team (sorry Sounders).
10Daniel RoyerNYRB at RSL9.5Both Royer and Valot had more action and impact than Kaku, but I would consider all three. Royer stands above the others due to his increased goalscoring chances while still maintaining playmaking potential.
11Latif BlessingLAFC v. PHI10.6I think Blessing gets rested or subbed off early, simply because he's looked like LAFC's second most important player this year (just my opinion). Also, Eduard Atuesta should be high in the rankings if he starts, but he is working back to fitness and I'd guess he sits too.
12Cristian RoldanSEA v. CLB10.5 
13Albert RusnakRSL v. NYRB8.8 
14Jonathan dos SantosLA v. VAN9.5JdS seemed close to playing in week one, so I think he could be back this week. The Galaxy desperately miss his midfield presence.
15Julian GresselDC v. MIA11.0To some's surprise, he started in the #10 role. Offensively, he often shifted right while Edison Flores came inside, but focused more centrally in defense. I wouldn't say it was a rousing success, but potential is there for plenty of bonus points if this continues.
16Gadi KindaSKC v. HOU8.0Peter Vermes is going to have some incredibly tough decisions when all of his midfield are healthy, but Kinda made a case to be a first-team lock in week one.
17Cristian EspinozaSJ v. MIN10.0 
18Kevin MolinoMIN at SJ9.0 
19Jack PriceCOL v. ORL9.5Price will be a popular pick this week after serving up 15 crosses, assisting five shots, and overwhelmingly commanding the play for the Rapids. Those bonus points are great, as are the assists, but be wary! Price has only scored two goals in his 57-start MLS career and picks up yellow cards about every third match.
20Jamiro MonteiroPHI at LAFC7.8Others considered: Hany Mukhtar, Edison Flores, Alexandru Mitrita, Alvaro Medran, Johnny Russell, Florian Valot

Defenders

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Reto ZieglerDAL v. MTL7.0Penalty duty and one of the week's best clean sheet chances.
2Jorge MoreiraPOR v. NSH5.3Until shown otherwise, we should assume Portland will foolishly keep pushing numbers into the attack with reckless abandon. Nashville may not be able to take advantage of their defensive vulnerabilities, so that gives Moreira great potential for points at both ends.
3Fernando MezaATL v. FCC5.9Atlanta control the game through their back line, and Meza's passing looks up to par. With those 1-2 bonus points pretty much guaranteed, he'll be near the top of the rankings in every appealing matchup.
4Ryan HollingsheadDAL v. MTL7.0 
5Dario ZuparicPOR v. NSH5.9Zuparic also projects to have good passing point returns, but in a worse defense. Nashville are still figuring their offense out, though.
6Emiliano InsuaLA v. VAN5.9If the Galaxy insist on bombing crosses into the box each week, Insua is one of the primary fantasy beneficiaries. He had a pretty impressive debut.
7Luis MartinsSKC v. HOU6.0From the left back spot, Martins led SKC in touches! Playing through the wings is a clear focus for SKC and Martins attacking potential complements that very well.
8Matt HedgesDAL v. MTL7.0 
9Kyle DuncanNYRB at RSL6.0 
10Tristan BlackmonLAFC v. PHI6.5Blackmon's role as a right back that can often push into the defensive midfield in possession, but also make runs up the right flank, has been fun to watch so far. If he plays prior to CCL this week, I am keen on his fantasy potential.
11Eddie SeguraLAFC v. PHI7.0 
12Anton WalkesATL v. FCC5.5 
13Oswaldo AlanisSJ v. MIN7.0Surely you've seen his free kick goal from last week, but if not go find it. He did not monopolize set pieces, but could very well be the team's penalty taker too. We'll monitor his role moving forward.
14Larrys MabialaPOR v. NSH6.0 
15Rolf FeltscherLA v. VAN4.1 
16Brooks LennonATL v. FCC5.3If Atlanta have to play a little slower without Josef Martinez, and cross a little more into the imposing Adam Jahn, then Lennon may actually benefit from the superstar's absence in terms of fantasy output.
17Lalas AbubakarCOL v. ORL5.7 
18Reggie CannonDAL v. MTL6.5 
19Steve BirnbaumDC v. MIA5.4Birnbaum had more touches in the Colorado box last week than Ola Kamara, indicating he remains a large focus on attacking set pieces, and he's playing a new team that struggled to find a solution at striker in week one.
20Milton ValenzuelaCLB at SEA6.5Others considered: Keegan Rosenberry, Vito Wormgoor, Xavier Arreaga, Kelvin Leerdam, Zach Brault-Guillard

Goalkeepers

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Jesse GonzalezDAL v. MTL7.0With CCL looming, Montreal may not trot out a first-choice XI. Dallas kept a clean sheet against a better team last week.
2Brad GuzanATL v. FCC6.3Cincy may actually have a formidable attack (I thought Regattin was impressive in addition to Locadia), but I think it'll take a few more weeks.
3David BinghamLA v. VAN7.0He won't be assisting many goals like he did in week one, and the defense in front of him is still suspect, but this matchup is favorable.
4Steve ClarkPOR v. NSH5.3 
5Clint IrwinCOL v. ORL6.0If you watched Orlando last week, I'm impressed you're reading this and not still asleep from that snooze-fest! The Lions still won't have Nani, so Colorado is a decent play defensively.
6Kenneth VermeerLAFC v. PHI7.0 
7Tim MeliaSKC v. HOU6.3Houston will be more dangerous than they were in week one, presuming Alberth Elis and Darwin Quintero are back in action, so I'd try to stick with the top 5 or 6 keepers here.
8Bill HamidDC v. MIA5.7Miami played hard in week one, and I'm not betting on them to get shut out two weeks in a row. Still, they clearly are not a finished product up top.
9Stefan FreiSEA v. CLB5.7 
10Luis RoblesMIA at DC7.0Also considered: David "Ball Cap" Jensen.

Value Rankings

(forwards and midfielders under $7.5, defenders under $6.0; not ranked above)

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Adam JahnATL v. FCC4.8Jahn led the USL in goals last year for a dominant Phoenix Rising side. Now sandwiched between Pity and Barco until reinforcements arrive, he shouldn't be as bad as many fear. Please use him from the bench if you opt to take a chance on him, though.
2Mark McKenziePHI at LAFC5.4If LAFC rest a bunch of starters, McKenzie is the defender you'll want to use.
3Tsubasa EndohTOR v. NYC6.3Endoh may have flown under the radar as one of the brighter surprises in week one.
4Joevin JonesSEA v. CLB5.7 
5Adrien PerezLAFC v. PHI4.5If Perez, Bryce Duke, or for a bit more Francisco Ginella, get a spot start in place of some rested stars, they are worth a look. Look for these players as a last resort if your three bench guys didn't put up a good score for your switcheroo.
6Sergio SantosPHI at LAFC6.3 
7Memo RodriguezHOU at SKC5.7 
8Nick DePuyLA v. VAN5.5DePuy should be good for 2-3 bonus points per game and has a clean sheet chance here. It looks like Steres will be out again, but monitor the lineup to make sure DePuy starts.
9Cristian DajomeVAN at LA6.8Vancouver actually had more expected goals than SKC last week, and I think their attack has some potential.
10Khiry SheltonSKC v. HOU6.4 

Captain Rankings

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Cristian PavonLA v. VAN12.0Unless Vancouver goes all-in on suffocating Pavon and taking their chances with Chicharito, I can't see a scenario where the Argentine doesn't get plenty of chances.
2Sebastian BlancoPOR v. NSH9.8Nashville's defense appears solid, but I'm still going to try and pick on them to start the season. Blanco was aggressive in week one, and loves to shoot from anywhere in the attacking third.
3Pity MartinezATL v. FCC8.3It's ok to be leery of Atlanta sans Josef, but Cincy allowed three goals to a team fronted by Brian White last week. 
4Gustavo BouNE v. CHI11.5With Chicago still integrating new pieces, New England are a pretty good bet to find goals at home.
5Carlos VelaLAFC v. PHI13.8Captaining Vela is risky considering the looming CCL match and this being the last game of the week. I'd rather play it safer, but won't blame anyone who is willing to risk if for the league's biggest fantasy force.

RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only Soccer Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire Soccer fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JD Bazzo
JD is a former RotoWire contributor. He was a finalist for the 2017 FSWA Soccer Writer of the Year award. JD had been writing for RotoWire since 2015. He is a proud Pittsburgh native, purveyor of fantasy sports, and likely the first Penn State Basketball fan you've ever met.
Champions League Best Bets: Picks, Odds & Predictions for Tuesday, Nov. 5
Champions League Best Bets: Picks, Odds & Predictions for Tuesday, Nov. 5
Champions League Betting Picks & Predictions for Matchday 4
Champions League Betting Picks & Predictions for Matchday 4
Fantrax Finds & Sleeper Adds: Waiver Wire Pickups for Gameweek 11
Fantrax Finds & Sleeper Adds: Waiver Wire Pickups for Gameweek 11
Premier League Preview Tottenham vs. Aston Villa Predictions, Odds, & Notes
Premier League Preview Tottenham vs. Aston Villa Predictions, Odds, & Notes
DraftKings DFS Preview for Saturday, Nov. 2: Pick And Choose
DraftKings DFS Preview for Saturday, Nov. 2: Pick And Choose
DraftKings DFS EPL Picks for Saturday, Nov. 2
DraftKings DFS EPL Picks for Saturday, Nov. 2