Fantasy Fridays | MLS Fantasy League week 2

The first round of MLS Fantasy was full of suspense and we are ready for MLS Fantasy League Week 2. We saw some of the usual fantasy contributors, such as Sebastián Driussi and Dániel Gazdag, put in strong performances, and we also saw the potential of newcomers, such as Eduard Löwen and Sergii Kryvtsov, who posted double-digit point totals. With the 2023 MLS Fantasy season well underway, let’s take a closer look at the best players and values at each position.

Goalkeepers

LAFC kicks off their 2023 season against the Portland Timbers, who struggled offensively despite a 1-0 win in their season opener. The Timbers only had seven shots on goal and attacker Yimmi Chara left the game early due to a hamstring injury. LAFC has kept a clean sheet in four of their five home openers, which bodes well for the defending MLS Cup champions, who will make their season debut on March 4 with a strengthened backline. Here are our three top picks for MLS Fantasy League week 2:

PLAYER	TEAM	OPPONENT	PRICE
1. John McCarthy	LAFC	vs. POR	$6.0
2. Djordje Petrovic	NE	vs. HOU	$7.0
3. Brad Stuver	ATX	vs. MTL	$6.7

Value Goalkeepers

PLAYER	TEAM	OPPONENT	PRICE
1. Jeff Gal	CHI	vs. NYC	$5.0
2. Daniel	SJ	vs. VAN	$5.5
3. Jonathan Sirois	MTL	at ATX	$4.0

Defenders

With a late goal and assistance from Henry Kessler, the New England Revolution won 1-0 at Charlotte and kept a clean sheet on Matchday 1. The Revs center back had three shots, which made him a threat on set pieces, and he earned three extra points for his defensive work. In Round 2’s advantageous home opener against Houston Dynamo FC, he will want to build on the excellent start. Here are our three top picks for MLS Fantasy League week 2:

PLAYER	TEAM	OPPONENT	PRICE
1. Henry Kessler	NE	vs. HOU	$6.5
2. Brooks Lennon	ATL	vs. TOR	$6.7
3. Diego Palacios	LAFC	vs. POR	$6.0

Value Defenders

PLAYER	TEAM	OPPONENT	PRICE
1. Jackson Ragen	SEA	vs. RSL	$5.5
2. Kipp Keller	ATX	vs. MTL	$4.9
3. John Nelson	STL	vs. CLT	$5.1

Midfielders

Carles Gil lost no time in reminding us that, even in the absence of a goal or an assist, he is more than capable of accumulating fantasy points. By a combination of extra points from passes, crosses, and significant opportunities created, the great midfielder finished with seven points in Round 1. Gil will likely play a significant role in a favorable home game against Houston. Here are our three top picks for MLS Fantasy League week 2:

Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1. Carles Gil	NE	vs. HOU	$9.7
2. Sebastian Driussi	ATX	vs. MRL	$9.3
3. Thiago Almada	ATL	vs. TOR	$9.5

Value Midfielders

PLAYER	TEAM	OPPONENT	PRICE
1. Jared Stroud	STL	vs. CLT	$5.0
2. Damian Rivera	NE	vs. HOU	$4.2
3. Noel Buck	NE	vs. HOU	$4.3

Forwards

Despite numerous opportunities to add to his point total in Round 1, Luiz Arajo only managed to score one point. He had seven shots, which ranked him second among all MLS players on Matchday 1. His colleague Thiago Almada had more (8). Look for Arajo to remain the focal point of Atlanta United’s attack against a Toronto FC team that let up three goals to D.C. United in their season opener after a great preseason performance and while newcomer Giorgos Giakoumakis is still adjusting. Here are our three top picks for MLS Fantasy League week 2: