The rankings below are based on Major League Soccer's official fantasy game and cover all games in Week 3. While they can be used for DFS purposes, they are done with a focus on the league's season-long game.
If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below, or hit up JD on Twitter @dfsMLS.
With one of the week's best home fixtures and a seemingly locked in role as the corner kick taker, Rooney locks in the top forward spot this week.
2
Carlos Vela
LAFC at NYC
11.3
Vela is simply a more certain fantasy factor here on the road than most of the forward options in their home stadium this weekend. LAFC's quality and style of play combined with Vela's energized start to the season completely outweigh the travel to Yankee Stadium.
3
Carlos Darwin Quintero
MIN at LA
12.0
With Zlatan and Alessandrini set to miss another match, Minnesota don't have much to focus on stopping defensively. Queue Quintero pushing forward as Minnesota is emboldened by their early success away from home.
4
Bradley Wright-Phillips
NYRB v. SJ
10.5
With a Week 2 bye and early CCL match, concerns shouldn't be high for Red Bulls rotation. Against a struggling San Jose side, the Red Bulls could romp.
5
Alexandru Mitrita
NYC v. LAFC
10.2
The floodgates are going to open soon if he continues shooting at such an aggressive rate. I'm thinking Dome would prefer he take some higher percentage opportunities, but that'd work for us too!
6
Raul Ruidiaz
SEA at CHI
10.8
7
Josef Martinez
ATL v. PHI
10.5
It's hard to figure out what a rational Atlanta take is right now, but I think they're going to be ok and could win this one by multiple goals. That said, the Union are playing better than their results and there are enough question marks in the 5 Stripes attack that some other forwards take priority for me this week.
8
Diego Rossi
LAFC at NYC
9.5
To my eye, Rossi has taken a big step forward in the off-season. His positioning and decision making has been great through two weeks and it should lead to more consistent fantasy performances.
9
Dom Dwyer
ORL v. MTL
9.1
10
Jeremy Ebobisse
POR at FCC
7.4
Cincy will have some extra juice since it's their home opener, but I'm not certain they're sophisticated enough yet to handle the possession that Portland will cede to them. The Timbers counter is always dangerous and should have a field day on the road this week.
11
Maximiliano Urruti
MTL at ORL
8.9
Montreal continue their cruel road trip (SJ-Houston-Orlando) to begin the year, but I think they can handle this one.
12
Mauro Manotas
HOU v. VAN
9.9
13
Gyasi Zardes
CLB v. DAL
9.7
Dallas probably will keep a closer eye on him than the Revs' pathetic defense did.
14
Jordan Morris
SEA at CHI
8.8
Good upside but it almost has to be from your bench. Putting him in your lineup is asking for a two-point outing.
15
Cristian Penilla
NE at TOR
8.9
16
Alberth Elis
HOU v. VAN
8.7
17
Romell Quioto
HOU v. VAN
8.3
18
Kei Kamara
COL v. SKC
9.7
19
Christian Ramirez
LAFC at NYC
7.2
Like me trying to open a jar lid before my coworker got it the other day, Ramirez is really good at loosening up the opposition before Diomande comes in to feast! (Ok that's not fair to Ramirez but can you tell I'm a big Diomande fan yet?)
20
Krisztian Nemeth
SKC at COL
7.1
Midfielders
Rank
Player
Matchup
Price
Notes
1
Luciano Acosta
DCU v. RSL
11.4
The debate will be fun, but I'm going to bat for Lucho over Rooney if you can only pick one this week.
2
Nicolás Lodeiro
SEA at CHI
11.8
I wouldn't be concerned about his fantasy outing last week. Jumping out to a very quick 2-0 lead wasn't great for his output.
3
Diego Valeri
POR at FCC
11.5
His role on set pieces is absolutely worth the 0.8 more than it costs to get Blanco.
4
Maximiliano Moralez
NYC v. LAFC
10.3
No shots last week but he created six chances.
5
Sebastian Blanco
POR at FCC
10.7
6
Paul Arriola
DCU v. RSL
9.5
Arriola has always been a workhorse on the wing, but he looks extra dangerous through two matches. This vaults him into fantasy consideration.
7
Ignacio Piatti
MTL at ORL
11.0
8
Kaku
NYRB v. SJ
9.0
I'm very curious to see how Kaku handles San Jose's man-marking.
9
Nani
ORL v. MTL
9.4
Montreal defend fairly narrowly which should give Nani plenty of crossing chances from the wing. His quality is unquestioned after 109 minutes and despite very little preseason acclimation.
10
Saphir Taider
MTL at ORL
11.5
It would be tough to pay 0.5 more for Taider than Piatti, but if this keeps up we may have to start adjusting our thinking.
11
Pity Martinez
ATL v. PHI
9.8
He will almost surely be a fantasy factor this season, BUT let's just wait and let him show us once before we continue putting our faith in him. The main reason is that we can't risk another big price drop with two bad totals weighing him down in the unnecessarily mysterious FMLS formula.
12
Victor Rodriguez
SEA at CHI
9.0
If you want to save 2.8 by using VRod over Lodeiro, that'd be reasonable this week. Just know you're giving up both some safety and some upside.
13
Julian Gressel
ATL v. PHI
8.5
Wingbacks are going to be crucial in Frank de Boer's stubborn new system which is an interesting choice since, frankly, Gressel might be their only quality one.
14
Albert Rusnak
RSL at DCU
11.0
15
Lee Nguyen
LAFC at NYC
8.2
16
Federico Higuain
CLB v. DAL
9.3
17
Johnny Russell
SKC at COL
9.1
18
Carles Gil
NE at TOR
9.2
Toronto looked dreadful in preseason and CCL, but with a week one win and a bye week to prepare, I'm not sure we need to be excited about the Revolution this week.
19
Daniel Royer
NYRB v. SJ
7.5
20
Tomas Martinez
HOU v. VAN
8.4
Defenders
Rank
Player
Matchup
Price
Notes
1
Aaron Long
NYRB v. SJ
6.7
Will be plenty rested after CCL and has one of the league's best clean sheet chances.
2
Michael Murillo
NYRB v. SJ
7.2
Less bonus points but more attacking potential than Long.
3
Leonardo Jara
DCU v. RSL
7.0
Twice the attacking upside of Joseph Mora, but Jara is expensive and both are good plays this week.
4
Joseph Mora
DCU v. RSL
6.0
5
Tim Parker
NYRB v. SJ
6.7
No reason to pay for Parker when Long is the same price - unless you want both which wouldn't be crazy.
6
Graham Zusi
SKC at COL
7.1
Set piece role keeps Zusi in contention every week.
7
Kemar Lawrence
NYRB v. SJ
6.5
8
Larrys Mabiala
POR at FCC
6.5
A set piece threat and a solid clean sheet chance against the league's newcomers. Gimme.
9
Brad Smith
SEA at CHI
5.8
Seattle have been attacking heavily down the left wing, which does get Smith more involved but has allowed Leerdam to get into the box from the opposite flank. If this continues, you're going to have to keep choosing between higher goal potential and the safer points from Smith (crosses, assists, chance creation, passing).
10
Leandro Gonzalez Pirez
ATL v. PHI
6.6
With Marco Fabian out for the Union, Atlanta could have a get right game here, at least on defense. A 1-0 win against Monterrey, despite losing the CCL series, is promising.
11
Kelvin Leerdam
SEA at CHI
6.0
See Brad Smith's note.
12
Jorge Villafaña
POR at FCC
5.9
If Portland decide to uncharacteristically dominate Cincy via possession, Villfana could enjoy some success higher up the pitch.
13
Kim Kee-Hee
SEA at CHI
5.8
14
Steven Birnbaum
DCU v. RSL
7.0
15
Miles Robinson
ATL v. PHI
5.6
You bet I'm taking the 1.0 savings on LGP and going with Robinson. He should remain in the mix for the 2pt passing bonus nearly every match (so will LGP and probably Parkhurst too).
16
Matt Besler
SKC at COL
7.4
17
Francisco Calvo
MIN at LA
7.0
Would be significantly higher if this match were at home. Still like him but not for 7.0.
18
Chad Marshall
SEA at CHI
6.4
19
Ike Opara
MIN at LA
7.4
20
Zarek Valentin
POR at FCC
5.0
The price is right!
Goalkeepers
Rank
Player
Matchup
Price
Notes
1
Luis Robles
NYRB v. SJ
6.0
Not only is Robles the best keeper play, he gets to play early so we know if we need to spend on another goalkeeper!
2
Bill Hamid
DCU v. RSL
6.9
If you are paying for a nearly 7.0 keeper this early, share your budgeting tricks with me!
3
Jeff Attinella
POR at FCC
5.3
Will be a popular second wave of most keeperoos. Unless you're a #HomeDrone.
4
Stefan Frei
SEA at CHI
6.5
5
Brad Guzan
ATL v. PHI
5.6
Maybe you're more comfortable with Atlanta at home than Portland on the road. I'd refer you to Guzan's week one gaffe before locking in your pick.
6
Tim Melia
SKC at COL
6.5
Glad he's getting buzz for being snubbed from USMNT. Has deserved a call-up for a while.
7
Joe Willis
HOU v. VAN
5.2
8
Zack Steffen
CLB v. DAL
6.7
9
Alex Bono
TOR v. NE
5.6
10
Brian Rowe
ORL v. MTL
4.6
You might be able to get away with a Rowe/Attinella keeperoo to saves cash. I'm not thrilled about Orlando even at home, though.
Value Rankings
(forwards and midfielders under $7.5, defenders under $6.0; not ranked above)
Rank
Player
Matchup
Price
Notes
1
Julio Cascante
POR at FCC
4.3
$2.2 savings over his centerback partner Mabiala. Should be safe in terms of price change if he picks up a few bonus points.
2
Ezequiel Barco
ATL v. PHI
7.3
I'd actually be really tempted if the price change formula didn't penalize 1-minute substitute appearances the same as 1-pt 90 minute matches (I'm assuming it does based on prior movements). I'm not at a point where I can risk a big drop yet.
3
Romain Metanire
MIN at LA
5.7
4
Jesus Medina
NYC v. LAFC
7.3
NYCFC are going to find some solutions soon, and they may be forced to early if LAFC's attack keeps clicking.
5
Yohan Croizet
SKC at COL
5.7
Not guaranteed to rotate into the lineup, but he's a solid play if he does.
6
Ruan
ORL v. MTL
4.8
Keep an eye on this Orlando wingback! Looks like he could be an exciting player.
7
Paxton Pomykal
DAL at CLB
6.2
Impressed in his first start of 2019.
8
George Bello
ATL v. PHI
4.5
9
Chris Mavinga
TOR v. NE
5.4
Captain Rankings
Rank
Player
Matchup
Price
Notes
1
Luciano Acosta
DCU v. RSL
11.4
Safer than Rooney with as much upside.
2
Wayne Rooney
DCU v. RSL
10.5
3
Nicolás Lodeiro
SEA at CHI
11.8
Roll your eyes at all my road captain choices...
4
Diego Valeri
POR at FCC
11.5
...and let me laugh at you put the armband on BWP.
5
Carlos Vela
LAFC at NYC
11.3
Vela is making a case to just keep the armband on every week.
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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.
