to a lesser extent -- Brandon Prideaux aren't bad options if you're looking for defensive points on the cheap.
At the other end of the field, Jaime Moreno is pushing the upper limits of affordable, but he looks every bit as lively as he has the past two seasons -- and he takes United's penalties -- so he's worth the splurge. Freddy Adu has three assists so far, but 255,000 MLS dollars still seems like a lot to be paying for a No. 2 option at forward. Alecko Eskandarian has been slightly less productive so far, but he ought to prove to be the better value in the long-term.
Kansas City Wizards: If you're OK with using Eddie Johnson as a rental until he departs for the World Cup in early May (Why wouldn't you be? He'll give you a bunch of points.), he's your go-to-guy in Kansas City. Just make sure you don't forget to trade him when he gets the call from Bruce Arena. Otherwise, you'll be stuck with a guy for whom you can't get anything of value and who won't be adding to your point total. Josh Wolff is in the same boat.
Anyone from the Wizards rearguard is a good pickup, particularly Nick Garcia, who is the least expensive Wizards defender but will provide nearly as many points as Jimmy Conrad and Jose Burciaga, Jr., the more expensive defenders on the K.C. roster. Other good pickups for the Wizards are Sasha Victorine (for set pieces) and Davy Arnaud (for being part of the Wizards' fearsome attack).
New England Revolution: In our Western Conference overview two weeks ago, we told you not to go crazy over Brian Ching's four-goal game on opening day. Likewise, don't get worried about the Revs' sluggish attack. While you probably only have two opportunities to use the likes of Clint Dempsey, Pat Noonan and Taylor Twellman if they end up leaving for the World Cup, their prices are somewhat depressed right now -- Noonan's and Twellman's anyway -- so if you're a shrewd trader, you can come out on top.
The MLS Fantasy Expert covers the MLS Fantasy Challenge every other week throughout the season. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
