MLS Fantasy Week 1 positional rankings

Schuyler Redpath

MLS Fantasy is back! A jam-packed 13 game schedule kicks off opening weekend, and there are several juicy matchups worth targeting for fantasy points. Let’s dive right in and take a look at some of the top options and value plays at each position.

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Goalkeepers

Los Angeles FC open the season as the biggest favorite of the weekend and they own the best shutout odds of the 26 teams on the schedule. It’s unclear if it will be Pablo Sisniega or Kenneth Vermeer ($5.0) in goal, but whichever goalkeeper gets the nod against expansion side Austin FC (Saturday, 6 pm ET | FOX, FOX Deportes) is in a good spot to pick up a clean sheet at home. Just be sure to monitor starting lineups and adjust as needed before kickoff.

Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers
Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1	Pablo Sisniega	LAFC	vs. ATX	$5.5
2	Joe Willis	NSH	vs. CIN	$6.0
3	Jimmy Maurer	DAL	vs. COL	$5.5
4	Eloy Room	CLB	vs. PHI	$6.0
5	Pedro Gallese	ORL	vs. ATL	$6.0

Value Goalkeepers

Value Goalkeepers
Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1	Chris Seitz	DC	vs. NYC	$4.5
2	J.T. Marcinkowski	SJ	at HOU	$5.0
3	John Pulskamp	SKC	at RBNY	$4.0

Defenders

Reigning MLS Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman led all active defenders with 127 points in 2020 and he starts the season with a great matchup. FC Cincinnati have an overhauled attack but they’ve been a mixed bag in preseason. Zimmerman has the ability to deliver a serviceable score through defensive bonus points alone, and he should continue to be an aerial threat on set pieces.

Defenders

Defenders
Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1	Walker Zimmerman	NSH	vs. CIN	$7.0
2	Ryan Hollingshead	DAL	vs. COL	$6.0
3	Eddie Segura	LAFC	vs. ATX	$6.0
4	Anton Tinnerholm	NYC	at DC	$6.0
5	Jonathan Mensah	CLB	vs. PHI	$5.5
6	Kyle Duncan	RBNY	vs. SKC	$5.5
7	Yeimar Gomez Andrade	SEA	vs. MIN	$6.0
8	Joevin Jones	MIA	vs. LA	$5.5
9	Jesus David Murillo	LAFC	vs. ATX	$5.5
10	Josecarlos Van Rankin	POR	at VAN	$5.5

Value Defenders

Value Defenders
Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1	Tristan Blackmon	LAFC	vs. ATX	$4.5
2	Donovan Pines	DC	vs. NYC	$4.5
3	John Nelson	DAL	vs. COL	$4.5

Midfielders

Lewis Morgan had a coming-out party in 2020, somewhat surprisingly equaling Nicolas Lodeiro for the most fantasy points of the season. With Lodeiro doubtful for opening weekend, and Alejandro Pozuelo also a question mark, Morgan pops off as a strong play to build around. He figures to be among the league leaders in assists this season and starts the season with a favorable home matchup against the LA Galaxy on Sunday (3 pm ET | ABC, ESPN Deportes).

Midfielders

Midfielders
Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1	Lewis Morgan	MIA	vs. LA	$9.5
2	Lucas Zelarayan	CLB	vs. PHI	$9.0
3	Carles Gil	NE	at CHI	$9.5
4	Eduard Atuesta	LAFC	vs. ATX	$9.5
5	Emanuel Reynoso	MIN	at SEA	$9.0
6	Diego Valeri	POR	at VAN	$9.0
7	Nani	ORL	vs. ATL	$9.0
8	Maxi Morales	NYC	at DC	$9.0
9	Edison Flores	DC	vs. NYC	$8.5
10	Pedro Santos	CLB	vs. PHI	$9.0
11	Latif Blessing	LAFC	vs. ATX	$8.0
12	Chris Mueller	ORL	vs. ATL	$7.5
13	Mark-Anthony Kaye	LAFC	vs. ATX	$8.0
14	Rodolfo Pizarro	MIA	vs. LA	$8.5
15	Cristian Espinoza	SJ	at HOU	$8.5
16	Jamiro Monterio	PHI	at CLB	$9.0
17	Chofis	SJ	at HOU	$9.0
18	Yimmi Chara	POR	at VAN	$8.0
19	Hany Mukhtar	NSH	vs. CIN	$7.5
20	Djordje Mihailovic	MTL	vs. TOR	$7.5

Value Midfielders

Value Midfielders
Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1	Anthony Fontana	PHI	at CLB	$6.5
2	Randall Leal	NSH	vs. CIN	$6.5
3	Przemyslaw Frankowski	CHI	vs. NE	$5.5

Forwards

Carlos Vela gets a dream matchup at home against Austin on Saturday. He’s capable of posting video-game-like numbers anytime he steps on the field, and at $10.5 million he’ll be the consensus captain pick to maximize point potential.

Forwards

Forwards
Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1	Carlos Vela	LAFC	vs. ATX	$10.5
2	Diego Rossi	LAFC	vs. ATX	$10.0
3	Raul Ruidiaz	SEA	vs. MIN	$10.0
4	Gonzalo Higuain	MIA	vs. LA	$9.5
5	Josef Martinez	ATL	at ORL	$10.0
6	Alan Pulido	SKC	at RBNY	$10.0
7	Gustavo Bou	NE	at CHI	$9.5
8	Darwin Quintero	HOU	vs. SJ	$9.5
9	Gyasi Zardes	CLB	vs. PHI	$9.0
10	Johnny Russell	SKC	at RBNY	$8.5