MLS Fantasy Rankings: Week 8

MLS Fantasy Rankings: Week 8

This article is part of our MLS Fantasy Rankings series.

MATCHES (EDT)

Forwards

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Carlos VelaLAFC at VAN, v. SEA13.8Pick a stat that you think is important for fantasy soccer, and Vela is probably leading the league in said stat...
2Diego RossiLAFC at VAN, v. SEA10.5...Except for shots and touches inside the opponents box, which Rossi is leading in. Using both is entirely viable this week, but opting for two defenders/keeper will be tempting too.
3Latif BlessingLAFC at VAN, v. SEA8.5A certain candidate for rotation, and less likely to poach a goal than Ramirez, but his newfound all around production locks him into the third forward ranking.
4Zlatan IbrahimovicLA v. HOU12.7Don't let Houston's unbeaten record deceive you. They've played four of five at home and haven't faced an impressive opponent yet. While Juan David Cabezas could start and boost the team's defensive record even further, I'll still side with Zlatan who is scoring a goal every sixty minutes.
5Jozy AltidoreTOR v. MIN11.1Pozuelo has shown he's clever enough to work around Minnesota's tough defensive midfield and Jozy will certainly be able to find space amongst the middling Ike Opara and Michael Boxall. With Toronto looking like one of the league's best teams, Altidore has a solid shot at a brace here.
6Christian RamirezLAFC at VAN, v. SEA6.2We'll need to monitor the status of the injured Diomande and Rodolfo Zelaya, but assuming they remain out, Ramirez would be the best value play of the week.
7Fredy MonteroVAN v. LAFC, at ORL7.8Marc dos Santos will likely want to give Ardaiz another shot at starting this week, but it's not 100% whether it will be in place of or alongside Montero. I like but don't love Fredy for this week.
8Gyasi ZardesCLB v. POR9.3Don't call it a revenge game, as Porter is the one who broke up with the Timbers, but he should have the team a little more motivated than usual this week. Gyasi only has four shots on goal in 540 minutes, but he's playing well enough to take advantage of this fallen Timbers defense.
9Dom DwyerORL v. VAN9.2Vancouver already would be a good matchup, but then we add the short two and a half day turnaround PLUS the league's longest flight (VAN-->ORL). It's just a matter of who starts for Orlando. I'd rank Mueller a few spots lower than Dwyer and Akindele would flirt with the top20.
10Alberth ElisHOU at LA10.2 
11Wayne RooneyDCU v. NYC11.1NYCFC are a rollercoaster in defense this year and while I still think they'll figure things out soon, Rooney should be able to take advantage.
12Krisztian NemethSKC at SJ8.2Sporting Kansas City are one of the teams I'll be worried about the least this year when they're on the road. Vermes has their sights locked on the Supporters Shield. For their part, San Jose have given up ten goals in four home games.
13Carlos Darwin QuinteroMIN at TOR12.0 
14Mauro ManotasHOU at LA10.6 
15Josef MartinezATL v. DAL9.3 
16Darren MattocksFCC v. RSL6.8Mattocks has been causing a decent amount of trouble this year, even against quality opponents.
17Bradley Wright-PhillipsNYRB at NE9.0I can see BWP getting rested on turf at this point in his career, but even more than that, he's just been underwhelming to start the year.
18Nemanja NikolicCHI v. COL8.2Either Chicago forward could be ranked a handful of spots higher given the matchup, but there's a lot of competition this week.
19C.J. SapongCHI v. COL8.5 
20Kei KamaraCOL at CHI9.3 

Midfielders

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Mark-Anthony KayeLAFC at VAN, v. SEA9.3More of a rotation risk than Atuesta but the better goal threat and still gets bonus points. I expect to shy away from LAFC midfielders this week largely because the rest of the midfield is stacked and LAFC have great options at other positions.
2Eduard AtuestaLAFC at VAN, v. SEA8.7Leads the league in touches, but only 3/644 have been inside the opponent's box. He's far more a play at safe bonus points than Kaye, and I think a better bet for 180 minutes too.
3Alejandro PozueloTOR v. MIN11.5Already a star, Pozuelo is a lock for the top five midfield spots on a normal week.
4Hwang In-beomVAN v. LAFC, at ORL7.4While the talent suggests he could get us more than 6-8 points over two starts, the production hasn't followed so far in his debut MLS season. I'm beginning to doubt he will start both matches (along with most other Whitecaps) which would drop him to the 17-20 range.
5Yordy ReynaVAN v. LAFC, at ORL8.1I'm more inclined to go for safer Vancouver points this week. Not only is it a gamble to bet on Reyna getting two starts, or 120+ minutes, it's then a second gamble that he will actually produce.
6Jon EriceVAN v. LAFC, at ORL6.4The anti-Reyna in that he should be a safe bet for 7-8 points over the two matches, and he comes at a really good price.
7Felipe MartinsVAN v. LAFC, at ORL6.7I think MdS may now view him as a crucial piece to the team, but the vetern should get rested once this week.
8Johnny RussellSKC at SJ10.8He doesn't earn many bonus points which makes this price, on the road, tough to swallow. I'm still trying to squeeze him into my lineup though.
9Nicolas LodeiroSEA at LAFC11.9 
10NaniORL v. VAN9.8With uncertain playing time and a distinct lack of bonus point production, it's tough to rank Nani much higher even with the favorable fixture.
11Romain AlessandriniLA v. HOU9.3 
12Kenny SaiefFCC v. RSL8.0Justin Glad's return should help RSL shore up the back line, but FCC's playmaker will find some opportunities regardless.
13Julian GresselATL v. DAL9.4 
14Luciano AcostaDCU v. NYC10.4 
15Federico HiguainCLB v. POR8.5 
16Saphir TaiderMTL at PHI11.2 
17Daniel RoyerNYRB at NE7.9I know he's on the road, but at this price and with a likely price rise, I'm going to try and get Royer into my 4th or 5th midfield spot. Three of New England's four home games have ended in 2-0 losses.
18Carles GilNE v. NYRB10.7 
19Nicolas GaitanCHI v. COL8.7The potential price drop isn't appealing, but I do think there's a good chance this is Gaitan's breakout game.
20Albert RusnakRSL at FCC10.0 

Defenders

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Walker ZimmermanLAFC at VAN, v. SEA9.3Left the last match late with what sounds like muscle tightness. Assuming there's nothing serious there, he's the week's top defender.
2Eddie SeguraLAFC at VAN, v. SEA7.2Also got a knock last match but finished the game. I'm probably rolling with Segura over Zimmerman once we factor in salary since there are too many other players I want to squeeze into my team this week.
3Steven BeitashourLAFC at VAN, v. SEA7.2With El-Munir and Hamalainen deserving of some minutes, it's entirely possible that Bob Bradley rotates the fullbacks, but he also might want to keep this great form rolling with the same 11.
4Jordan HarveyLAFC at VAN, v. SEA6.4 
5Ali AdnanVAN v. LAFC, at ORL5.2All Whitecaps will be a gamble since a Wednesday start against a tough team will mean a good chance of not playing on Saturday in Orlando. Adnan is one of the few 'Caps worth gambling on.
6Erik GodoyVAN v. LAFC, at ORL7.6The upside may not be worth the risk with Vancouver centerbacks, but I think Godoy is less likely to be spelled by Derek Cornelius.
7Doneil HenryVAN v. LAFC, at ORL6.8 
8Graham ZusiSKC at SJ8.0I know they're away, but Sporting still strike me as one of the week's better clean sheet chances.
9Matt BeslerSKC at SJ8.0 
10Nick DeLeonTOR v. MIN7.5 
11Andreu FontasSKC at SJ6.2With Fontas clicking, not much need to pay up for Besler.
12Leandro Gonzalez PirezATL v. DAL7.2 
13Jack ElliottPHI v. MTL6.3Montreal sans Piatti are one of the league's worst attacks. The Union continue to fly under the radar in terms of their defensive strength.
14Aaron LongNYRB at NE6.6 
15Rolf FeltscherLA v. HOU6.6As long as he's at home and floating balls into Zlatan, he'll be solid fantasy pick. With Giancarlo Gonzalez returning to MLS, the Galaxy immediately jump up a tier or two defensively as well and should find more clean sheets.
16Nick HagglundFCC v. RSL6.9Hagglund and Waston are interchangeable with both providing a goalscoring threat in a defender spot, but Waston is the more likely one to knock us back a point or more with cards.
17Miles RobinsonATL v. DAL6.4 
18Jonathan MensahCLB v. POR8.5 
19Zakaria DialloMTL at PHI6.7 
20MarceloCHI v. COL5.9 

Goalkeepers

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Tyler MillerLAFC at VAN, v. SEA7.0If you don't use Rossi or Blessing, I think Miller needs to be in your lineup this week with the third LAFC spot.
2Maxime CrepeauVAN v. LAFC, at ORL5.5 
3Zack SteffenCLB v. POR8.7 
4David OustedCHI v. COL5.6Chicago haven't had a terribly tough schedule but the defense is looking better than I initially thought. For his part, Ousted is having a good bounce back year after returning from a backup role. 
5Andre BlakePHI v. MTL6.7 
6Alex BonoTOR v. MIN6.2 
7Evan BushMTL at PHI6.1What Montreal lack offensively, they have been making up for defensively. With Marco Fabian missing this match, I'd be ok rolling Bush out as he seeks a a fourth straight clean sheet.
8Tim MeliaSKC at SJ6.6 
9Brian RoweORL v. VAN5.2Like Ousted, Rowe is a good cheap option if Miller puts up a dud in the first LAFC match.
10Luis RoblesNYRB at NE5.5Red Bulls haven't won in their three road matches, but they've also only conceded a combined four goals. We already talked above about New England's putrid home record.

Value Rankings

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

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Gerso FernandesSKC at SJ7.4Much like Elis last week, Gerso is built to shred San Jose's system. The Earthquakes would be best suited to take a page out of Monterrey's book from the Champion's League clash, and given Almeyda's Liga MX background, he just might.
2Sam JohnsonRSL at FCC6.1 
3Brenden AaronsonPHI v. MTL6.4With Marco Fabian likely to miss the next match at least, Aaronson could reprise his role as the starting #10.
4Ismael Tajouri-ShradiNYC at DCU7.2Castellanos could also slot in here after both players had very good matches in Minnesota. Keep an eye on the lineup at Mitrita and Heber came on from the bench last match but project to be marquee players once NYCFC are rolling.
5Lass BangouraVAN v. LAFC, at ORL6.0 
6RuanORL v. VAN5.1A tired Whitecaps team means Ruan could thrive at both ends of the field.
7Joaquin ArdaizVAN v. LAFC, at ORL5.0I'd strongly consider a 100 minute Ardaiz at this price, but I'd prefer the start be against Orlando and we just can't know that by Wednesday's kickoff.
8Scott SutterVAN v. LAFC, at ORL4.2With Vancouver likely to rotate their right back spot, I'm wary of using any of them, but Sutter should at least be afforded the chance to play his former team in the easier of the two fixtures.
9PCVAN v. LAFC, at ORL4.9Revenge game for PC when the Caps travel to Orlando!
10Greg GarzaFCC v. RSL5.3 

Captain Rankings

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Carlos VelaLAFC at VAN, v. SEA13.8The easiest captain pick I can remember since I've been playing MLS fantasy. It won't be useful if I just list all LAFC guys here, so I won't, but note that I consider Rossi, Blessing, Zimmerman, and even Miller to all be reasonable captain's picks over single game week players if you for some reason want to fade Vela.
2Zlatan IbrahimovicLA v. HOU12.7Zlatan's goalscoring track record makes him the top choice for the #FadeVela team trying to make a big move in the standings.
3Alejandro PozueloTOR v. MIN11.5Pozuelo and Jozy could be a pair we roster on a weekly basis. For now I'll prefer the midfielder that can get points more different ways.
4Johnny RussellSKC at SJ10.8 
5Jozy AltidoreTOR v. MIN11.1 

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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.
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