MLS returns this weekend, as Toronto FC face Columbus on Saturday. Here are the best value picks for MLS fantasy soccer.
Picking your fantasy team going into Week 1 of the MLS fantasy season is difficult. Who’s a starter, how many minutes will he play, is the new signing any good? These are the questions we’re here to answer.
We all know Sebastian Giovinco, Josef Martinez and Romain Allessandrini will be big fantasy players this week. However, finding value and an edge on the mid-tier value guys may separate the winners and losers in your league. These are the top fantasy picks under or $6 million.
Alphonso Davies, Vancouver Whitecaps , $5.5 million
Davies and the Whitecaps have a favorable matchup this week, as Montreal travel to BC Place. The teenager is expected to start for the Whitecaps in a match the home side should dominate. The Impact conceded 58 goals last season, among the worst record in the Western Conference. Their leaky defense looks to be equally as suspect this year. Montreal have conceded an average of 2.25 goals in preseason, including a 5-0 battering from Philadelphia Union in February .
Davies will be hoping to build on his impressive debut season. The winger looks great value at $5.5 million, especially after scoring two goals during preseason. Doing well in preseason isn’t always a sign players will go on to perform well in the league, but it does show Davies is fit, ready and in form to start the year. Meanwhile, the addition of Kei Kamara should only boost Vancouver’s attacking threat, which should give the Whitecaps a focal point in attack to play off, allowing the likes of Davies and Cristian Techera room to run riot .
Stefano Pinho, Orlando City, $6 million
The Brazilian striker’s popularity has risen this week , with the news that Dom Dywer will miss the season opener against DC United. Pinho who would normally be back up to the Englishman should be on starting duties for Orlando this weekend. The forward likelihood of finding the net against DC will be highly increased with the creativity and productivity of new signing Justin Meran , who scored 14 goals last season and assisting six.
Orlando City are favourites for the match against United and in preseason their attacking threat has been on show. City scored 18 goals in thier five preseason matches which is an average of 3.6 goals per game. However, Pinho himself only managed to find the back of the net once in preseason which came in a 5-2 win over Real Salt Lake. However with the increased game time for Pinho and Orlando’s attacking threat at $6 million , the Brazilian offers great value.
Anthony Fontana, Philadelphia Union, $4.5 million
The young midfielder seems to have earned himself a spot on the starting roster for the Union’s season-opener against New England, after an impressive preseason. Fontana was singled out by his manager for praise and the attacking midfielder is regarded as one of the hottest prospects to come out of Philadelphia’s academy in recent years. The 18-year-old has a price tag of $4.5 million, which makes him among one of the cheapest starters in the league, and his recent form makes him a great pick.
Fontana should be heavily involved in the game against the Revolution, as the Union are reliant on the teenager to supply the ammunition to striker CJ Sapong. New England’s defense was the weakest in the Western Conference last year; they conceded 61 goals, and nothing has changed in preseason. The Revolution conceded 12 goals during their seven preseason matches.
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Nick Lima, San Jose Earthquakes, $5.5 million
The San Jose full-back is an attacking threat from defense. Lima and San Jose face Minnesota in their season-opener. San Jose will be firm favorites for this clash and will be looking to put on a attacking masterclass against a side that loved conceding goals last year. Minnesota conceded 44 goals away from home last season an average of 2.5 goals per game.
Lima will have plenty of chances to fly down the wing as San Jose’s wide men normally float from their wide spots to the center of the field, leaving room for Lima to overlap and get into dangerous attacking positions. The full-back averaged 3.19 points last season and he could surpass his average when he faces United this week, with the possibility of an assist and a clean sheet.
Andrew Carleton, Atlanta United FC, $4.5 million
Carleton has impressed during preseason for Atlanta, and he could see some minutes in the season-opener against Houston. The midfielder isn’t yet a first team starter, but his manager has said in the build up to the game that Carleton is training with the first team and could see minutes in the season.
Carleton has a $4.5 million price tag, meaning he could save you money and allow you to get that extra star player in you lineup. He and Julian Gressel have been battling for the same spot in the team, but Gressel’s priced at $7 million, a lot for someone who’s not a guaranteed starter. So It may be worth checking the lineups on announcement to see who gets the spot. If Carleton gets the nod ahead of Gressel, the guy’s a steal at $4.5 million.