A crucial Round 22 of MLS Fantasy starts on Wednesday, giving fantasy managers a golden opportunity to double dip on points before a month-long hiatus to recharge their fantasy batteries. Including Round 22, there are only three DGWs left across the final nine rounds of the season, so it’s time to get locked in and make a big push before the break.
Teams NOT on a DGW: DC, POR
Goalkeepers
Carlos Coronel has conceded just one goal over his last three outings, collecting two clean sheets in the process. He’s one of multiple goalkeepers with two home games, and with the Red Bulls playing in one of the first games of the round on Wednesday, we can utilize the “Keeperoo” strategy here if need be.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Carlos Coronel | RBNY | vs. MTL, vs. CIN | $7.4 |
2. Andre Blake | PHI | vs. NE, vs. NSH | $6.2 |
3. Yohei Takaoka | VAN | vs. SKC, vs. HOU | $6.0 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Tim Melia | SKC | at VAN, vs. STL | $4.5 |
Defenders
Julian Gressel has scored a goal or assisted in six straight games, shouldering some of the attacking load while Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez were away on international duty. Suárez's return this week gives Gressel and Inter Miami more attacking firepower to work with, and they have a pair of super juicy home matchups vs. Toronto FC and Chicago to help right the ship after the FC Cincinnati drubbing.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Julian Gressel | MIA | vs. TOR, vs. CHI | $8.7 |
2. Kai Wagner | PHI | vs. NE, vs. NSH | $10.3 |
3. Jordi Alba | MIA | vs. TOR, vs. CHI | $10.0 |
4. Miki Yamane | LA | vs. COL, vs. POR | $9.1 |
5. Cameron Harper | RBNY | vs. MTL, vs. CIN | $7.4 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Damion Lowe | PHI | vs. NE, vs. NSH | $4.5 |
2. Alex Roldan | SEA | vs. STL, vs. LAFC | $5.3 |
Midfielders
Ryan Gauld has dished out five assists across his last three appearances, topping double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back rounds. Up next, he faces a Sporting KC side that he bagged a brace against in Round 15 before wrapping the round with another home game against a Houston Dynamo side that has conceded multiple goals in four of its last five on the road.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Ryan Gauld | VAN | vs. SKC, vs. HOU | $13.9 |
2. Riqui Puig* | LA | vs. COL, vs. POR | $14.6 |
3. Luciano Acosta* | CIN | vs. CHI, at RBNY | $16.8 |
4. Mateusz Bogusz | LAFC | vs. RSL, at SEA | $13.7 |
5. Robin Lod | MIN | vs. DC, vs. SJ | $10.3 |
6. Lewis Morgan | RBNY | vs. MTL, vs. CIN | $10.5 |
7. Albert Rusnák | SEA | vs. STL vs. LAFC | $12.0 |
8. Dániel Gazdag | PHI | vs. NE, vs. NSH | $10.9 |
9. Facundo Torres | ORL | at NSH, vs. NYC | $10.1 |
10. Hany Mukhtar | NSH | vs. ORL, at PHI | $11.6 |
* - Player is one yellow card away from suspension
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Connor Ronan | COL | at LA, vs. RSL | $5.9 |
2. Esmir Bajraktarevic | NE | at PHI, vs. DAL | $6.9 |
3. Diego Fagúndez | LA | vs. COL, vs. POR | $7.0 |
Forwards
Cucho Hernández is in top form with eight goals and seven assists over his last seven appearances. Strike partners Diego Rossi and Christian Ramírez have been posting big numbers over that stretch as well and also warrant serious consideration on a double game week. With the Columbus Crew firing on all cylinders, it’s pick your poison in the attack this round.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Cucho Hernández | CLB | vs. CLT, at ATL | $13.3 |
2. Denis Bouanga | LAFC | vs. RSL, at SEA | $17.2 |
3. Gabriel Pec | LA | vs. COL, vs. POR | $13.2 |
4. Brian White* | VAN | vs. SKC, vs. HOU | $10.1 |
5. Luis Suárez | MIA | vs. TOR, vs. CHI | $13.3 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Tai Baribo | PHI | vs. NE, vs. NSH | $5.9 |
2. Logan Farrington | DAL | vs. ATX, at NE | $4.6 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Cucho Hernández | CLB | vs. CLT, at ATL | $13.3 |
2. Ryan Gauld | VAN | vs. SKC, vs. HOU | $13.9 |
3. Denis Bouanga | LAFC | vs. RSL, at SEA | $17.2 |
MLS Pick’em Round 21
Pick’em advice:
- Pick 3: Will both teams score? Seattle Sounders vs. LAFC
Yes – Both teams have ample firepower to turn this one into a barnburner. Going into Wednesday, the Sounders have scored in 10 straight contests while LAFC haven’t been shut out in 18 consecutive games. I’m banking on both teams to score (BTTS) in Seattle.
- Pick 4: Who is going to win? LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers
Draw – The Galaxy have lost just once at home this season, and some would consider that a neutral game in their July 4 loss to LAFC at the Rose Bowl. Meanwhile, Portland have struggled on the road but are in fine form of late, reeling off five wins in their last six games. With both teams evenly matched, I’ll take my chances on this one ending in a draw.