MLS Fantasy Rankings: Week 13

MLS Fantasy Rankings: Week 13

This article is part of our MLS Fantasy Rankings series.

The rankings below are based on Major League Soccer's official fantasy game and cover all games in Week 13. While they can be used for DFS purposes, they are done with a focus on the league's season-long game.

If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below, or hit up JD on Twitter @dfsMLS.

Forwards

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Carlos VelaLAFC v. MTL14.9 
2Fredy MonteroVAN at NYRB, v. DAL8.0Vancouver's flight was delayed Tuesday and they were already planning some rotation, so it's anyone's guess as to which Whitecaps will start both games. Assuming Montero starts at New York, I'd feel ok about using a bench spot on him.
3Jozy AltidoreTOR v. SJ10.9 
4Brian WhiteNYRB v. VAN, at FCC6.3BWP sounds possible for the game at Cincinnatti and Tom Barlow opened his goalscoring account last match. Meanwhile, White has just two shots on goal in 339 minutes (both goals). He'd be #2 if you guaranteed me 150+ minutes, but I will likely end up using my Red Bull spots on three other players.
5Josef MartinezATL at RSL9.9 
6Carlos Darwin QuinteroMIN v. HOU10.6Despite a really disappointing run of form, Quintero at home shouldn't be totally disregarded. 
7Kacper PrzybylkoPHI v. POR6.3Portland still have plenty of defensive flaws and Kacper's salary helps unlock a lot of other options. 
8Wayne RooneyDCU at NE10.7 
9Heber Araujo dos SantosNYC at CHI8.9If Wondo can dunk on the Fire for four goals...
10Diego RossiLAFC v. MTL9.0Rossi excels on the counterattack but Montreal and their deep-lying set-up will not allow very many chances for that. 
11Brian FernandezPOR at PHI10.0Fernandez should be ready for a debut start. Philly play good defense but is it enough to stop this Liga MX standout? 
12Mauro ManotasHOU at MIN10.7 
13Kei KamaraCOL v. CLB9.3Kei has already had an extra bounce in his step since the sacking of Anthony Hudson. Now he gets to play his former club. 
14Latif BlessingLAFC v. MTL9.1 
15Raul RuidiazSEA at SKC9.7 
16Tesho AkindeleORL v. LA6.2Tesho's brace gives him some good momentum coming into another solid matchup. There's a lot of good value at forward this week, though, so I don't envision him fitting into my side.
17Tom BarlowNYRB v. VAN, at FCC4.8I'd consider him if he starts on Wednesday, likely from my bench.
18Angelo RodriguezMIN v. HOU7.2 
19Gyasi ZardesCLB at COL7.6 
20Jesus FerreiraDAL at VAN6.4 

Midfielders

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Daniel RoyerNYRB v. VAN, at FCC8.4Royer's offensive production and potential is significantly above Rzatkowski's.
2Marc RzatkowskiNYRB v. VAN, at FCC9.2I think the popular move will be to use 2-3 NYRB spots on defense and keeper. I'm leaning the same way, but with two good attacking matchups, justifying a second midfielder like Rza is pretty easy.
3Hwang In-beomVAN at NYRB, v. DAL7.1Just 22 years old, Hwang is still adjusting to the heavy burden placed on his shoulders in Vancouver. Despite some disappointing outings when the fantasy spotlight has been on him lately, I still think he deserves another chance during the DGW.
4KakuNYRB v. VAN, at FCC7.1I'm tempted to rank the safe points of Sean Davis higher, but Kaku provides a little more upside at the expense of a likely 2-5 bonus point deficit over the double game week.
5Sean DavisNYRB v. VAN, at FCC6.9 
6NaniORL v. LA11.2Due to playing time concerns and the simple fact that Orlando aren't a good team, using Nani always feels risky. He has paid off more often than not, though, and this Galaxy team may struggle to keep possession. Nani should find a few scoring chances at the least. 
7Maximiliano MoralezNYC at CHI10.8Maxi is in form and New York could have all their attacking pieces at their disposal this weekend. I'm not concerned about the short trip to a lifeless Chicago stadium. 
8Nicolas LodeiroSEA at SKC10.9 
9Mark-Anthony KayeLAFC v. MTL10.9 
10Carles GilNE v. DCU9.8 
11Aleksandar KataiCHI v. NYC10.0 
12Diego ValeriPOR at PHI11.1 
13Johnny RussellSKC v. SEA9.5Russell's fantasy stock has fallen and while still a good and perhaps popular play this weekend, I don't see the need to force him into your lineup.
14Favio AlvarezLA at ORL7.8The Argentine's debut for LA doesn't seem to be getting much buzz, but he looks like a player who can make an impact. Without Zlatan, the Galaxy will look to Alvarez for a spark on the road.
15Felipe GutierrezSKC v. SEA8.9 
16Albert RusnakRSL v. ATL10.5 
17Jamiro MonteiroPHI v. POR8.0With consistently good performances since earning the starting gig, Monteiro has earned a consistent look in our fantasy midfields.
18Jonathan dos SantosLA at ORL10.2JdS doesn't look fully healthy after a hamstring injury, but he played well enough last match to merit consideration. I also like Sebastian Lletget in the Galaxy midfield.
19Pity MartinezATL at RSL8.6Having recently been left out of the Argentina squad for Copa America, Pity could have a little extra juice to his game this weekend. 
20Russell TeibertVAN at NYRB, v. DAL5.9With Vancouver's midfield ailing, it's possible Teibert starts both matches in his typical defensively minded role.

Defenders

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Michael Amir MurilloNYRB v. VAN, at FCC7.0Red Bulls fullbacks are the play this week with potentially none of their central defenders playing both matches. 
2Kemar LawrenceNYRB v. VAN, at FCC5.7 
3Amro TarekNYRB v. VAN, at FCC6.8I don't think he's a lock for two starts, but it's pretty possible. Regardless, just one start would be acceptable given the two good matchups.
4Ali AdnanVAN at NYRB, v. DAL7.1Adnan has had quite the marathon of playing time since joining the Whitecaps. I'm not positive he will get both starts this week. 
5Erik GodoyVAN at NYRB, v. DAL7.7 
6Derek CorneliusVAN at NYRB, v. DAL4.4With Doneil Henry out for at least one game, the rangy Cornelius could be a cheap source of bonus points.
7Walker ZimmermanLAFC v. MTL9.9 
8Eddie SeguraLAFC v. MTL8.7 
9Romain MetanireMIN v. HOU8.6 
10RuanORL v. LA6.0Perhaps this week's best single game mix of attacking potential combined with a clean sheet chance.
11Jordan HarveyLAFC v. MTL8.4While Harvey is ranked due to more certain playing time, keep an eye on whichever cheaper option emerges if Beitashour misses due to injury as I expect.
12Jake NerwinskiVAN at NYRB, v. DAL5.8 
13Ike OparaMIN v. HOU8.4 
14Jack ElliottPHI v. POR8.6 
15Joevin JonesSEA at SKC6.0I'd make sure to save enough that you can switch to another Sunday defender just in case he doesn't start.
16Reto ZieglerDAL at VAN8.0Vancouver aren't shy about conceding penalties and they'll be returning from a tiresome road trip.
17Maxime ChanotNYC at CHI8.8Tinnerholm, Matarrita, and Callens all are in play too. NYCFC have been good defensively of late and Chicago are somewhat overrated at this point.
18Kai WagnerPHI v. POR7.8 
19Brad SmithSEA at SKC8.3 
20Auston TrustyPHI v. POR6.9More expensive options like Chris Mavinga, or either Atlanta centerback are worthy of top20 spots too, but I'll stick with Philadelphia's clean sheet chances.

Goalkeepers

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Luis RoblesNYRB v. VAN, at FCC6.3Tim Parker will miss the Wednesday match due to his red card against Atlanta, and it seems that Aaron Long will be out for at least another game. Still, Robles has two quality matchups here and is pretty clearly the top goalkeeping option.
2Maxime CrepeauVAN at NYRB, v. DAL7.1Strangely, I think a lot of people will settle on Crepeau because they feel they need to use up their Vancouver slots. I'd just make sure to stick him on the bench and bank enough salary to move to one of the keepers in the final three matches of the week.
3Tyler MillerLAFC v. MTL7.9 
4Andre BlakePHI v. POR6.4Holding the visiting Sounders scoreless gives me a little more confidence that Philadelphia can do the same against another lesser Cascadian side.
5Brian RoweORL v. LA6.6The Zlatan-less Galaxy couldn't score against Colorado. Rowe gives Tim Howard a run for his money in the competition for worst MLS starting keeper, but Orlando's defensive chances are pretty nice for this home match.
6Bill HamidDCU at NE8.2Hamid's heroics in Toronto underscore his claims of superiority to some USMNT goalkeeping regulars.
7Brad GuzanATL at RSL8.7Atlanta have only allowed one goal in their last six matches. 
8Sean JohnsonNYC at CHI8.0 
9Vito MannoneMIN v. HOU7.5With Elis questionable due to a concussion, the Loons stand a chance at earning their 5th shut out of the season.
10Stefan FreiSEA at SKC7.9I don't rank a visiting keeper in Kansas City lightly, let alone ranking them before Tim Melia. Given Krisztian Nemeth's absence and SKC's recent scoring woes even when he's on the field, the defensively stout Sounders could keep a clean sheet here.

Value Rankings

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

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Lucas VenutoVAN at NYRB, v. DAL5.1 
2Felipe MartinsVAN at NYRB, v. DAL5.4He's hurt, but I can't imagine he wants to miss his return to Red Bull Arena. Felipe is a player that runs on passion and emotion which would either give us a steal at 5.4 or a red card and price drop!
3Robin JanssonORL v. LA5.5Orlando could be a trap this week, but the Galaxy sans Zlatan and with a recovering Jonathan dos Santos are a pretty juicy opponent.
4Cristian PenillaNE v. DCU7.1 
5PCVAN at NYRB, v. DAL4.4His playing time is a roll of the dice, but it could be a worthwhile flier if he starts even one match as an attacking wing or wingback.
6Chris WondolowskiSJ at TOR4.0 
7Andre HortaLAFC v. MTL6.7With Atuesta nursing an injury, either Horta or Nguyen could earn another start. Given the favorable matchup and great prices, I think both are good options.
8Federico HiguainCLB at COL7.3It's probably just in my head, but Pipa v Kei always feels like it carries a little more weight since penalty-kick-gate.
9Chris McCannDCU at NE4.3 
10Giancarlo GonzalezLA at ORL4.9Gonzalez is far too good for this price. With the Galaxy missing some attacking punch, they have the defensive tools to bunker down and steal a clean sheet.

Captain Rankings

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Daniel RoyerNYRB v. VAN, at FCC8.4Best attacker on best DGW team. His two game average sits right around Vela's single game average but we should recognize the quality matchups for Royer as well as the general safety that comes with a two game sample as opposed to Vela's one.
2Carlos VelaLAFC v. MTL14.9Montreal are a lock to sit deep and make life hard for the LAFC attack, but there is enough quality there that I doubt they can stop them.
3Michael Amir MurilloNYRB v. VAN, at FCC7.0Picking a defender feels wrong, but I'd be surprised if there wasn't one clean sheet this week for New York and the chance for two isn't all that bad either.
4Fredy MonteroVAN at NYRB, v. DAL8.0He's not a lock for two starts, but he's a good enough scorer for me to put him in the captain conversation assuming 150+ minutes.
5NaniORL v. LA11.2I don't think the other DGW midfielders stand out above Royer, and I don't think another forward has a safe claim to a captain spot, so Nani is the next best thing. He feels risky, but the attacking output has been there in nearly every appearance.

RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only Soccer Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire Soccer fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
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.
Premier League Gameweek 12: Six Matches, Six Best Bets: Odds, Predictions & Free Tips
Premier League Gameweek 12: Six Matches, Six Best Bets: Odds, Predictions & Free Tips
DraftKings DFS Preview for Saturday, Nov. 23: No Breaks
DraftKings DFS Preview for Saturday, Nov. 23: No Breaks
Premier League Best Bets: Picks, Odds & Predictions for Gameweek 12
Premier League Best Bets: Picks, Odds & Predictions for Gameweek 12
DraftKings DFS EPL Picks for Saturday, Nov. 23
DraftKings DFS EPL Picks for Saturday, Nov. 23
Premier League Preview: Manchester City vs. Tottenham Predictions, Odds, & Notes
Premier League Preview: Manchester City vs. Tottenham Predictions, Odds, & Notes
Sorare MLS: Deke's Diamonds GW29
Sorare MLS: Deke's Diamonds GW29