MLS Fantasy Rankings: Week 30

MLS Fantasy Rankings: Week 30

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 30. 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. HOU, at MIN15.7Vela playing center forward? Risk of LAFC resting Vela since they have already clinched Supporters Shield? Both are risks, but it's also always a giant risk to not use Vela in fantasy.
2Zlatan IbrahimovicLA at RSL, v. VAN13.3If Zlatan doesn't start Wednesday, we have plenty of later matches to adjust. Once the Galaxy are comfortably in the playoffs it's fair to question how motivated he will be in the final matches of the season.
3Brian FernandezPOR v. NE, at SKC9.1Have I led you astray about a half dozen times with Fernandez this Fall season? My team has felt the pain too, keeping me at about #30 OVR compared to probably pushing the Top 10. I'm not keeping the faith just to be stubborn - Fernandez has been close and is the calibre of player that should come up large in these upcoming matches. After experiencing some dizziness last match, it's worth monitoring whether he is fit to play both this week or not.
4Carlos Darwin QuinteroMIN v. SKC, v. LAFC9.0Quintero has been picking up his play and two home games make him an appealing option for those who have been burned by Fernandez too many times.
5Diego RossiLAFC v. HOU, at MIN8.9 
6Brian RodriguezLAFC v. HOU, at MIN7.3Rodriguez from your fantasy bench is a good way to save some cash while still allowing for plenty of upside and limiting your risk.
7Valentin CastellanosNYC v. ATL, at NE6.9 
8Gustavo BouNE at POR, v. NYC10.3Bou played half of the last match but is still managing an injury and Bruce Arena has promised some rotation of these last three matches.
9Alexandru MitritaNYC v. ATL, at NE9.1This would make for another great bench gamble, but if you are right in the thick of a tight race in the standings, I think it would be a gamble to put him right into your lineup.
10Kacper PrzybylkoPHI at SJ, at CLB9.9 
11Mason ToyeMIN v. SKC, v. LAFC5.4Vela + Zlatan owners should strongly consider Toye or Ebobisse as salary relief options.
12Jeremy EbobissePOR v. NE, at SKC5.6It doesn't really work like this, but Ebobisse owes Portland a goal after last match. If Fernandez has some health concerns and sits a match, Ebobisse jumps up the rankings a handful of spots.
13Mauro ManotasHOU at LAFC, at RSL10.1 
14Heber Araujo dos SantosNYC v. ATL, at NE10.3Heber appears set to return on Wednesday, but I can't be certain he will play both matches (especially if they win Wednesday) so he's ranked down here.
15Sam JohnsonRSL v. LA, v. HOU5.8Another sneaky third forward for your bench. RSL will want to get him going as they head into the playoffs.
16Alberth ElisHOU at LAFC, at RSL8.1 
17Christian RamirezHOU at LAFC, at RSL7.5 
18Hector VillalbaATL at NYC, at MTL6.4Should/could be in for Josef up top in the first match and even 30 minutes in the second would put him in play as a semi-appealing differential.
19Zdenek OndrasekDAL at COL7.0The only single game week forward I've ranked, but it doesn't mean I would strongly consider using him.
20Corey BairdRSL v. LA, v. HOU4.9 

Midfielders

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Diego ValeriPOR v. NE, at SKC13.0In what could be his final matches with the Timbers, I'm willing to bet Valeri will not allow his team to miss the playoffs.
2Maximiliano MoralezNYC v. ATL, at NE11.8If his injury still lingers and NYC win on Wednesday, there's a chance he rests on Sunday.
3Magnus ErikssonSJ v. PHI, v. SEA10.8While he won't be listed below, I think Eriksson is a smart differential pick for captain. The absence of dynamic Cristian Espinoza is a small concern for the entire SJ offense on Wednesday but not enough to outweigh a desperate team with a great coach and two home games.
4Cristian PavonLA at RSL, v. VAN11.0Pavon and the Galaxy are peaking at the right time.
5Albert RusnakRSL v. LA, v. HOU11.0Rusnak could make a case to be as high as #3 this week. His inconsistency and slightly lower upside to Eriksson and Pavon keep him at #5 though.
6Pity MartinezATL at NYC, at MTL9.9Pity has a chance to make a statement in a key Wednesday match without Josef Martinez. He has been playing really well and could be a good non-template pick for your fantasy teams.
7Carles GilNE at POR, v. NYC13.1Price and being one yellow away from suspension could keep him off of many teams this week.
8Eduard AtuestaLAFC v. HOU, at MIN10.8When LAFC were rolling, Atuesta was an elite double game week selection. The primary reason for his slip here is risk of rotation, but also the teams form has factored in slightly. 
9Jan GregusMIN v. SKC, v. LAFC9.9Gregus is always the guy we wish we had room/budget for. Due to his limited attacking potential he will likely fall into the same category for many this week.
10VakoSJ v. PHI, v. SEA9.4 
11Felipe GutierrezSKC at MIN, v. POR10.9Guti is so good that even on a downtrodden team with risk of rotation, I think he could be a wise selection.
12Sebastian BlancoPOR v. NE, at SKC9.9Should play closer to 120 minutes than 180 due to fitness concerns as he works his way back from injury. He's so good and Portland are in such a crucial situation that he still makes a good case to be in your lineups.
13Jonathan dos SantosLA at RSL, v. VAN9.0Like Atuesta and Gregus, he should be higher but there are a lot of good choices this week.
14Jefferson SavarinoRSL v. LA, v. HOU10.7Very boom/bust player that many chasers could look to this week.
15Jamiro MonteiroPHI at SJ, at CLB8.9 
16Latif BlessingLAFC v. HOU, at MIN9.1 
17Damir KreilachRSL v. LA, v. HOU8.5A smart pick for RSL exposure in your 5th midfield spot.
18Johnny RussellSKC at MIN, v. POR9.1 
19Mark-Anthony KayeLAFC v. HOU, at MIN9.2 
20Kevin MolinoMIN v. SKC, v. LAFC8.1 

Defenders

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Romain MetanireMIN v. SKC, v. LAFC9.2In 12 home games, Metanire has compiled seven clean sheets, four assists and a goal. I'll take those rates any day.
2Jorge MoreiraPOR v. NE, at SKC9.7With 13 key passes and 8 crosses in the past four matches, Moreira should be good for some bonus points and attacking potential during two crucial matches. A clean sheet is certainly in play, too.
3Ronald MatarritaNYC v. ATL, at NE5.8Matarrita's lower floor / higher ceiling than the corresponding centerbacks is a decision you'll have to reconcile, but with four bonus points of his own last match he certainly can get it done multiple ways.
4Ike OparaMIN v. SKC, v. LAFC8.6Subbed out at halftime last match with a "stomach bug". He should be good to go, but maybe also worth noting that it's been passing through the rest of the locker room.
5Florian JungwirthSJ v. PHI, v. SEA7.7Flo is good for 6 bonus points over the two matches and a clean sheet would put him over the top. San Jose are neck and neck with Portland for the final spot and the veteran defender will make sure to be at his best.
6Alexander CallensNYC v. ATL, at NE7.1 
7Justen GladRSL v. LA, v. HOU9.5No goals, no assists, and potentiall has to play Zlatan? You can spend allocate your funds better than on Glad's hefty price tag, but he should still have a good week.
8Maxime ChanotNYC v. ATL, at NE6.8 
9Walker ZimmermanLAFC v. HOU, at MIN5.7Zimmerman has been pretty rough lately, but the price is good and I think LAFC could grab a clean sheet this week.
10Eddie SeguraLAFC v. HOU, at MIN7.0 
11Aaron HerreraRSL v. LA, v. HOU7.8 
12Tommy ThompsonSJ v. PHI, v. SEA7.2Could have an increased attacking role if SJ go down in either match. They'll feel like they need all three points in each.
13Daniel SteresLA at RSL, v. VAN5.0 
14Rolf FeltscherLA at RSL, v. VAN5.1Rested after his yellow card suspension and finally made good on that assist potential in the prior match!
15Larrys MabialaPOR v. NE, at SKC8.4 
16Michael BoxallMIN v. SKC, v. LAFC8.7Wilfried Moimbe is a good shout too, but you'd have to be more confident of his guaranteed minutes than I do.
17Jordan HarveyLAFC v. HOU, at MIN6.0 
18Donny ToiaRSL v. LA, v. HOU7.9 
19Diego PolentaLA at RSL, v. VAN6.6 
20Leandro Gonzalez PirezATL at NYC, at MTL8.9 

Goalkeepers

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Sean JohnsonNYC v. ATL, at NE7.5Atlanta will be without Josef Martinez and New England have cooled off considerably. For their part, NYC are likely without Tinnerholm and Parks. The only worry here is that NYC clinch the #1 seed in the East prior to Sunday and for some reason choose to rotate Johnson.
2Nick RimandoRSL v. LA, v. HOU8.8If Zlatan doesn't suit up at altitude then Rimando would be #1.
3Vito MannoneMIN v. SKC, v. LAFC8.8Minnesota and Mannone have shown plenty of quality at home and I certainly could make a case for him at #1. However, LAFC will pose a tall task and SKC have been scoring at a healthy clip on the road despite their poor results.
4Tyler MillerLAFC v. HOU, at MIN7.0Home to Houston is about as easy as a fixture can get and LAFC will be keen to put Minnesota back in their place after the Loons went to LAFC and won 2-0 a few games back. Sisniega looms as a chance to jeopardize Miller's dual starts.
5Daniel VegaSJ v. PHI, v. SEA6.1Two good opponents, though Philly could choose to rest some players. The Quakes have only allowed three goals in their last six home matches, making Vega a very good play (these are close and crowded rankings!).
6Steve ClarkPOR v. NE, at SKC8.4I really don't think it'd be shocking for Portland to grab two clean sheets this week.
7David BinghamLA at RSL, v. VAN6.8Like Clark, Bingham is still very much in play despite the lower ranking.
8Andre BlakePHI at SJ, at CLB5.9The final three here are a sizeable jump below the top 7 in my opinion.
9Brad GuzanATL at NYC, at MTL7.8 
10Matt TurnerNE at POR, v. NYC7.1 

Value Rankings

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

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Sebastian LletgetLA at RSL, v. VAN7.3 
2Steven BeitashourLAFC v. HOU, at MIN5.6Beitashour was justifiably subbed out at halftime last match after looking exploitable. That makes me question his potential for 180 minutes this week.
3Carlos Uriel AntunaLA at RSL, v. VAN6.3 
4Eric MillerNYC v. ATL, at NE4.0 
5Gerso FernandesSKC at MIN, v. POR7.0Anton Tinnerholm's concussion may create an opportunity for Miller to start twice.
6Billel TuilomaPOR v. NE, at SKC5.2 
7Nick LimaSJ v. PHI, v. SEA4.7If Tuiloma supplants Dielna for Wednesday's match, I'd be pretty confident in him starting both games.
8Emerson HyndmanATL at NYC, at MTL5.2 
9Erik HurtadoSKC at MIN, v. POR5.2 
10Teal BunburyNE at POR, v. NYC5.6 

Captain Rankings

RankPlayerMatchupPriceNotes
1Diego ValeriPOR v. NE, at SKC13.0My Timbers bias is showing. But I'm not bamboozling you here; Valeri has a better chance to start both game in my opinion and he also has more to play for. 
2Carlos VelaLAFC v. HOU, at MIN15.7That some people are considering not rostering Vela at all this week semi-justifies his rare appearance below #1 in the captain's rankings.
3Zlatan IbrahimovicLA at RSL, v. VAN13.3If he truly wants to chase the Golden Boot, he will need a big two games. It's tough to gauge but I think he'll be the most captained player among the sharp fantasy owners this week (assuming he starts Wednesday).
4Maximiliano MoralezNYC v. ATL, at NE11.8Heber's return should boost NYCFC even further. Maxi sits a tier below the favorite captains due to limited goalscoring upside and a chance at sitting on Sunday.
5Carlos Darwin QuinteroMIN v. SKC, v. LAFC9.0Safer than Fernandez and playing for a new contract and home field advantage. Some of the midfielders are close, but if you're going for it all in your league Darwin may be the better gamble.

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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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