If you didn’t qualify for the Fantasy Champions League in the first qualifying period, the slate is wiped clean as Round 7 of MLS Fantasy also marks the start of the second qualifying period.
The top 50 entrants through Rounds 7-12 advance to compete for big prizes and fantasy glory in the Fantasy Champions League final round at the end of the season. Let’s get right into it and look at the top plays and values to help your side compete for an FCL spot.
Teams on a BYE: ORL
Get more advice on the _MLS Fantasy Insider Round 7 preview_ podcast
Goalkeepers
Yes, I have goalkeepers from the only two remaining winless teams in MLS ranked No. 1 (top pick and top value pick), but hear me out. There aren’t many GKs who jump off the page for a clean sheet this round, so it’s a perfect time to deploy the “Keeperoo” tactic. I feel strongly that at least one of New England or Seattle grab their first win this weekend, and a clean sheet may come along with it.
Redpath's Recs: Keeperoo
Here’s how to execute the Keeperoo, which essentially gives us two shots at collecting a clean sheet: With New England playing in the first time slot of the round vs. Charlotte (7:30 pm ET), put Henrich Ravas (or Earl Edwards Jr. – whoever starts) on your bench with an Orlando City GK in the starting lineup as a placeholder.
If the Revs earn a shutout, do nothing and Ravas/Edwards Jr. will automatically sub in since Orlando City are on a BYE. If the Revs concede, swap Stefan Frei in before Seattle’s match with Montréal kicks off at 10:30 pm ET. Just be sure to leave enough in your bank to plug Frei in if needed, and be mindful of when that match locks if you’re new to the Keeperoo.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Stefan Frei | SEA | vs. MTL | $6.1 |
2. Patrick Schulte | CLB | vs. DC | $7.6 |
3. Yohei Takaoka | VAN | vs. TOR | $6.2 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Henrich Ravas | NE | vs. CLT | $4.9 |
Defenders
With no obvious defenders to target for clean sheets this week, I’m loading up on attacking backs that could impact the scoresheet and potentially collect clean sheet points along the way.
Look, Julian Gressel has been extremely boom-or-bust this season, but his fantasy stock gets a big boost when Lionel Messi is out of the lineup. He’s been standing over the majority of set pieces and has registered an assist in consecutive games, including one off a set piece to open the scoring in Wednesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup match.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Julian Gressel | MIA | vs. COL | $7.8 |
2. Kai Wagner | PHI | at NSH | $7.6 |
3. Brooks Lennon | ATL | at NYC | $8.4 |
4. Alex Roldan | SEA | vs. MTL | $6.3 |
5. Jake Davis | SKC | vs. POR | $6.8 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. DeJuan Jones | NE | vs. CLT | $4.9 |
2. Allan Arigoni | CHI | vs. HOU | $4.0 |
Midfielders
Riqui Puig leads all midfielders with 50 fantasy points, and he’s primed to play a pivotal role in Saturday’s El Tráfico at LAFC. The Barcelona product has notched a goal contribution in four of his last five games, and with what could turn into a back-and-forth affair, chances should be plentiful for both sides in the battle for Los Angeles.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Riqui Puig | LA | at LAFC | $11.2 |
2. Carles Gil | NE | vs. CLT | $10.8 |
3. Luciano Acosta | CIN | vs. RBNY | $11.9 |
4. Evander | POR | at SKC | $10.0 |
5. Sebastian Driussi | ATX | vs. SJ | $7.9 |
6. Thiago Almada | ATL | at NYC | $10.4 |
7. Hany Mukhtar | NSH | vs. PHI | $8.3 |
8. Joseph Paintsil | LA | at LAFC | $10.7 |
9. Ryan Gauld | VAN | vs. TOR | $8.4 |
10. Eduard Atuesta | LAFC | vs. LA | $8.5 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Nacho Gil | NE | vs. CLT | $5.6 |
2. Esmir Bajraktarevic | NE | vs. CLT | $5.2 |
3. Ali Ahmed | VAN | vs. TOR | $5.8 |
Forwards
Denis Bouanga will look to continue peppering the goal in Saturday’s El Tráfico after rattling off 14 shots across his last two matches. He bagged a brace against the Galaxy in their last encounter, and it wouldn't surprise to see him do it again now that he’s rounding back into form.
NOTE: Cucho Hernandez has missed the last two games due to "team policy." If Cucho returns to the lineup, he's in a good spot to get back on the scoresheet in a juicy home matchup with D.C. United.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Denis Bouanga | LAFC | vs. LA | $10.4 |
2. Cucho Hernandez | CLB | vs. DC | $11.5 |
3. Dejan Joveljic | LA | at LAFC | $11.0 |
4. Luis Suarez | MIA | vs. COL | $11.2 |
5. Cristian Arango | RSL | at MIN | $10.7 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Tyrese Spicer | TOR | at VAN | $6.0 |
2. Jamal Thiare | ATL | at NYC | $4.3 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
1. Riqui Puig | LA | at LAFC | $11.2 |
2. Carles Gil | NE | vs. CLT | $10.8 |
3. Denis Bouanga | LAFC | vs. LA | $10.4 |
All players who participate in (3) or more rounds by May 26, 2024, will be entered into the MLS Pick’em Sweepstakes. One player from that pool will be randomly selected to win a 2024 MLS All-Star Game VIP Experience. Don’t forget to get your picks in early and often!
Pick 2: Chicago Fire FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC
Who is going to win?
Draw – All but one of a combined 11 matches involving Chicago and Houston this season have been decided by one goal. Typically I would lean towards the home side here, but the Fire defense continues to leak goals and the Dynamo have been sneaky good this season. In what should be a tightly contested matchup, I’ll take my chances with a draw here.
Pick 4: Minnesota United FC vs. Real Salt Lake
Will both teams score?
YES – Minnesota have been shut out just once across their last 17 matches in all competitions at home, while RSL have only been held scoreless one time over their last 14 matches dating back to 2023. All signs point to goals at Allianz Field on Saturday.
Pick 5: Seattle Sounders FC vs. CF Montréal
Who is going to win?
Seattle Sounders – The Sounders are one of just two winless teams in MLS heading into Matchday 8, but they certainly don’t have the look of a team that is dead last in the Western Conference. Despite the bad start, they are unbeaten at home with a pair of draws, and I think they get back in the W column against a road-weary Montréal side coming off of back-to-back losses.
