MLS Fantasy Round 18 positional rankings

Schuyler Redpath

Fantasy managers are in prime position to post some big scores this week, with all but three teams playing twice in Round 18. There are still several key players away on international duty, so be sure to look over the list of players called up for Copa America and be aware of players on yellow card watch. A full slate of Major League Soccer kicks off Wednesday, so let’s dive right back in and look at the top plays and values for the big double game week.

Teams NOT on a DGW: CHI, NE, VAN

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Goalkeepers

Hugo Lloris reeled off five straight shutouts before conceding his first goal in over 500 minutes in Round 17’s 3-1 win at Orlando. LAFC are in a good spot facing an Austin FC attack with just one goal across their last three matches before closing the week out versus a San Jose side winless in five straight. Look for Lloris to get back on track in Round 18.

Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1. Hugo Lloris	LAFC	at ATX, vs. SJ	$8.2
2. Roman Bürki	STL	vs. COL, vs. ATL	$7.1
3. Roman Celentano	CIN	vs. PHI, vs. NE	$7.7

Value Goalkeepers

Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1. Alex Bono	DC	vs. ATL, vs. HOU	$4.3

Defenders

John Tolkin has delivered double-digit fantasy points in his last two appearances, and the New York Red Bulls' schedule sets up nicely for a big double-game week. Tolkin has emerged as New York’s primary corner kick taker, boosting his fantasy upside with additional assist opportunities. A $6.3 price tag provides some much-needed salary relief in a pair of enticing matchups with teams that have seen their share of struggles at both ends of the field.

Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1. John Tolkin	RBNY	at MTL, vs. TOR	$6.3
2. Adilson Malanda	CLT	vs. ORL, at PHI	$8.6
3. Kai Wagner	PHI	at CIN, vs. CLT	$11.2
4. Aaron Long	LAFC	at ATX, vs. SJ	$9.1
5. Tomas Totland	STL	vs. COL, vs. ATL	$8.0

Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1. Cam Harper	RBNY	at MTL, vs. TOR	$5.4
2. Daniel Lovitz	NSH	at TOR, vs. NYC	$5.8

Midfielders

Luciano Acosta rescued multiple fantasy managers as the “next-up” captain selection once Riqui Puig was ruled out in Round 17. The FC Cincinnati string-puller dished out three assists to finish with 16 points, and he’s taken over as the most expensive player in the game at $16 million. Lucho went off for 28 points in his last DGW round, and with FC Cincinnati in the thick of the Supporters’ Shield race, I’m expecting another big showing with two enticing home games in Round 18.

Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1. Luciano Acosta	CIN	vs. PHI, vs. NE	$16.0
2. Evander	POR	at SJ, vs. VAN	$13.7
3. Cristian Espinoza	SJ	vs. POR, at LAFC	$12.9
4. Mateusz Bogusz	LAFC	at ATX, vs. SJ	$11.7
5. Eduard Löwen	STL	vs. COL, vs. ATL	$9.2
6. Andrés Gómez	RSL	at SKC, vs. LA	$11.9
7. Hany Mukhtar	NSH	at TOR, vs. NYC	$12.1
8. Thiago Almada	ATL	at DC, at STL	$12.5
9. Héctor Herrera	HOU	vs. SEA, at DC	$9.8
10. Djordje Mihailovic	COL	at STL, vs. MTL	$11.3

Value Midfielders

Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1. Omir Fernandez	COL	at STL, vs. MTL	$6.5
2. Derrick Etienne Jr.	TOR	vs. NSH, at RBNY	$5.4
3. Hosei Kijima	STL	vs. COL, vs. ATL	$4.0

Forwards

Denis Bouanga has found the net in three straight outings, including a brace in Round 17’s triumph at Orlando City SC. Look for Bouanga to keep it rolling against an Austin FC side that have conceded multiple goals in three straight matches before haunting a San Jose Earthquakes defense that has shipped a combined nine goals across its last two games.

Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1. Denis Bouanga	LAFC	at ATX, vs. SJ	$15.4
2. Cristian Arango	RSL	at SKC, vs. LA	$15.7
3. Cucho Hernández	CLB	at MIA, vs. SKC	$11.3
4. Gabriel Pec	LA	vs. NYC, at RSL	$11.4
5. Christian Benteke	DC	vs. ATL, vs. HOU	$11.7

Value Forwards

Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1. Luis Muriel	ORL	at CLT, vs. CHI	$6.9
2. Mounsef Bakrar	NYC	at LA, at NSH	$6.5

Captain

Player	Team	Opponent	Price
1. Luciano Acosta	CIN	vs. PHI, vs. NE	$16.0
2. Denis Bouanga	LAFC	at ATX, vs. SJ	$15.4
3. Cristian Arango	RSL	at SKC, vs. LA	$15.7