Fantasy Sports
Kieran Darcy, ESPN Staff Writer 5y

MLS fantasy stars to know for 2019

Fantasy Soccer

Major League Soccer is back! The 2019 season kicks off on Saturday, March 2, and this is your first opportunity to build an ESPN MLS fantasy team. Sign up now and pick your squad before the first week of the season! 

Here's a look at 10 key players you'll want to consider for your Week 1 roster, and beyond:

Josef Martinez (forward, Atlanta United): The 25-year-old Venezuelan forward shattered the MLS regular-season record with 31 goals last season, and then added four more in the playoffs, leading his team to its first championship. Martinez finished first in fantasy points as well, and signed a new contract during the offseason. But Atlanta did lose chief playmaker Miguel Almiron to Newcastle of the Premier League, which could impact Martinez's production this season.

Diego Valeri (midfield, Portland Timbers): A six-year MLS veteran, Valeri finished third in fantasy points last season (Almiron was second) as the Timbers advanced all the way to the MLS Cup final, before losing to Atlanta. Valeri had 14 goals and 13 assists, and led the league in chances created with 119. He scored 21 goals the season before that, but he'll turn 33 in April, which is something to keep in mind.

Maxi Moralez (midfield, New York City FC): Another Argentinian, Moralez finished right behind his countryman in fantasy points last season, in fourth place. He only scored nine goals, but was tied for the league lead with 18 assists, and second in chances created with 110. However, NYCFC lost star forward David Villa during the offseason, and Moralez's fantasy production could dip as a result.

Carlos Vela (forward, Los Angeles FC): The Mexico international finished fifth in fantasy points last season, despite only making 29 appearances for expansion side LAFC. Vela scored 14 goals, and also picked up 14 assists. In terms of fantasy points per game, only one player was better.

Nicolas Lodeiro (midfield, Seattle Sounders): Yet another Argentinian playmaker thriving in MLS, Lodeiro is going into his fourth season with the Sounders, and finished sixth in fantasy points last year. He only scored nine goals in 29 appearances, but was tied for fourth in assists with 16, and third in chances created with 101.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (forward, LA Galaxy): The biggest personality in MLS also averaged the most points per game in his first season in the league. Ibrahimovic scored 22 goals in 27 appearances -- only Martinez scored more (in 39 appearances). And Ibrahimovic took 116 shots ... 10 more than Martinez in 12 fewer appearances. He is 37 years old, but recently said, "I am looking to break every record in MLS this season," so watch out.

Wayne Rooney (forward, DC United): The Manchester United and England legend was a smash hit after coming over from the Premier League last summer. Rooney collected 12 goals and seven assists in just 21 appearances, leading DC on an unlikely run to a playoff berth. He was fourth in fantasy points per game, behind only Ibrahimovic, Vela and Lodeiro, and should be more comfortable in his first full season in the league.

Bradley Wright-Phillips (forward, New York Red Bulls): A previous holder of the MLS record for goals in a regular season with 27, Wright-Philips finished tied for third with 20 goals last year. He led the Red Bulls to the Supporters' Shield, awarded to the team with the most regular-season points. Wright-Phillips only finished 17th in fantasy points, though -- he averaged only 2.4 shots per game, and doesn't pick up a lot of points via peripheral categories.

Gyasi Zardes (forward, Columbus Crew): The 27-year-old U.S. international exploded in his first season in Columbus, matching Wright-Phillips on 20 goals, after finishing with just one goal and one assist in 23 appearances for the Galaxy the season before. But Zardes is an even more goal-dependent player than Wright-Phillips, finishing 26th in fantasy points on the season. At least Wright-Phillips had eight assists ... Zardes had zero, despite playing 3,248 minutes. Zardes' goal-scoring wasn't a fluke, however. He also finished second in xG (expected goals) at 21.09, behind only Martinez (34.11).

Darwin Quintero (forward, Minnesota United): Another player who enjoyed a successful first season in MLS, Quintero also cracked the top 10 in fantasy points per game last year, finishing ninth. The 31-year-old Colombian collected 11 goals and 15 assists despite making only 27 appearances. Minnesota only finished 10th in the Western Conference, but this is a player to watch for sure.

^ Back to Top ^