Week 3 MLS Fantasy Player Picks

Well, we are still discovering things in the early part of the Major League Soccer season. Is Andrew Wenger for real? (It's too early to tell.) How about Mix Diskerud? (It would appear he is more effective when played centrally.) Which teams will have the stronger defenses (the questions just got harder, but more will be revealed, lol.) It's good to have week 2 under our belts and I hope you are surviving nicely.

Here is the strategy for week 3: Take a look at the teams with Double Game Weeks for next week, Week 4, and make some adjustments to set the table there. Four teams, DC United, FC Dallas, New England Revolution and Vancouver Whitecaps enjoy 2 games next week, in addition to games this week. Consider their players carefully when making this week's selections to avoid taking a hit or even using your wildcard. Anyway, let's take a look at this week's recommendations:

Goalkeepers

Travis Worra started for DC United in the place of Andrew Dykstra last week and he delivered a shutout. The homegrown talent is expected to continue in goal with news that Dykstra is having back surgery. He will set you back only 4.1 in salary.

Last week's recommendation, Brian Rowe, remains the starter temporarily for Los Angeles. The Galaxy host the Earthquakes and typically play much better at home. He only costs 4.7.

Many of us began the season with either Jesse Gonzalez or David Ousted. I encourage you to keep either and consider changes in positions other than goalkeeper heading into week 4. The same would hold true for Bobby Shuttleworth, basically it's too early to tell who is emerging as the best goalkeeper or defensive team.

Defenders

With Colorado coming to town, you may wish to consider picking up one of the DC United back line. Tyler Kemp at 7.6 might be your best bet with Steve Birnbaum a possibility to be called into the US side against Guatemala.

The new boy for Los Angeles, Daniel Steres, continued to hold a spot for the Galaxy and is reasonably priced at 5.2.

If you don't yet have a Dallas defender, they appear to have the easiest double next week. I currently have Atiba Harris who was a half time tactical sub for Dallas, who was down 4-0. It didn't help. I intend to end up with Matt Hedges next week, who is the safest bet to start both matches.

For the budget minded, consider Kip Colvey for San Jose at 4.5, Axel Sjoberg for Colorado at 5.5, Troy Vincent for Chicago at 5.0 or even Amadou Dia or Chance Myers for Sporting KC at 6.1 and 6.6 respectively.

Midfielders

Ignacio Piatti is the only player to have jumped in price the maximum, .2, each of the first two game weeks. He is enjoying an MVP caliber start and Didier Drogba is expected to debut for Montreal in Dallas. He appears to be a season keeper, at this juncture.

Mauro Diaz is playing well and at home for FC Dallas. They should be ready to bounce back following the debacle in Houston, where they were blown out by their Texas rivals, 5-0.

The aforementioned Mix Diskerud or even Tommy McNamara are featured at home against Orlando. Goals should flow forth in this match and they are expected to be involved.

Lamar Neagle and Pedro Morales have played well for DC United and Vancouver, respectively. Both enjoy the two matches next week, and are solid options this week.

Diego Fagundez is off to an excellent start to his season and would be, perhaps, the safest selection among all of the New England players.

Forwards

David Villa seems to play better at Yankee Stadium. They are hosting Orlando this Friday night. If you missed it, he delivered 15 at home last week against Toronto. And he has home matches through GW 5. He probably will be my captain for the week.

Sebastian Giovinco picked up where he left off last season as the league MVP. And yes, everyone knows that Toronto begins the season with 7 away matches. Buy him if you don't already have him, keep him if you do.

Cyle Larin has scored in each match for Orlando this season and has delivered 19 points. He is a bargain at 9.2 and NYCFC play with only 3 defenders.

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Just a quick note on my own team and plans. Saturday did not go well for me having Harris, Gonzalez, Sacha Kljestan and Tim Parker. Fortunately, I had David Villa and Giovinco who, along with Piatti, were key picks for the week. I rose from my first week ranking of 1283 to find myself at 459. This is the highest ranking I have enjoyed this early in the season, ordinarily I am looking at using my wildcard in week 3.

My current team is Gonzalez, Parker, Harris, Redding, Piatti, Kljestan, Diaz, P. Morales, Valeri, Piatti, Villa and Giovinco. I am leaning toward adding Travis Worra and saving a pick for next week, but may take a hit and also add Perry Kemp and Fagundez, dropping Atiba Harris and Kljestan. Anyway, I have 5 players already on my team who have 2 games next week (including Harris) and am looking at a total of 8 next week + Giovinco, Piatti and Villa.

Again, my advice this week is to set the table for your selections next week with the four teams involving double games.

What are your thoughts? Who are the players you are considering? Have I missed some bargains? What does your lineup look like? Let's hear from you and fair play to all.

Charles