Gameweek 3 of MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022 is impacted by Concacaf Champions League with four teams – CF Montreal, New England Revolution, NYCFC and Seattle Sounders – all having played midweek, first-leg ties.

Be ready for possible squad rotation and watch the line-ups.

Stats from FBRef

Goalkeeper

Essential: Earl Edwards Jr. (New England Revolution)

A clean sheet against FC Dallas confirmed Edwards as the ideal bargain keeper option. Still only $5.1m and with a home game against Real Salt Lake, he needs to be in there again…if selected.

Recommended: Sean Johnson (NYCFC) Eloy Room (Columbus Crew)

Both Johnson and Room are amongst the more reasonably priced keepers and play early. Either would be a solid choice for the first part of a keeperoo.

Possible: Steve Clark (Houston Dynamo) Brad Guzan (Atlanta United)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Brad Smith (DC United) Andy Najar (DC United) Brandon Bye (New England Revolution) Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)

Smith and Najar have two straight clean sheets and face Chicago Fire who have yet to score. Both players also have attacking potential and, right now, offer better value for money than Julian Gressel.

After a goal on the opening day, Bye returned a clean sheet against FC Dallas last week. His involvement this week will depend on the Revs’ CCL match.

Wagner is expensive but is arguably the best defender in the game.

Possible: Maxime Chanot (NYCFC) Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew) Antonio Carlos (Orlando City) Lucas Estevez (Colorado Rapids) Andrew Gutman (Atlanta United)

Midfield

Essential: Carles Gil (New England Revolution) Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew)

Chalk, essential, template, call them what you like – build your team around Gil and Zela this week.

Recommended: Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC) Lewis Morgan (NYRB)

With three goals and two assists already this season, Driussi is one of the best performers in the game so far this season. But how will Austin handle their first road game, a tricky trip to face Portland Timbers?

Like Driussi, Morgan has 29 fantasy points in two games. But will the Red Bulls play with the same freedom at home to Minnesota United as they did in their two away trips?

Possible: Derek Etienne Jr. (Columbus Crew) Facundo Torres (Orlando City) Paul Arriola (FC Dallas) Yimmi Chara (Portland Timbers) Frankie Amaya (NYRB)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Patryk Klimala (NYRB)

Klimala has one goal and three assists and is the highest in the league for npxG+A per 90 minutes (1.22). While the available data is limited, he looks like a smart choice this week.

Possible: Miguel Berry (Columbus Crew) Gonzalo Higuain (Inter Miami) Cristian Arango (LAFC) Carlos Vela (LAFC) Michael Estrada (DC United)

Higuain could be an interesting choice, given he is playing in a slightly more withdrawn role and could pick up more bonus points.

Captain

1. Zelarayan
2. Gil
3. Klimala