The second week of MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022 is another single gameweek and presents some decent opportunities for point-scoring and budget building.

Stats from FBref

Goalkeeper

Essential: Earl Edwards jr (New England Revolution)

If Edwards again replaces the injured Matt Turner, he is a must for fantasy teams. He costs $4.6m, plays in the first game of the week (so is ideal for a keeperoo) and has a clean sheet chance. Same applies if Brad Knighton is selected instead.

Recommended: Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire) Brad Stuver (Austin FC)

Slonina and Stuver both earned clean sheets last week and have favourable home matches this time.

Possible: Eloy Room (Columbus Crew) Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte FC) Zac McMath (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders

Essential: Kipp Keller (Austin FC)

Keller is a no-brainer. At the time of writing, he costs just $4m due to his bizarre price drop after scoring 10 points in the first game of the season.

Recommended: Brandon Bye (New England Revolution) Logan Ndembe (Sporting Kansas City) Zan Kolmanic (Austin FC)

Bye’s goal at Portland helped him to reach 10 points. The only concern is possible rotation ahead of the next round of the Champions League.

He only managed two points last week but, at $4.5m, Ndembe is another bargain option who can free up funds for other areas of your team.

A clean sheet and an assist meant that Kolmanic delivered 10 points for owners and could provide further attacking returns.

Possible: Andreu Fontas (Sporting Kansas City) Boris Sekulic (Chicago Fire) Rudy Camacho (CF Montreal) Rodrigo Schlegel (Orlando City)

Midfield

Essential: Carles Gil (New England)

One week in and Gil is already hitting double figures. He looks like a ‘must have’ this week.

Recommended:  Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew) Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire) Cecilio Dominguez (Austin FC) Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC)

With 16 points thanks to a goal an assist and a bonus point extravaganza, Zelarayan was one of the stars of Gameweek 1. He’s approaching ‘essential’ territory.

Seven points without a goal or assist is encouraging from Shaqiri’s debut.

Dominguez managed two goals from five shots against FC Cincinatti and a npxG (per 90 minutes) of 1.81. He outscored his more expensive team-mate, Driussi, who is also worth considering.

Possible: Chofis (San Jose Earthquakes) Omir Fernandez (NYRB) Jose Cifuentes (LAFC)

Forwards

Essential: Carlos Vela

He’s back and scoring hat-tricks. Put him in your team.

Recommended: David Estrada (DC United) Chicharito (LA Galaxy)

Estrada had a debut to remember as he scored twice against Charlotte FC and managed 11 fantasy points. He travels to Cincinnati, who lost heavily in Austin.

He doesn’t generate many bonus points but Chicharito is (almost) always a goal threat.

Possible: Jesus Jiminez (Toronto FC) Daniel Salloi (Sporting Kansas City)

Captain

1. Gil (New England)
2. Vela (LAFC)
3. Zelarayan (Columbus)