2023 MLS Fantasy Round 1 Positional Rankings | MLSSoccer.com

The slate has been wiped clean and a fresh new MLS Fantasy season is upon us! The tried and true fantasy gems like Carles Gil, Kai Wagner and Hany Mukhtar are back to deliver the fantasy goods, tasking fantasy managers with some tough decisions to make in Round 1.

We also have some shiny new toys to play with in the form of Evander, Dante Vanzeir, and Giorgos Giakoumakis to name a few. Let’s dive right in and take a closer look at the top plays and values at each position heading into the first matchday of 2023.

Goalkeepers

Brad Stuver has the luxury of facing expansion side St. Louis CITY SC in their first-ever MLS game (8:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass). There are a lot of unknowns surrounding St. Louis, but what we do know is that Stuver and Austin FC have a strong track record at home, and they are once again projected to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Expect a strong showing from the heavy home favorite that gives the Verde & Black all three points on opening day.

* D.C. United starting GK to be announced on opening day

Defenders

Kai Wagner posted video game-like numbers in 2022, totaling more fantasy points than the likes of Carles Gil, Sebastián Driussi, and Luciano Acosta along the way. Philadelphia return the same core group that fell just short of lifting MLS Cup, and with sky-high expectations for 2023, we can expect more of the same from Wagner.

Midfielders

Sebastián Driussi had a coming-out party last season, bagging 22 goals and falling just one shy of winning the Golden Boot presented by Audi. He recently inked a new contract that will keep him in Austin through 2025, and with arguably the best matchup on the schedule in Round 1, he’ll look to pick up back where he left off in Saturday’s clash with St. Louis CITY SC.

* Mukhtar is questionable to start due to injury 

Forwards

Brandon Vazquez flashed his scoring prowess with 18 goals in 2022, leading FC Cincinnati to their first postseason appearance in the process. With strike partner Brenner arriving late to full preseason training camp, Vazquez could be the feature forward until Brenner is back up to speed. Look for Vazquez and FC Cincinnati to come out swinging in a favorable home matchup vs. Houston Dynamo FC on opening day (7:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).