A player’s matchup is one of the most important factors to consider when crafting your fantasy lineup each week. In MLS, where home field provides a greater advantage than most leagues, players often face challenges like cross-country travel and participation in multiple competitions that can take a heavy toll on performance. It’s important to consider these factors, as well as performance metrics like home/away form and player injuries to pinpoint favorable matchups. Each week we’ll focus on a few key matchups that we think you should target that could produce big points. Here are some openers to keep an eye on:

Atlanta United vs CF Montreal (Sat, 7:30pm ET)

With players like Miguel Almiron, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Mateusz Klich bolstering Atlanta’s lineup this off-season, the club’s intention is clear: win games and score more goals. Week one puts them in a great spot to do so, with a home matchup against Montreal. The Canadian side conceded 58.7xG last season, second worst in MLS behind only New England, and after a quiet off-season with few quality additions, I expect their poor defensive form to continue into 2025. The Benz will be rocking a 70,000+ sellout for Atlanta’s home opener, setting them up perfectly to score some goals and pick up the three points. 

PLAYER TARGETS:

• Miguel Almiron (MID, ATL)
• Emmanuel Latte Lath (FWD, ATL)
• Saba Lobjanidze (MID, ATL)
• Brad Guzan (GK, ATL)

Austin FC vs Sporting KC (Sat, 8:30pm ET)

Sporting Kansas City travel to Austin to open up their 2025 MLS campaign, just three days after having to handle Lionel Messi and his squad in the Concacaf Champions Cup. We’ve seen in seasons past, clubs put full effort into the Champions Cup, often leaving them fatigued and/or short handed for their respective MLS matchup at the weekend. Last season MLS teams that played in CCC before week one recorded zero wins, one draw, and six losses. Austin has made some big moves in the off-season, and they’ll be looking to start off on the right foot at home against a tired Sporting KC.

PLAYER TARGETS:

• Osman Bukari (MID, ATX)
• Jon Gallagher (DEF, ATX) 
• Brandon Vazquez (FWD, ATX)
• Dejan Joveljic (FWD, SKC)

San Jose Earthquakes vs Real Salt Lake (Sat, 10:30pm ET)

We’re looking to expose another team who plays a midweek match in the Concacaf Champions Cup here. After a taxing matchup against Costa Rican side, Club Sport Herediano, Real Salt Lake will travel nearly 4,000 miles to play the San Jose Earthquakes. That’s some serious travel. With new coach Bruce Arena, and several hopeful signings like former RSL striker Cristian Arango on board, San Jose will be looking to make a significant improvement on last year’s Wooden Spoon finish.

PLAYER TARGETS:

• Cristian Arango (FWD, SJ)
• Hernan Lopez (MID, SJ)
• Cristian Espinoza (MID, SJ)
• Diego Luna (MID, RSL)

Los Angeles Galaxy vs San Diego FC (Sun, 7:00pm ET)

Expansion side San Diego FC begin their inaugural season with a visit to last season’s MLS Cup champion, LA Galaxy, in what should be an entertaining affair. Expect Gabriel Pec, Marco Reus and Co. to welcome the new kids to the league by attempting to continue their scorching form from last season, which included an MLS-best 63.8xG. San Diego has shown some attacking promise so far this preseason, including hanging 6 goals on Eastern Conference champions, New York Red Bulls. Given Galaxy’s defensive struggles last season (bottom-10 xGA), don’t be surprised to see some fireworks from either side.

PLAYER TARGETS:

• Gabriel Pec (FWD, LAG)
• Marco Reus (MID, LAG)
• Anders Dreyer (MID, SD)
• Hirving Lozano (FWD, SD)

Contributor: Eli Redpath, @vurkes on Discord