Western Conference 2023 Preseason Preview Part 1

Western Conference 2023 Preseason Preview Part 1

LAFC

2022 Takeaways

Bale arrived to win a trophy and swiftly retire. Chicho Aarango scored more goals than anyone in MLS except Mukhtar. Crepeau posted a stellar first season behind a backline that changed more often than Montreal and Chicago changed their crests. Hollingshead scored goals and Bouanga joined in the summer and scored some too. 

 

2023 Fantasy Take

Some new faces and some departures make the defending MLS Cup Champions a bit of a question mark. Still, an offense with Vela is an offense that scores and the spine of the midfield remains unchanged from last season. 

• Denis Bouanga– Now that Chicho Arango has officially been traded away, goals are going to need to come from somewhere. With 4 goal contributions in his first 6 games, the DP left winger has some shoes to fill. 
• Aarong Long– The California native has returned home, but who will he play alongside? Chiellini started inconsistently once he arrived and with Segura likely gone, the answer is probably Murillo. If Long can stay healthy and the partnership clicks, he could be in for a return to his previous fantasy point production.
• Carlos Vela– Whether you always do or always don’t, you can’t deny Vela’s impact on the MLS Fantasy game. Averaging 5.9 ppg in 2022, he often did produce. However, there’s a question about who will play centrally for LAFC with Arango gone. Vela’s positioning has occasionally impacted his points, but health and partnership will play a role in Vela’s production as well.

 

LA Galaxy

2022 Takeaways

DP Douglas Costa was an absolute bust, Chichorito missed penalties in a way that was both surprising and disappointing and Aarujo stacked up points from the wingback position, even without consistent shutouts. Riqui Puig showed up in the summer window and even though it took people weeks to properly pronounce his name, he settled in quickly with goal contributions and bonus points. 

 

2023 Fantasy Take

Puig will likely be one of the top midfielders in the fantasy game this season. The question is whether or not Chicharito can help contribute or if Jovelic will actually start (and keep up his scoring streak). Chatter about more signings has continued in the off season, which is something to keep an eye on.

• Riqui Puig– The 23 year old Spainard racked up 9.5 points per game in his 8 starts last season. While the Galaxy haven’t yet brought additional players to fill their open DP and TAM spots to support him, Puig is likely to continue his point production this season. 
• Julian Araujo– 18 seconds different and he would have been in Barcelona suiting up for their B-Team, but due to one of the more baffling front office errors in recent memory, the homegrown wingback will be with the Galaxy for at least another transfer window. 4.72 ppg in 2022 and likely to continue playing up field, Araujo should be a player to watch.
• Chicharito and Jovelic– How much gas does Chicharito still have left in the tank? As a player who is often goal dependent for points, his success was hardly consistent last season. However, with Puig in the 10, we could see more goals this season. And will Jovelic finally get some consistent starts? The super sub of the season was never given a proper run, but scored more than any other sub last season. If he starts this season, will the goals keep coming?

 

Portland Timbers

2022 Takeaways

While Yimi Chara started off hot, Portland was inconsistent for fantasy points last season. Blanco fought through injuries, Niezgoda and Mora couldn’t find a rhythm and the defense struggled for shutouts. Bill Tuiloma was a bright spot with his goal scoring as a defender and Moreno ended the season with the most points for the team.

 

2023 Fantasy Take

Hot new 10 in the house. Portland has been a streaky fantasy choice in the post- Valeri prime, but a playmaker can often change a lot of things. If the defensive line becomes less rotated than in season’s past, there may be some key players there as well.

• Evander– If you know a Portland fan, you’ve probably heard this name ad nauseam by now. The Timbers went out and spent over $10 million on a 23 year old Brazilian number 10. We often take a wait and see approach with new signings, but Evander is already getting Mukhtar level hype. The question is how the front 3 can help Evander produce. Besides Yimi Chara, the front 3 are mostly unproven (Fogaca scored twice in 400 minutes, Niezgoda and Mora both injury prone and one dimensional). 
• Eryk Williamson– Despite his fallout with Savarese last season (to the point where Williamson was getting benched down the stretch), Williamson should hopefully get some minutes if he sticks around. Rumors of a big GAM/TAM trade have floated around this offseason, but while he’s in the Rose City Williamson could and should produce.
• Yimi Chara– 4.82 ppg last season and a flashy new 10 to distribute should make Yimi a solid choice for 2023. He’s been consistent since his arrival and there’s no reason for that to fade this season.

 

San Jose Earthquakes

2022 Takeaways

While the team production left something to be desired, the Quakes were sneaky productive in fantasy last season. Espinoza, Montiero, Ebobisse all averaged over 5 ppg. Nathan was a card risk with decent production and Marcincowski was a solid keeper-oo option. That’s about it for a season that was mostly to forget.

 

2023 Fantasy Take

Enter Luchi Gonzalez. SJE are actually spending money with their new coach at the helm. They paid a club record fee for defensive midfielder Carlos Gruezo. Tommy Thompson got a contract renewal and Cade Cowell had a great showing in USMNT January camp. It’s fair to be cautiously optimistic about SJE. 

• Cristian Espinoza– The 7th most producing midfielder in the game last season is poised to repeat this year. While he often racked in the points, he wasn’t often highly selected. With a high profile new coach aiming to get the team back on track, keep an eye on Espinoza.
• Jeremy Ebobisse– After leaving Portland, Ebobisse has found his form in San Jose. With 17 goals in 2022, Ebo earned the 5th most points of any striker. More than Arango, Brenner, and Chicharito. The attacking core of this midfield is all returning and under the leadership of Gonzalez a stellar season can be expected.
• Cade Cowell– I’ll be honest that I have very little data to back this up, but I like Cade Cowell this season. The kid is getting bigger, stronger, faster and sharper and it’s only a matter of time before that translates to fantasy point production.

 

Seattle Sounders

2022 Takeaways

Three of the Sounders’ top fantasy point players were defenders, which isn’t great for a team with so much offensive talent. With Joao Paolo out the entire season after tearing his ACL, Seattle’s midfield was a shell of itself for most of the season. Ruidiaz went from injury to injury and only put in 9 goals on the season. Nouhou, Yeimar and A. Roldan were BP machines for a defense that wasn’t exactly cleansheet consistent.

 

2023 Fantasy Take

Honestly, I’m betting on more of the same from the Sounders this year. Heber seems to be brought in from NYCFC for depth, which will come in handy when the almost 33 year old Ruidiaz inevitably picks up a knock(s). Rumors are Arreaga is on his way out, which means youngster Jackson Ragan will slot in beside Yeimar (insert BPs). With veteran midfield rock Joao Paolo returning to health, Lodiero, Morris and Roldan may see a rise in goal contributions.

• Nicolas Lodeiro– Listen, Nico is almost 34 and has not had the healthiest (or productive) past few seasons. His freekicks and corners are inconsistent at best, making him much less of a fantasy powerhouse than he once was. That said, he’s still the playmaker on a team of offensive talent and has only ever missed 1 penalty in his entire MLS career. He should be a consideration most weeks.
• Nouhou/Alex Roldan– These two are not the same player by any means, but they fill the same role in the Sounders’ system: fly up the wing, track back on defense. Both contributed assists and bonus points on a regular basis last season. The offseason was heavy on rumors of a return to a 5 backline, which saw an insane amount of points produced by both players when used in past seasons. However, if the lineup in the Club World Cup showed anything it’s that these two look likely to stay on the wings this season.
• Jordan Morris– Two ACL tears has given Morris a lot to overcome in his young career. After appearing at his first World Cup last winter, Morris has a lot to play for this season. Not to mention, a lot to prove after both he and Cristian Roldan signed 5 year contract extensions in the offseason. Morris’ speed and first touch still make him a threat, but last season his goals were a shadow of former seasons. This could be a bounce back year for the winger.

 

Vancouver Whitecaps

2022 Takeaways

Gauld, Gressel, Veselinovic and Blackmon. Honestly, that’s all there is to mention about last season. Three of those players are defenders and Gauld was hot and cold, landing him outside of the top 15 midfielders of last season. 

 

2023 Fantasy Take

Lots of faces gone and a few new faces in. This is a team with more questions than certainties at the moment. Their Christmas Tree formation (4-3-2-1) makes defensive players like Gressel appealing for offensive potential. Gauld is probably still a good option this year, but who is playing around him makes for some hesitation.

• Julian Gressel– Fresh of  f his first USMNT call-up in January Camp, Gressel is one of the only clear fantasy names to target on this roster. If he’s listed as a defender still, his floor should be high. However, shutouts seem rare with an unproven backline and new signing of a GK likely to beat out Hasal.
• Ryan Gauld– 5.78 ppg last season is no small accomplishment, but the ceiling of Gauld is high. With better players around him, he could be producing a lot more. Gauld was feast or famine last year with goal contributions and bonus points one round, then posting a 2 or 3 the next. A lot depends on the quality he has around him. Poor guy can’t do it all by himself.