MLS Fantasy Round 5 Top Picks

With the new set of Major League Soccer fixtures approaching we take a look at the MLS Fantasy Round 5 top picks. X is full of some of the best fantasy managers in the world. Because of that we bring in expert @dmpwright to reel off some of the best options for the big round ahead.

Looking at the MLS Fantasy Round 5 top picks can be extremely useful to managers. Focusing on some of the best assets for the new week could help with some of the most important decisions in the game like transfers and captaincy.

Round 5

So, did anyone score any points in Round 4…? Thought not! Hopefully this lot get the job done in Round 5, which will likely be heavily affected by international callups.

Top targets – Sergi Palencia, LAFC – Defender, $5.0m

Defensive picks look tricky this week with several teams missing key players due to international duty. One man set to profit from that looks to be LAFC defender Sergi Palencia. With Omar Campos called up by Mexico, Palencia – who is only owned by 0.11% of managers at the time of writing – should be a shoo-in at fullback. At $5.0m, he also represents one of the best value defensive options going into Round 5.

Luciano Acosta, FC Cincinnati – Midfielder, $10.9m

One of the hardest parts of navigating the new MLS Fantasy scoring system has been trying to identify midfielders with reliable bonus point potential. Lucho Acosta looks to be one such player. Despite only playing 45 minutes against the hapless New England Revolution, the reigning MLS MVP still managed a goal, an assist and nine key passes for a total of 10 Fantasy points. This brought his season average up to 8.25 points/game. I expect Acosta to put up similar numbers against NYCFC, who are struggling for performance under manager Nick Cushing.

Evander, Portland Timbers – Midfielder, $9.0m

Talking of bonus point potential, Evander has quietly (?) gone under the radar so far this season. The Brazilian looked disinterested for most of his debut MLS campaign but has looked sharp at the start of the 2024 season. So far he has recorded one goal and seven bonus points in his two appearances to date. Portland also face Philadelphia at home in Round 5. They are missing no fewer than eight players to international duty (including Andre Blake, José Martínez and Dániel Gazdag). So, I’m expecting Evander to see plenty of the ball – and the goal.

Cucho Hernández, Columbus Crew – Forward, $11.0m

Like Acosta, Cucho Hernández is rapidly approaching season-keeper status in my eyes. The Colombian forward punished the naysayers who sold him after his comparatively paltry 6‑point return at home to Chicago in Round 3, returning a goal and an assist against the New York Red Bulls in Round 4. Expect similar production from Cucho and Columbus Crew when they visit Charlotte this weekend.

Differential – Ryan Raposo, Vancouver Whitecaps – Defender, $6.6m

Ryan Raposo is my boom-or-bust, left-field pick for Round 5 – quite literally, as he plays at left wingback for Vancouver. I’m not yet sure what to make of the 2024 Whitecap. They flattered to deceive in their home opener against Charlotte, but promptly dispatched San Jose and FC Dallas in Rounds 3 and 4, respectively.

I’m not expecting Raposo to keep a clean sheet if he starts against RSL, who have looked solid so far this season. However, he has plenty of licence to get forward in Vanni Sartini’s system and has already registered a goal and an assist in his two starts.