Week 9 of the MLS season starting tonight is a curious case of a true split between Kickbase and Sofascore. On Kickbase, the matches on 4/22 and 4/25 both count towards a player's scores in Week 9. However, on Sofascore, Week 9 is split into two gameweeks, Gameweek 9 and Gameweek 10. So, the teams that are not playing midweek are treated as having a bye coming up, then are on equal ground with other teams this weekend.
I will do my best to bridge that gap in this article as I am not planning on writing two separate ones this week. I will thus be focused primarily on double-week players but will identify teams with good matchups on the weekend.
Week 9 Quick Rankings
Goalkeepers
Daniel, Gavran, Kahlina, Freese, Schulte, St. Clair
Defenders
Lareya/Zimmerman, Munie, Gray, Arfsten, Toffolo, Micael
Midfielders
Tsakiris, Biel, Luna/Gozo, De Paul, Evander, Pererya/Chancalay (M/F), Coello
Forwards
Messi, Guilherme (M/F), Musa, Dreyer, Nico Fernandez (M/F), Solans, Rossi, Yeboah, Zaha, Berterame
Week 9 schedule
Midweek "byes": Chicago, Montreal, Nashville, Portland, Seattle, Kansas City, St. Louis, Vancouver
Double home: Toronto, Columbus
Double away: Charlotte, Philadelphia, Colorado, New England
Wednesday home: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, LAFC, NYCFC, Orlando, RBNY, RSL, San Jose
Saturday home: Austin, Chicago, Cincinnati, DC, Galaxy, Miami, Minnesota, Montreal, Nashville, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis, Vancouver
Another thing to note is that Nashville and LAFC have CCC action next week (Tue/Wed respectively), plus a lot of teams are into the Round of 16 in the Open Cup. Those games are: CLT v. ATL and SJ v. MIN on Tuesday; RBNY v. NYC, NE v. ORL, CLB v. Knoxville, CHI v. STL, HOU v. Louisville, and COL v. Colorado Springs. There may be some rotation this weekend from these teams, especially those traveling and on full DGWs, so be cautious.
Teams I like twice
Toronto has double home games, against Philadelphia and Atlanta. They have been giving up stupid goals recently but I still think their defense is worth taking this week, especially as Zimmerman is off the injury report. I am not so confident in their offense, but two home games can prop up a struggling offense.
NYCFC plays Cincinnati at home and then Montreal away. That's about as friendly a schedule as you will see this week. They were jumped by Charlotte over the weekend, but neither of these teams are Charlotte.
San Jose faces Austin at home and then is at St. Louis. They are extremely hot after bulldozing LAFC on their turf and get some soft opponents coming right up. And if Werner really starts clicking, like he did against LAFC, this team could be scary.
RSL hosts Messi of Miami on Wednesday, then is at the Galaxy on Sunday (the lone Sunday game). Miami has been strong this year but their defense has been leaky, and RSL has the skill to beat anyone. And we saw what superior teams can do to the Galaxy with them getting romped at home against Toluca.
And I guess honorable mention to Columbus, just because they have two home games. That can be good enough for 6 points for anyone, but I don't like how Columbus has been playing lately. This week is the Galaxy and Philadelphia.
Teams I like Wednesday
LAFC play a home game against Colorado. The Rapids are proving to be a good unit this year, but I do think LAFC is still a cut above and will be needing points now at home with more CCC congestion coming up. You might get into trouble with them on the weekend with rotation against Minnesota, but it is up in the air. They have rotated the least of all the CCC teams but did put out a complete B-squad against Portland a couple of weeks ago.
Houston is up against San Diego tonight, who seem like they have completely fallen apart since getting steamrolled away to Toluca. I do think SD getting Duah and McVey back together and probably without more red cards will help, but they are missing whatever had them as one of the top tier teams going into the season. Houston might find joy on Saturday at Austin in the attack, but I am less confident in them since they have three wins and four losses and are significantly overperforming on their expected goals against. And two of those wins were against Portland at home and Orlando on the road.
RBNY have a home match tonight against DC, a good chance for a reeling defense to right itself. DC have zero goals in their last four matches but have ground out a pair of 0-0 draws on the road in that span. Red Bull defenders should have a better time in this one, though they have made Montreal look like all-stars in their two matchups. Red Bulls travel to Cincy on the weekend, the source of their last win, a 4-2 match in which the Red Bulls got a little lucky.
Teams I like Saturday
If you can hold them on Sofascore, Chicago might have a great time at home against SKC. Both teams will be rested, but SKC is potentially the worst team in league history, lacking talent across the field and ideas in the coaching ranks.
Miami have a tough job at RSL, but come home to New England after their trip. Unfortunately, lineups will lock before we know if Messi is starting against RSL, but we at least know he made the trip. Even like 1.25 games from Messi is likely worthwhile, and I'd be happy to put Miami's players up against New England on Saturday at this point. The Revs are in 5th in the East but are vastly outpacing their xG and I think will settle in as a borderline playoff club, as their points are from wins over Cincinnati, Montreal, DC, and Columbus – all at home.
San Diego gets Portland at home on Saturday. After starting the year with three straight shutouts, they've allowed multiple goals in every game since, with red cards and absences because of red cards a big factor. However, their schedule has been tough, getting a home and away against RSL in that span and playing San Jose on the road in addition to Toluca in CCC. Minnesota and Dallas round out the group and they are no slouches either. Playing away at Houston is tough but winnable, while playing Portland at home is a game San Diego should be expected to win. Portland's underlying numbers are very bad (like, Orlando-level bad) and their road trips have been big disappointments. I believe this will be a game where San Diego's midfield dominance really shines over Portland's disorganization.
Thoughts and Players
Defenses
Toronto - As noted above, they have two home games and both are pretty decent matchups this week. Lareya has been showing some strong attacking involvement lately, though if Zimmerman is at full speed he can rack up the bonus points.
San Jose - One of the best defenses in the league. Pick Munie, though Roberts and Kikanovic are viable. They held LAFC to a goal on the road while in cruise control, with the lone goal an unfortunate own goal deflection, and have only allowed a goal to Seattle in the rest of their games. Oh wait, hmm, I see they allowed a goal to SKC? That can't be right.
NYCFC - Home to Cincinnati and then the meat is the road match at Montreal (who have zero points against non-NYRB teams). Think your best bet here is Gray for the attacking returns, as I would not be surprised if NYCFC can't quite keep a clean sheet in either match here.
Columbus - I don't trust Columbus, but they have two home games, so there's something to be said for that. Plus, the Galaxy will be missing both Klauss and Thommy, two big downgrades for the offense. Also, Arfsten (D/M) (KB) is a great attacker and can score plenty of points that way for your squad, with Zawadski (Sofa) the alternate choice.
Charlotte - They have double road games but they're against Orlando and then a potentially rotated (and injured) Nashville side on the weekend. This might be a good time to try and take advantage. The prime selection here is Toffolo.
Miami - I think they'll do poorly against RSL, but I would not be at all surprised to see a great result back home against New England. The Revs will be on their second road game of the week and have Open Cup to consider. The right guy here is Micael.
Saturday Only:
Seattle - With rotation out of the way, I think Ragen is a lock. Dallas has a great offense and I believe Musa scored a brace last time he was in Seattle, but I think Seattle's defense will be locked in for this one.
Chicago - Hosting SKC is a treat. Previously I had been lauding Gutman's attacking prowess but I'm not sure where it went. He could have a major game here, but I like going for Mbokazi for the defensive actions.
Midfielders
Guilherme (M/F) - An every-week player whose involvement across the pitch gives him one of the highest floors in the game.
Tsakiris - Though he just had one assist against LAFC (and a somewhat ordinary one at that), he was often times the best player on the pitch. Decent matchups this week to showcase his skill.
Biel - At Orlando is a great way to start the week, then at Nashville, who are potentially rotating in preparation for their historic CCC run, could be an opportunity.
Nico Fernandez (M/F) - A stoppage-time goal against Charlotte last week to make the scoreline respectable, he was once again the best player for NYCFC and they seem to live or die by whether he gets support. This week's matchups are a peach.
Gozo/Luna - This is a pair of stars that RSL has at their disposal. Both are good options this week against Miami and then at the Galaxy.
Pererya/Chancalay (M/F) - This Minnesota pair has been turning in some strong performances recently. This week they have a tough road game against Dallas, but Minnesota have won three straight with two road wins and then get LAFC with what will likely be a heavily rotated side.
De Paul - He's what passes for Miami's midfield engine these days. He is no Busquets, that's for sure, but he has been churning out the points in fantasy in recent matches.
Evander - Showing signs he may be getting back to himself after his injury struggles earlier in the year. Had a goal and 7 key passes against Chicago. He's had at least one KP bonus on Sofascore in each of his last five matches. He is due for a hot run of form.
Coello - He took some time to get integrated with Toronto but now is one of their most important midfielders. He has not passed the eye test when I've watched him, but his constant involvement is undeniable and has translated into decent fantasy scores recently. You could do much worse.
Saturday Only:
Berhalter/Müller - Self-explanatory. The rout of SKC was a Müller day, but I think Berhalter is the play against Colorado on the weekend. The Rapids play faster and more physical than most teams, which has been something Müller has struggled with at times since joining Vancouver. Berhalter will be up for it, and is a consideration for Kickbase, where he scores very highly even though he'll just have one match.
Rusnak - He had two goals against Tigres then two assists and St. Louis. I expect him to continue his strong run of form against Dallas. Roldan was the star of the St. Louis game but you have never been able to count on regular goal contributions from him, so don't start now.
Forwards
Messi - Even though he may not start at RSL, he's still easily worth taking.
Musa - Playing home to Minnesota and at Seattle will be tough, but he's been one of the best strikers by far this year and they can overcome bad matchups easily.
Solans - This rookie out of the draft has been one of the best strikers this year, finding the soft spots to attack and getting the kind of goals some strikers can only dream about. He is not overwhelming physically and does not have the same slick skills some others have, but his sense of space and timing has meshed perfectly with RSL's high octane attack. He's scored in three straight, with 2G and 1A against San Diego last week. He's still young so I expect him to regress to mean, but he's got some great opportunities ahead of him to lead RSL's attack.
Dreyer - Adding him back to this section, as I expect him to return to a staple going forward. Great matchups this DGW and I think San Diego will be able to put the CCC mess behind them.
Rossi - Again, I don't trust Columbus, but he's their talent and gets two home games to showcase it.
Yeboah - As I like Minnesota's midfielders, Yeboah has been putting in the work up front and is looking more and more like the DP he's paid to be.
Zaha - Speaking of which, Zaha is doing his best to put on a strong impression before his contract expires in a few weeks. Getting a road game to Orlando and then a showcase against Nashville could earn him a great new landing spot.
Berterame - Finally scoring, the sky's the limit for him once he figures out how to consistently play with Miami. He's no slouch, he had 27 goals with Monterrey last year and 19 the year before that. His 2025 included goals in CCC (2), the Clausura (10), Club World Cup (3), Leagues Cup (1), and the Apertura (11). I expect him to eventually sail well past double-digit goals for Miami.
Saturday Only:
Cuypers - Chicago gets SKC and, as has been said, SKC is not a good team. Cuypers is a good striker. Zinckernagel has re-emerged lately, but I think a healthy Cuypers is a better option for the time being.
Captain Considerations
Messi - The obvious choice for the obvious reasons. You might be missing some minutes, but basically everyone is a risk at this point.
Guilherme - Great form, great overall scores on the year, reasonable matchups.
Nico Fernandez - I could see NYCFC easily running up the score on both Cincinnati and Montreal.
Dreyer - Getting back to old habits, Dreyer has some decent matchups and his firepower will be needed if SD's defense is still on the fritz. Plus, Portland on the weekend is a juicy matchup.
Finest Fifteen (DGW)
Since you need to know your DGW lineups today for Kickbase (primarily), that's my focus here. Sofascore lineups really depend on who you have, what your budget is, and who you're willing to keep for multiple weeks. Plus, you'll get to adjust for the weekend as it is a new gameweek. So hopefully you don't mind my focus on KB's DGW and scoring rules.
Messi - Dreyer - Nico Fernandez - Guilherme
Tsakiris - Biel - Luna - De Paul - Evander
Lareya/Zimmerman - Munie - Gray - Arfsten
Daniel - Kahlina
