With the 3rd round of the MLS all over and with fantasy soccer results all tallied up, now’s a good time to make the first serious assessment of your team and plans. We’ve already been treated by strong performances from some of the league’s stars and we’ve had some surprises as well.
Here are the Eastern Conference teams that have impressed me, and the ones that, for now, have been a disappointment.
3rd Round Eastern Conference Fantasy Soccer Results
Hugo Cuypers (Chicago Fire) – 23 points
I promised a Chicago Fire team that’s really looking to build something this season. But it’s taken us all the way to Round 3 for some of that to become apparent.
While most of his colleagues played a bang average game against FC Dallas, Hugo Cuypers was inspired throughout. The hard work paid off with the Belgian player bagging an assist and scoring from the penalty spot for his hard work.
Jovan Lukic (Philadelphia Union) – 30.5 points
If there’s one team that’s been living up to the original hype, it’s Philadelphia Union. The team has won all of its first three games, each time doing it comfortably.
Lukic, in particular, shone in the 2-0 victory over New England Revolution. The 23-year-old Serbian was aggressive out of possession and inspired when on the ball. Both Phily and Lukic are going places and are worth considering for your draft.
Carlos Coronel (New York Red Bulls) – 37.5 points
I heaped a lot of praise on Coronel in the buildup to the 2025 MLS season. But early performances made both of us look bad.
Luckily, Coronel was back to fine for Round 3. And it couldn’t have come at a more critical time. His safe pair of hands saved NY Red Bulls embarrassment against Atalanta who, frankly, look in better shape.
Red Bulls look to be back in their lane. And, yes, I can once again claim that Crononel is a strong pick for your fantasy soccer draft.
Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) – 28.5 points
I’m, once again, very impressed with Kai Wagner’s commanding presence. The stats more than back up my original assessment of the defender.
Yes, Philadelphia Union is beginning to show itself as one of the top teams in the MLS in 2025. But Wagner is just solidifying a great legacy, one that’s seen him be one of the best defenders in North America in recent years. He’s a great choice for your fantasy soccer team for the immediate future!
Andy Najar (Nashville SC) – 28 points
Najar has been Nashville’s top player throughout these opening stages of the season. Fast, versatile and, as the game against Portland proved, capable of scoring the odd goal, Najar is one of the league’s best full-backs.
With a team that also includes the likes of Zimmerman and Mukhtar, expect Nashville to pull off more surprises as the season goes on.
Biggest Disappointments of Round 3
Kwadwo Opoku (CF Montreal)
Opoku’s transfer from Los Angeles to Montreal was supposed to give the Canadian side a real jolt of energy. Instead, the team has lost all three games this season. The striker was particularly disappointing as Monreal came unstuck in the 2-0 loss to Vancouver.
Ilay Feingold (New England Revolution)
Yes, it’s easy to pick on Feingold who scored an own goal in the defeat to Philadelphia. But, the truth of the matter is that Revolution’s entire squad has been woeful in this opening stage of the season. There’s little from this, otherwise highly-touted team, to make me want to encourage you to pick any of these players for your fantasy soccer draft.
