Start ’Em: Jared Bernhardt, M, Denver Outlaws (23 coins)
Yes, they really did it. The Fantasy app has him listed at midfield. That’s fantasy theft.
Last week, Bernhardt made Brendan Lavelle, Graeme Hossack and Mason Woodward look mortal. That’s no small feat.
He was a storm sealed in silence, a dormant force cloaked in human form, as he remembered how to score again. Now unchained, he moves like prophecy—initiating from X, slicing from wings, slipping through space off-ball. He is everywhere—but nowhere that the defense expects.
Denver isn’t using him in a position. It’s using him as a weapon. That weapon is syncing perfectly with the rest of the arsenal. Pat Kavanagh is playing with confidence, Brennan O’Neill is still Brennan O’Neill, and this offense has gone from scattered to almost fully formed.
At just 23 coins, I’m expecting Bernhardt to be in every single person’s lineup this week.
The California Redwoods’ defense has talent — but no real counter. Arden Cohen is their top cover guy, but he’s probably drawing another matchup. Chris Conlin — let’s be real, he’s going to want the matchup with his former Notre Dame teammate, Kavanagh. And Chris Fake lacks the foot speed to hold up in space.
Bernhardt was the pride of College Park. Now he is the Outlaw.
Start ‘em. I really just like this guy.
Sit ’Em: Matt Campbell, M, Boston Cannons (31 coins)
If Campbell gets room, it’s clips. The Carolina Chaos know that, and they’ll act accordingly.
Coming off a 32-point week, which is elite for a midfielder, you’d think he’s a must-start, especially against a struggling Chaos team. But this week? I absolutely hate his matchup.
I think the Chaos are best off putting Jack Rowlett on him — and if that’s the case, good luck. Rowlett consistently draws the opposition’s top offensive threat, and right now, that’s Campbell.
Expect a familiar chain reaction: Chaos bump Troy Reh from LSM down to close defense to cover off-ball shooters with a quick trigger — guys like Marcus Holman. They’ve done it before against Xander Dickson, and they’ll likely do it again. That adjustment frees up Rowlett to match up with a midfielder like Campbell.
Week 1: Jeff Teat, one goal on 48 touches. Last week: TJ Malone, one goal. Rowlett didn’t just shadow them — he bullied them. Over-the-heads, heavy slaps on goal line extended, hip-to-hip the entire time. He takes every matchup personally. Keep in mind that they are both lefties, same as Campbell.
And if you think Campbell can just overpower him, think back to Rowlett’s matchups with Zed Williams. The guy matches feet and loves contact.
At 31 coins, he’s the third-most expensive midfielder on the slate. This week, that feels like a trap.
Sit ‘em. Let Rowlett ruin someone else’s lineup.
