MLS Fantasy Round 2

Hey fellow managers! How did your team perform during opening weekend?

Lineups are due tomorrow, so let's get started.

How to make money: If you want to increase your salary cap quickly, one efficient technique is to anticipate price changes ahead and time and adjust your lineup accordingly.

On the MLS Fantasy website, check the Transfers In (Round) stats filter often, especially during gamedays. If someone has a breakout performance, you can expect their value to rise during the week, sometimes as early as the next day.

No one knows the exact formula (Ben Jata at one point tweeted the ambiguity is by design), but once over 400 managers have transferred in a player, the odds are good their price is set to increase in the morning, usually at 3:00 a.m. PST.

Again, make sure to read the rules, because injuries, call-ups and other exceptions affect the formula. And be careful who you pick up. Some players may not be a good fit, even coming off a successful week.

Which brings us to Will Bruin ($8.2). At first glance, the Dynamo forward appears to be a must buy. With two goals and an assist, Bruin is the top points earner in round 1, playing this week at home against a defensively challenged Montreal side. And if you already have him in your lineup, keep him.

But I'm not sure he's a good long-term fit. Even if he manages to produce against Montreal, Bruin has a bye the following week, and three of Houston's next four games are on the road, so tread carefully.

The Whitecaps are for real: Porterball was a success last year, and it looks like Roboball is off to a blazing start.

Ok, so the Whitecaps may have steamrolled a uninspiring Red Bulls side missing Thierry Henry and Jamison Olave. Vancouver had far too much time and space on the ball, and a few of the goals were ridiculously easy. That being said, the Caps were merciless in attack. Pedro Morales ($8.5) had a surreal debut, scoring one and assisting on another in a 26 minute cameo. During his time on the field, the attacking midfielder's first touch and vision were brilliant. Effortlessly distributing the ball around the field with precision and purpose, the playmaker resembles a smaller, quicker Javier Morales.

Sebastian Fernandez ($7.1) also stood out. It's easy to get excited over his Goal of the Week or his other long range bombs, but the Uruguayan was consistently dangerous cutting in from the left and creating havoc.

Vancouver were seriously impressive. In fact, the only reason I'm not recommending more Whitecaps players is because the midfield and front lines are so stacked, it's tough to tell who will receive consistent playing time.

And then there's the Union: Somewhat lost in the hype of Toronto's spending spree and the constant shuffle of exciting off-season news was the rebuilding job in Philadelphia.

It has to be said: For all the talk about TFC this year, right now it's the Union who look like the team that has quietly become a playoff contender overnight. Last week they went into Portland and took it to the Timbers, and were about a minute away from taking three points from probably the toughest venue in the league.

Chrstian Madiana ($7.5) is a quality find and looked dangerous in attack, while Vincent Nogueira ($8.5) was all over the field, helping to retain possession and spraying passes forward. (Think Jose Francisco Torres) In fact, as Matt Doyle and Dan Haiek point out, Nogueira completed 55 successful passes! Maurice Edu ($9.0) was effective in a box to box role, holding his own against Will Johnson and Diego Chara. It might just be one game, but so far, the rebuilt midfield looks like money well spent.

The Union play two of their next three at home, and have a DGW (Double game week) during round 7, so it wouldn't hurt to pick up a Philly player or two.

Pick of the week: Pedro Morales ($8.5) With Carl Robinson confirming Morales will start at Chivas USA this weekend, the Chilean DP is a must buy.

Strategery pick of the week: Christian Madiana ($7.5) Owned by just 1.8% of managers, the inverted striker is poised to score points for the Union in their home opener.

Good luck everyone!

Team name: ACB Industries

2013 final rank: 23rd overall

Current rank: 2,226