ShePlays NWSL Fantasy: Third Draft Team

Quick post, because I learned some things today that got me looking like my friend above. Abovine? 

Anyway.

First, we learned Bia Zaneratto is not yet recovered from her foot injury. Sure is nice to know these sorts of things, isn't it? This is a problem because, after yesterday's draft update post, I made some changes to accommodate moving from Kundananji to Bia. Something about that home matchup against Portland was too tempting. So what to do?

That brings us to the other (not news, per se) knowledge that gained. Did you know that Marta is classified as a midfielder this season? I distinctly remember that she was a forward last season. Maybe I'm wrong about that. However, that does add a new plethora of premium mids this season. Not to mention that Orlando opens the season at home, against Chicago. Maybe not as interesting as home to Portland, but let's see if we can get Marta in the fantasy team.

How did we do it?

• As much as I want to have Claudia Zonorza (more of that tinker between drafts; call them minor versions), I stuck with Ally Sentnor as my Utah mid for the savings. I'm going to keep working on that move anyway.
• I replaced my third forward -- previously Kundananji, recently Bia -- with Gabi Portilho. I have high hopes for her. I think she could reasonably match Yazmeen Ryan's 2024 haul and we're talking about a top 15-20 fantasy player at a value price.

Those two moves -- ok, one move, one not move -- left me with the $200,000 to move from Leicy Santos to Marta. I love Santos as a player, and as a fantasy option. I may pick her over either of the Utah mids (points too spread around there, while Santos will be a hub for the Spirit; also the Spirit are the better team 🤔). But I do have doubts about how high-scoring the Spirit will be. Especially without Sarr or Rodman, et al, at the beginning of the season.

Ok, that's it for now. I just wanted to make sure you all knew (and you probably already did) what I learned.