Here we go – the opening weekend of the MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022 season. All 28 teams (including newcomers Charlotte FC) play once this week with some difficult-to-call matchups and remember that four teams (CF Montreal, Colorado Rapids, NYCFC and Seattle Sounders) have been involved in midweek Champions League fixtures.

A warm welcome to new and experienced managers alike and good luck for the season ahead.

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Brad Stuver (Austin FC) Maarten Paes/Jimmy Maurer (FC Dallas) Nick Marsman/Clement Diop (Inter Miami)

With limited funds it makes sense to go with cheaper keepers, Austin and Miami have seemingly favourable home fixtures against FC Cincinnati and Chicago Fire.

Both FC Dallas keepers are just $5.5m – Maurer has the better shot stopping potential with Paes reportedly brought in for his distribution ability.

Possible: Eloy Room (Columbus Crew) Steve Clark (Houston Dynamo)

With the recommended keepers all playing at the same time, Room and Clark are decent options for the keeperoo.

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) Julian Gressell (DC United) Andrew Gutman (Atlanta United)

With 3 goals, 7 assists and 13 clean sheets, Wagner was the fifth highest scoring fantasy player in 2021. If your budget allows it then he’s an obvious choice.

Gressell is expensive at $8.5m but, despite being classified as a defender for 2022, he could well play further upfield. He has huge fantasy potential this year.

Possible: Brad Smith/Andy Najar (DC United) Zac McGraw (Portland Timbers) Ruan (Orlando City)

Last season at Seattle Sounders, Smith ran up 56 points in his first five starts. Anything close to that level of performance in the opening weeks would make him a huge asset at $6.0m, particularly to anyone focusing on budget building.

Najar is another defender with attacking potential for anyone interested in double DC United defence while McGraw is a $4.0m player who could his match.

Midfield

Essential: None

Recommended: Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew) Paul Arriola (FC Dallas) Sebastian Driussi/Diego Fagundez (Austin FC) Facundo Torres (Orlando City)

Zelarayan is a reasonably priced $9.0m and has assist potential as well as being a free-kick threat.

FC Dallas have an impressive range of attacking options with Arriola arguably the pick of the bunch at $8.5m.

Although has production tailed off towards the end of 2021, Driussi made an impressive start to life in MLS and, for fantasy purposes, is now a midfielder rather than a striker.

Possible: Chofis (San Jose Earthquakes) Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union) Joao Paulo (Seattle Sounders)

Chofis is inconsistent but can reach double figures while JP may be the safest Sounders option until we see how Albert Rusnak settles in.

Forwards

Essential: N/A

Recommended: Cristian Arango/Carlos Vela (LAFC) Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas) Gonzalo Higuain (Inter Miami)

If Arango and Vela click then it may result in a weekly challenge to decide on one or the other, or both. Confirmation of the LAFC penalty taker will help.

Ferreira is another FC Dallas possibility while Higuain has a decent home fixture.

Possible: Jeremy Ebobisse (San Jose Earthquakes) Ercan Kara (Orlando City) Chicharito (LA Galaxy)

Captain

1. Gressel (DC United)
2. Zelarayan (Columbus)
3. Arango/Vela (LAFC)