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MLS Fantasy Soccer 2020 GW3 (again)

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More than five months after Gameweek 2, MLS Fantasy Soccer is back. Gameweek 3 is an absolute monster with 22 teams facing double fixtures. And it gets even more interesting with the new rules regarding double gameweek players – only their highest score counts.

Will the success stories of MLS is Back carry their form into the regular season? Or will the usual big names be the key to fantasy success?

Goalkeeper

Think About

This gameweek doesn’t look great when it comes to clean sheet potential so gathering bonus points could be vital.

For keeperoo purposes this week, Pedro Gallese (Orlando) and Clint Irwin (Colorado) should be under consideration. And despite their poor showing at MLS is Back, Atlanta’s Brad Guzan has fixtures against both expansion sides.

Quentin Westberg (Toronto) only has one fixture (v Vancouver) but he has already managed a shut-out against the same opposition this week.

Defenders

Strongly Consider

Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah and Milton Valenzuela (all Columbus Crew) have one of the better fixtures this gameweek, at home to Chicago. Consider at least Columbus player.

Orlando, like Atlanta, have games against Inter Miami and Nashville. The Lions run to the MLS is Back final was based on a solid defence so the likes of Joao Moutinho and the cheaper Ruan are good options.

Beware Of

It may be tempting to splash out on LAFC defenders but even if they put a few past LA Galaxy in El Trafico (more about that in a minute), the loss of a goal or two is still possible.

Midfield

Strongly Consider

Nani (Orlando City) is a man in form and Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus) has been a goal and assist threat since the start of the season.

Think About

For many years, the Portland Timbers midfield was all about Diego Valeri. However, it seems that Sebastian Blanco is now the best fantasy option. While Seattle (home) and San Jose (away) aren’t easy fixtures, Blanco has managed three goals and five assists in his past seven games.

Forwards

Must Have

If Carlos Vela (LAFC) makes his return then he has to be in – and probably as captain. If he doesn’t play, Diego Rossi becomes the main man. It’s little more than a month since Rossi hit four in a 6-2 demolition of the Galaxy.

Strongly Consider

Bradley Wright Phillips is a cheap way into the Black and Gold attack. Pairing him with one of the premium strikers could bring big returns.

Think About

Gyasi Zardes (Columbus) didn’t have the best start to 2020 but managed four in four in Florida. Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland) meanwhile, could be a bargain coming off the bench for an autoroo.

MLS Fantasy Soccer All Time XI

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The ongoing absence of professional football has allowed me to look back on four years of playing MLS Fantasy Soccer. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs along the way, with some spectacular successes, some horrible choices and the odd bit of bad luck thrown in.

Everyone has their own favourite players, those reliable performers who we return to time and time again.

I’ve made up an XI featuring some of my heroes from the fantasy game. This line up (3-5-2 formation) may feature some surprise names but it’s based on players who did the business for me, rather than just a list of the highest scoring stars.

Goalkeeper

Brian Rowe (LA Galaxy)

Now at Orlando, in his Galaxy days Rowe often found his way into my team, forming an effective partnership with Daniel Steres.

Defenders

Daniel Steres (LA Galaxy)

See Brian Rowe.

Jimmy Medranda (Sporting Kansas City)

Something of a cult hero. The Colombian wasn’t always a starter but managed to come up with some big returns particularly when playing further forward, despite being listed as a defender.

Axel Sjoberg (Colorado Rapids)

The big Swede made the MLS team of the year in 2016. A bargain in the days before unlimited transfers.

Midfielders

Victor Vazquez (Toronto FC)

Perhaps flew under the radar at times in a team where Morrow, Bradley, Altidore and Giovinco (more about him in a minute) were all fantasy gold.

Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact)

Now back in his native Argentina, Nacho was a ‘must have’ at his peak.

Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers)

While his best days may be behind him, El Maestro has been an outstanding fantasy choice over the years. Goals, assists, penalties and bonus points all part of his game.

Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders)

Another South American midfielder, another points generating machine.

Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas)

Hampered by injuries but, on his day, an outstanding talent and often an essential pick.

Forwards

Cyle Larin (Orlando City)

Picked him in GW1 of my first season and he scored. A solid performer for a couple of years.

Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)

The Carlos Vela of his day. At his best Gio was the best points returner in the game. Even thinking about leaving him out was crazy.

MLS Fantasy Soccer 2020 GW3

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With LAFC and Montreal missing out due to Champions League commitments, gameweek 3 provides the first blanks of the new season.

When selecting a team, managers should also remember that Atlanta United and NYCFC also have midweek ties but are still in MLS action at the weekend.

There may also be availability issues with any players called up to international duty for the Olympic qualifying tournament.

Goalkeeper

Strongly Consider

Quentin Westberg (Toronto) and Eloy Room (Columbus) would make ideal first parts of a keeperoo. They’re at home to Nashville and Real Salt Lakes sides who have one goal each this season.

Pair one of them with one of the New England keepers. Matt Turner missed GW2 with a knee injury so Brad Knighton may get the nod again.

Defenders

Strongly Consider

Man of the moment Jakob Glesnest (Philadelphia) picked up a goal and a defending bonus in his first game of the season at LAFC. He has clean sheet potential against San Jose and hopefully he’s on free-kicks.

Ike Opara (Minnesota) has a goal already and is averaging 10 points per game after two goals and a defending bonus against San Jose. A home game against the Red Bulls provides a clean sheet opportunity.

Think About

Orlando defenders. They kept Real Salt Lake out in GW1 and may do the same again at home to Chicago.

Beware

Atlanta and Sporting KC have both made strong starts to the season. Their could well be goals when they come together.

Midfield

Must Have

Even if he doesn’t score or assist, Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto) racks up the points. He should continue that at home to Nashville.

Strongly Consider

Jan Gregus (Minnesota) is a man in form. A goal and two assists last week, he won’t stay under $10m for long if he continues at that rate.

Think About

Maxi Moralez (NYCFC) is normally a must have. But a slow start to the season and CCL mean he isn’t the automatic selection he normally is.

Avoid

Diego Valeri (Portland) has two goals in two games but his influence is on the wane. Substituted just after the hour last week, the Timbers looked less than convincing at home to Nashville. A trip to New England will be tough.

Forwards

Must Have

Luis Amarilla (Minnesota) has made a spectacular start to the season with two goals and an assist. An easy choice this week.

Strongly Consider

Gustavo Bou (New England) is yet to find the net this season but still has 13 points from two games.

Kacper Przybylko and Sergio Santos (both Philadelphia) will fancy their chances against a San Jose side who conceded five last week.

Beware

Don’t rule out Cristian Pavon and Javier Hernandez (both La Galaxy). But, after a disappointing start to the season, there are possibly better options out there.

MLS Fantasy Soccer 2020 GW2

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The loss of Josef Martinez through injury won’t only be felt by Atlanta United fans. The Venezuelan striker has been a mainstay of many MLS Fantasy Soccer teams over recent years.

Looking to GW2, this week should be high scoring, given the number of strong teams with decent home fixtures.

Goalkeeper

Strongly Consider

At only $5.3m, Matt Turner (New England) is an obvious choice to take the bench as part of a keeperoo. If he doesn’t produce against Chicago, then Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas), Clint Irwin (Colorado), David Bingham (LA Galaxy) and Kenneth Vermeer (LAFC) all have clean sheet potential in later fixtures.

Defenders

Strongly Consider

After a strong performance last week, double FC Dallas coverage at the back isn’t out of the question. Reto Zeigler (8 points last week) may be on penalty duties while Matt Hedges (10), Ryan Hollingshead (9) and Reggie Cannon (9) all made a great start to the season.

Elsewhere, Lalas Abubakar and Keegan Rosenberry (both Colorado) are great options against an Orlando team who failed to find the net at home last week. LAFC, meanwhile, have another home game (v Philadelphia) and Eddie Segura is a solid choice.

Think About

Luis Martins (Sporting KC) came away with 7 points (including an assist) last time despite failing to keep a clean sheet and has a home game against Houston.

Beware

Toronto defenders. They are up against a NYCFC team who lost a player in the opening minutes in GW1. Assuming they keep 11 players on the pitch, Heber, Maxi Moralez and the rest should be more threatening than they were at Columbus.

Midfielders

Strongly Consider

Alejandro Pozeulo (Toronto) is the stand out choice in the middle of the park. Capable of goals, assists, bonus points and scored a penalty last week. His chances of a big week will be strengthened if NYC rotate ahead of CCL fixtures.

Think About

Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas) and Gadi Kinda (Sporting KC) are both under $8.5m, both scored last week and both have home fixtures.

Latif Blessing (LAFC) managed a respectable 7 points last week despite not scoring or providing an assist and Albert Rusnak (Real Salt Lake) is a long-time favourite of fantasy managers. He could be worth a place on the bench.

Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle) – if he’s fit.

Forwards

Must Have

Carlos Vela (LAFC) is joined by Cristian Pavon (LA Galaxy) in the top category this week. They’ll take a significant chunk of your budget but it should be worth it.

Seriously Consider

If you can afford $11.5m for Gustavo Bou (New England), throw him in with Vela and Pavon for a powerful front three. Alternatively, Zdenek Ondrasek (FC Dallas) is another great (and cheaper) option. Tipped here last week, he was amongst the goals and could be again.

Avoid

Despite the pre-season hype, Gyasi Zardes (Columbus) had a poor opening day. Seattle away probably isn’t the place to test whether his disappointing performance was a one off.

MLS Fantasy Soccer 2020 GW1

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It’s back – GW1 of MLS Fantasy Soccer is almost here. Thankfully, the game has returned to the longer, single season format rather than the two shorter half-seasons of the past two years. So there is plenty of time to catch up if the opening few weeks don’t go to plan.

Without wasting any more time, here are some players who should be under consideration for the season opener.

Goalkeeper

Think about

The fixed budget rule means that it should fairly easy for most managers to run a keeperoo from the start. Bill Hamid (DC United) is worth a punt in a tricky first match against Colorado. Stefan Frei (Seattle) and Kenneth Verneer (LAFC) are also worth a look for their matches against Chicago and Inter Miami.

Beware

At $0.5 less than many of the top keepers, Tyler Miller (Minnesota) may prove popular but it’s hard to see the Timbers failing to score at home.

Defence

Strongly Consider

As well as clean sheet potential, Kelvin Leerdam and Joevin Jones (Seattle) could see attacking returns.

Think about

Frederic Brillant and Steve Birnbaum (DC United) form part of a usually strong defence while Eddie Segura (LAFC) and Miles Robinson (Atlanta) are up against brand new opposition.

Reto Ziegler (FC Dallas) offers a goal threat and is a potential penalty taker. And don’t rule out Orlando…for this week, not every week.

Beware: New York Red Bulls aren’t the force of old and FC Cincinatti have a goal threat. Despite Aaron Long’s popularity, give him and his fellow defenders a miss this week.

Avoid: Columbus v NYC and Portland v Minnesota. Potential goal fests.

Midfield

Must Have

Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle)…if he’s fit.

Strongly Consider

The big funds allow for the big hitters. Diego Valeri, Maxi Moralez, Eduard Atuesta, Carles Gil, Alejandro Pozuelo, Saphir Taider, and the rest…take your pick. Seriously.

Think about

Newcomers Edison Flores (DC United) and Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus) should be in your thoughts, particularly coming off the bench.

Forwards

Must Have

Carlos Vela

Strongly Consider

Josef Martinez (Atlanta) is every bit as much as a goal threat as Vela but produces less bonus points. Gyasi Zardes (Columbus) could be in for a big season, as could his team.

Think about

Zdenek Ondrasek (FC Dallas) could prove to be a useful differential against Philadelphia. In a pre-season friendly against the same opposition last week (I know) he managed a double. There’s also Ola Kamara (DC United), one of the most underrated players in the league.

Beware

Cristian Pavon and Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy) will be huge fantasy scorers during the season but this might not be their week.