Gameweek one of the MLS season is fast approaching. Now that the game is live, fantasy managers are planning their teams and hoping they are at the start of a successful season.

Ahead of the big kick-off, here are some fantasy related questions for managers to consider.

Columbus Attack – Time to Double Up?

Last year, Columbus Crew weren’t short of attacking options. Gyasi Zardes is always a threat, Pedro Santos was consistently impressive and while injury hampered Lucas Zelarayan’s season, he came good (very good) in the MLS Cup final.

The close season additions of Kevin Molino and Bradley Wright-Phillips mean that the Crew are now stronger in forward positions than in their championship season. So, for some favourable fixtures, will one Columbus attacker not be enough?

Lewis Morgan: One Season Wonder?

While Inter Miami’s debut season was not what they had hoped for, the form of Lewis Morgan was one of their few highlights. He finished 2020 on 149 fantasy points, the joint highest score in the game.

Time will tell whether he can achieve similar success this year. He has the talent but with a new manager, new additions to the squad, a longer season and competition for points from the Higuain brothers and Rodolfo Pizzaro amongst others, it may not be straightforward.

The Clean Sheet Kings?

During the shortened 2020 MLS season, four teams (Columbus, Nashville, Philadephia and Toronto) finished top of the clean sheet pile, managing nine each.

Will one of those four achieve the must shut outs again? Or will one of the LA teams improve on last season’s poor defensive displays? Or will Gabriel Heinze make Atlanta United players essential for defensive coverage?

Must Have Young Player?

The arrival of Brenner at FC Cincinnati has already attracted plenty of coverage and he appears to be a solid fantasy option. But there are a number of other young players who proved their worth in MLS last season and could provide regular returns.

Ayo Akinola (Toronto FC) and Caden Clark (New York Red Bulls) were amongst the goals last season and any managers who selected Anthony Fontana (Philadelphia Union) will know who useful he was as a bargain option from the bench.

Is this Valeri’s Swansong?

Diego Valeri is one of the all-time greats in MLS but, as El Maestro approaches his 35^th birthday, his best days are surely behind him.

Sebastian Blanco’s injury meant that Valeri continued to be Portland’s main playmaker throughout last season. But, with Blanco’s imminent return and the emergence of Yimmy Chara, will 2021 finally be the year when Valeri becomes less relevant in fantasy terms.

Does the Absence of Jordan Morris Harm Lodeiro?

Nicolas Lodeiro has been one of the big hitters in MLS Fantasy in recent years but what impact will the absence of Jordan Morris have on the Seattle Sounders midfielder?

Will this make life easier for managers who want to double up on Seattle attackers? With no Morris, selecting Raul Ruidiaz could, in theory, be an easier decision. Or, without the pace and movement of Morris, could Lodeiro’s points potential suffer?

Will any Returning Stars Shine?

Victor Vazquez and Lucho Acosta previously had successful spells in MLS with Toronto FC and DC United respectively. After playing abroad, both are back – Vazquez at LA Galaxy and Acosta at FC Cincinnati.

Will one or both produce returns similar to those first time around? Vazquez is now 34 years old and may not be an automatic starter. Acosta, on the other hand, is still only 26 and may have his best years ahead of him.

Do Austin FC have Fantasy Potential?

The league’s newest side have an interesting mix of familiar MLS faces and exciting new talent – but who, if anyone, will be a consistent fantasy scorer?

Cecilio Dominguez and Tomas Pochettino have attacking potential, but could they be upstaged by Alexander Ring? The Finnish midfielder was a solid performer during four years with New York City FC and could pick up bonus points playing further back than his highly rated colleagues.