Gameweek 8 of MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022 throws up a tricky set of fixtures with some big names on the road. Some fantasy favourites may also have seen some gametime in midweek US Open Cup ties and expect Seattle Sounders rotation with the CCL final just days away.

Stats from FBRef

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union) Dayne St Clair (Minnesota United) Sean Johnson (NYCFC)

Blake and the Union have conceded only once in four home games and are up against CF Montreal this week.

Minnesota have had a mixed start to the season, but opponents Chicago have found the net only five times in seven matches.

Possible: Brad Stuver (Austin FC) William Yarbrough (Colorado Rapids) Bobby Shuttleworth (Atlanta United)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union) Nathan (San Jose Earthquakes)

If your budget doesn’t extend to Wagner this week then Harriel is a nice alternative for some Philly cover.

Nathan was back against Nashville last week and was at his bonus-point-winning best. Despite conceding twice he still managed to come away with 8 points.

Possible: Marco Farfan (FC Dallas) Bakaye Dibassy (Minnesota United) Ruben Gabrielson (Austin FC) Lucas Estevez (Colorado Rapids) Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United)

Midfield

Essential: None

Recommended: Jan Gregus (San Jose Earthquakes) Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew)

Gregus is averaging over 7 points per game for the season and has fantasy scores of 8, 8, and 9 from his last three as he racks up the bonus points.

Zelarayan has had mixed results on the road this year but remains the highest scoring player in the game and a trip to SKC should provide a better return than games at Philadelphia and the Red Bulls. The only slight concern is an ongoing knee issue.

Possible: Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union) Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC) Diego Fagundez (Austin FC) Jack Price (Colorado Rapids) Yimmi Chara (Portland Timbers) Santiago Rodriguez (NYCFC)

Driussi will be a popular choice against the Whitecaps who have lost four straight away games. But his bonus point production is questionable, so he needs goals to justify his high price.

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas) Diego Rubio (Colorado Rapids) Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC)

His five goals for the season have been scored in home games against the Timbers and the Rapids. This week Ferreira faces Houston Dynamo and could be ready for another big week. He’s also a decent bench play.

Rubio has the highest npxG+xA per 90 minutes in the league (0.98) and faces Charlotte who haven’t got going on the road yet.

It might feel like point chasing after his four goals last week, but Taty is a solid choice. NYCFC have scored 10 times at home (xG 8.3) and Toronto are the visitors this week.

Possible: Julian Carranza (Philadelphia Union) Ola Kamara (DC United) Jeremy Ebobisse (San Jose Earthquakes) Cristian Arango (LAFC)

Captain

1. Zelarayan
2. Castellanos
3. Gregus

Everyone is involved in Gameweek 7 of the 2022 MLS Fantasy Soccer Season. All 28 teams play once, including NYCFC and Seattle Sounders who will be in action just days after facing off in the 2^nd leg of their Concacaf Champions League semi-final.

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Sebastian Breza (CF Montreal) Brad Knighton (New England Revolution) Maxime Crepeau (LAFC)

Montreal (Breza included) are something of an unknown quantity at home, having played five of their six games on the road. But they play in the first match of the week against Vancouver, who have scored twice in three away games (xG 2.7).

Knighton is just $5.1m although that is partly down to how poor New England have been so far. But he’s cheap and their opposition (Charlotte FC) have scored once away from home.

If the first part of the keeperoo doesn’t hit Crepeau could come to the rescue in the last fixture. LAFC’s opponents so far have had a combined npxG of just 4.7, the second lowest in the league.

Possible: Eloy Room (Columbus Crew) Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire) Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Rudy Camacho (CF Montreal) Alistair Johnston (CF Montreal) Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United) Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC)

Camacho and Johnston are ideal cheap early bench options. Camacho scored and Johnston managed an assist at the Red Bulls last week.

Despite a disappointing 2 points at Charlotte, Lennon is worth another look this week. If he plays in an advanced role, he has attacking points potential in addition to a decent shot at a clean sheet.

Possible: Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew) Julian Gressel (DC United) Brandon Bye (New England Revolution) William Omsberg (Chicago Fire)

Midfield

Essential: Carles Gil (New England Revolution) Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew)

Gil and Zelarayan are the standout mids in the game and both have home matches.

Recommended: Djorde Mihailovic (CF Montreal) Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) Marcelino Moreno (Atlanta United)

After 13 assists last season (joint highest), Mihailovic has started 2022 with three goals and two assists already.  His only downside is a lack of bonus point production.

Despite not having played any home games, Mukhtar hasn’t gone below seven points in his last three games.

Almada and Moreno have high floors with scores of six and five last week despite no goals or assists.

Possible: Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls) Joao Paulo (Seattle Sounders)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Romell Quioto (CF Montreal) CJ Sapong (Nashville SC)

In a week where the midfield options are far more appealing, Quioto is one of the better forward choices. He has scored in each of his last two appearances.

Sapong scored at SKC last week and travels to San Jose, who have conceded 8 goals at home already this season.

Possible: Fafa Picault (Houston Dynamo) Darwin Quintero (Houston Dynamo) Mikael Uhre (Philadelphia Union) Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders) Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC) Carlos Vela (LAFC)

Captain

1. Zelarayan
2. Gil
3. Mihailovic

We’ve arrived at the first double gameweek of the 2022 MLS Fantasy Soccer season. Six teams (Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati, Orlando City, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City) play twice but beware of some fantasy favourites missing out due to international duty.

Stats from FBRef

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Alec Kann (FC Cincinnati)

Kann has yet to score more than three fantasy points in a game this season but, for anyone looking for three chances of a clean sheet, he is the ideal starting point. His two games will be completed early, meaning he can be paired with a SGW option in a keeperoo.

Possible: Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte FC) Tim Melia (Sporting Kansas City) Aljaz Ivacic (Portland Timbers) Eloy Room (Columbus Crew) Earl Edwards Jr. (New England Revolution)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Andreu Fontas (Sporting Kansas City) Zac McGraw (Portland Timbers) Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)

Fontas is perhaps a slight risk, given how Sporting KC have performed on the road. But he offers a high floor and a home game before a trip to low scoring Vancouver.

The Timbers have two home games and McGraw has offered decent bonus point returns in two of his four appearances this season. But, with Larrys Mabiala and Dario Zuparic close to returning, be ready to switch to another Timbers defender

Wagner is a SGW option but one of the most reliable players in the game. He has two clean sheets this season and fantasy scores of 6, 7, 8 and 11.

Possible: Christian Fuchs (Charlotte FC) Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake) Antonio Carlos (Orlando City) Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew) Lucas Estevez (Colorado Rapids)

Midfield

Essential: None

Recommended: Ben Bender (Charlotte FC) Lucho Acosta (FC Cincinnati) Yimmi Chara (Portland Timbers) Carles Gil (New England Revolution)

Bender has one goal, two assists and 19 points from his last two games. But will the likely absence of Karol Swiderski impact on his productivity?

While he can be frustrating for fantasy managers, Acosta has two matches and leads the league in Shot Creating Actions (SCA) with 29.

Last week’s game in Dallas was the first time this season that Chara has failed to provide a goal or an assist.

Gil has a SGW but still has the potential to outscore most other players with a season average of 9.50.

Possible: Remi Walter (Sporting Kansas City) Pablo Ruiz (Real Salt Lake) Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati)

In a week that doesn’t look great for striking options, Vazquez is the stand-out. Two games, both early in the gameweek and coming off scores of 13 and 18 in the past two weeks.

Possible: Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Portland Timbers) Ercan Kara (Orlando City) Gonzalo Higuain (Inter Miami)

Captain

1. Chara
2. Gil
3. Acosta

The MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022 season is already at Gameweek 4. This week sees some hard to call matchups and the Champions League teams returning to domestic competition after midweek second-legs.

Stats from FBRef

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Alec Kann (FC Cincinnati) Brad Guzan (Atlanta United) Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)

Kann may not be an obvious choice but at just $4.5m and with a home game against Inter Miami he is worth a shot as part of a keeperoo.

Despite no clean sheets this season, Guzan ended up on six points last week thanks to bonus points for saves. He also faces CF Montreal who will be coming off a Champions League tie.

St. Clair scored 15 points, including a penalty save, as the Loons managed their first clean sheet of the season.

Possible: Earl Edwards Jr (New England Revolution) Maarten Paes (FC Dallas) Zac MacMath (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders

Essential: Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United)

If he plays out of position (in a more advanced role) like last week against Charlotte FC, Lennon looks like a ‘must have’ at only $6.1m.

Recommended: Wyatt Omsberg (Chicago Fire) Justin Glad (Real Salt Lake) Mbacke (LAFC)

Chicago have three straight shut-outs and have a home match against Sporting KC who have lost twice on the road, conceding five goals with an xGA of 4.3. Omsberg has 29 fantasy points from those three games.

Glad is the pick of the RSL defence who have two clean sheets from three games. This weekend they face Nashville SC who have just 8 shots on target from three games.

With a goal and two clean sheets, Mbacke is averaging nearly 8 points per game. LAFC play Vancouver Whitecaps who have one goal from three and the lowest xG (2.1) in the league.

Possible: Nick DePuy (LA Galaxy) Adam Lundkvist (Houston Dynamo) Julio Cascante (Austin FC)

Midfield

Essential: None

Recommended: Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire) Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew) Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC)

Shaqiri hasn’t yet hit the fantasy heights he is capable of. He is up against Sporting KC who have struggled during their two road games so far.

With scores of 16, 15 and 15, it’s hard to ignore Zelarayan after his start to the season. The only question to ask is if there are better options from the players with home fixtures?

Despite a poor return at Portland last week, Driussi still has 30 points from three games. The hope is that Seattle Sounders rotate heavily after Champions League involvement.

Possible: Lucho Acosta (FC Cincinnati) Kervin Arriaga (Minnesota United) Alan Velasco (FC Dallas) Frankie Amaya (NYRB)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati) Jesus Jimenez (Toronto FC) Chicharito (LA Galaxy)

At $6.6m Vazquez is a nice early forward option for the bench. He returned two goals and 13 points at Orlando last week.

Jimenez has two goals and an assist from three games, returning fantasy scores of 6, 7 and 8…so 9 this week?

Chicharito has two goals and will provide more, even if he is a little light on bonus point production.

Possible: Josef Martinez (Atlanta United) Darwin Qunitero (Houston Dynamo)

Captain

1. Lennon
2. Driussi
3. Shaqiri

Gameweek 3 of MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022 is impacted by Concacaf Champions League with four teams – CF Montreal, New England Revolution, NYCFC and Seattle Sounders – all having played midweek, first-leg ties.

Be ready for possible squad rotation and watch the line-ups.

Stats from FBRef

Goalkeeper

Essential: Earl Edwards Jr. (New England Revolution)

A clean sheet against FC Dallas confirmed Edwards as the ideal bargain keeper option. Still only $5.1m and with a home game against Real Salt Lake, he needs to be in there again…if selected.

Recommended: Sean Johnson (NYCFC) Eloy Room (Columbus Crew)

Both Johnson and Room are amongst the more reasonably priced keepers and play early. Either would be a solid choice for the first part of a keeperoo.

Possible: Steve Clark (Houston Dynamo) Brad Guzan (Atlanta United)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Brad Smith (DC United) Andy Najar (DC United) Brandon Bye (New England Revolution) Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)

Smith and Najar have two straight clean sheets and face Chicago Fire who have yet to score. Both players also have attacking potential and, right now, offer better value for money than Julian Gressel.

After a goal on the opening day, Bye returned a clean sheet against FC Dallas last week. His involvement this week will depend on the Revs’ CCL match.

Wagner is expensive but is arguably the best defender in the game.

Possible: Maxime Chanot (NYCFC) Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew) Antonio Carlos (Orlando City) Lucas Estevez (Colorado Rapids) Andrew Gutman (Atlanta United)

Midfield

Essential: Carles Gil (New England Revolution) Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew)

Chalk, essential, template, call them what you like – build your team around Gil and Zela this week.

Recommended: Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC) Lewis Morgan (NYRB)

With three goals and two assists already this season, Driussi is one of the best performers in the game so far this season. But how will Austin handle their first road game, a tricky trip to face Portland Timbers?

Like Driussi, Morgan has 29 fantasy points in two games. But will the Red Bulls play with the same freedom at home to Minnesota United as they did in their two away trips?

Possible: Derek Etienne Jr. (Columbus Crew) Facundo Torres (Orlando City) Paul Arriola (FC Dallas) Yimmi Chara (Portland Timbers) Frankie Amaya (NYRB)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Patryk Klimala (NYRB)

Klimala has one goal and three assists and is the highest in the league for npxG+A per 90 minutes (1.22). While the available data is limited, he looks like a smart choice this week.

Possible: Miguel Berry (Columbus Crew) Gonzalo Higuain (Inter Miami) Cristian Arango (LAFC) Carlos Vela (LAFC) Michael Estrada (DC United)

Higuain could be an interesting choice, given he is playing in a slightly more withdrawn role and could pick up more bonus points.

Captain

1. Zelarayan
2. Gil
3. Klimala

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)