Tag Archives: fantasy soccer

MLS Fantasy Soccer 2021 GW6

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After the triumph/trauma (delete as appropriate) of the first double gameweek of the season, we’re back to a more regular schedule for the latest round of MLS Fantasy Soccer. This time, it’s Minnesota United with the bye week.

Goalkeepers

Strongly Consider

For a total of just $8.9m, a keeperoo with Stefan Cleveland (Seattle Sounders) and Logan Ketterer (Portland Timbers), looks like great value.

For anyone not convinced by that approach, look at Phelipe Megiolaro (FC Dallas), Joe Willis (Nashville SC) or whoever starts for CF Montreal.

Defenders

Must Have

Brad Smith (Seattle Sounders) – goal threat, clean sheet chance. Buy him.

Strongly Consider

Doubling up on Seattle defenders wouldn’t be a bad idea. Consider Alex Roldan who has two assists in addition to four clean sheets this season.

A home match against Columbus Crew wouldn’t normally be seen as a great clean sheet opportunity. But the Crew’s poor recent attacking numbers mean that, if fit, Anton Tinnerholm (New York City FC) could provide a shut out in addition to his regular attacking production.

Think About

This looks (on paper anyway) to be one of the better weeks for clean sheet hunting. Other teams to consider include FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution and Nashville SC, who are returning to last season’s level of reliability.

Midfield

Must Have

Carles Gil (New England Revolution) is the standout premium midfielder this week. Assuming he plays centrally, a double figure return isn’t out of the question. He’s also a potential captain.

Think About

Deciding on which three Seattle players to go with is one of this week’s big decisions. Joao Paulo and Cristian Roldan should be in the mix.

Jesus Medina (New York City FC) has made an excellent start to the season but, unlike many of the top midfielders, he is goal dependent and doesn’t generate as many bonus points.

Nashville SC pair, Randall Leal and Hany Mukhtar play in the last fixture, at home to Austin FC. Put one in your lineup and wait and see how your bench works out.

Possible midfield bench options include Yimmi Chara (Portland Timbers) and Djordje Mihailovic (CF Montreal). 

Forwards

Strongly Consider

Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders) has four goals and an assist in three home games. He’s an obvious choice this week as the Sounders welcome Atlanta United.

Think About

Chicharito (LA Galaxy) is always a goal threat and will like his chances of managing at least one at Portland Timbers.

At just $5.2m, Bjorn Johnsen (CF Montreal) could be the bargain of the weekend. After two goals in Miami last week, he’s an ideal candidate for the bench in the first match of the gameweek v FC Cincinnati.

Other strikers who should be in your thoughts are Romell Quioto (CF Montreal), Valentin Castellanos (New York City FC) and Alan Pulido (Sporting Kansas City).

Beware

Carlos Vela (LAFC) is on the way back to fitness, making an appearance from the bench against Seattle last time. Be ready to change your lineup if you want to accommodate him should he start against Colorado Rapids.

MLS Fantasy Soccer 2021 GW5

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It’s here – the first double gameweek of the MLS Fantasy Soccer season. There are twenty matches with thirteen teams playing twice but remember that only the higher fantasy score will count for any player with double fixtures.

Goalkeeper

Strongly Consider

Assuming he’s selected, Alex Bono (Toronto FC) will have two fixtures played before some of the SGW teams have kicked-off. That means three clean sheet possibilities for anyone including Bono in a keeperoo.

Think About

Bono could be paired up with SGW options including William Yarbrough (Colorado Rapids), Brad Guzan (Atlanta United) and David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake).

If Bono isn’t for you, then other DGW keeper options include Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), John McCarthy (Inter Miami), and Dayne St Clair (Minnesota United).

Defenders

Must Have

While Seattle Sounders conceded a late goal in Portland, Brad Smith had already been subbed, meaning he bagged his third clean sheet of the season to go with two goals and an assist. He has managed 11 shots (second only to Raul Ruidiaz for the Sounders) and is the highest scoring player in the game.

Strongly Consider

Philadelphia Union have two home games this round and Kai Wagner is averaging 7.5 points per game, helped by a clean sheet and an assist in Chicago last time out.

He only has one match this week but that’s usually enough for Anton Tinnerholm (NYCFC). The Swede is a threat at both ends of the field and will hope to take advantage of any tiredness or rotation in a Toronto side who will be playing their second game in less than 72 hours. But take note – at the time of writing, Rotowire have Tinnerholm’s participation as ‘questionable’

Think About

DC United coverage could be an inexpensive way into a defence with two home matches.

Midfield

Strongly Consider

With another three months before they need to think about Concacaf Champions League, Philadelphia Union and Jamiro Monteiro will hope to improve on their inconsistent start to the season.

Think About

Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United) returned 15 points last week despite his team’s defeat at Colorado. Hopefully two home games (against Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas) will provide opportunities for another big score.

Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew) scored a stunning free-kick last week against DC United and managed five bonus points for passing, crosses, recoveries and drawing fouls. The only possible concern is a lack of productivity when it comes to goal and assists from open play.

From the SGW midfielders, Jesus Medina (New York City FC) has three goals already this season and faces Toronto FC at home.

Forwards

Strongly Consider

After scoring his fifth goal of the season at the weekend, Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders) will expect more against San Jose Earthquakes and LAFC.

Chicharito (LA Galaxy) inspired his side to victory in El Trafico and could produce a similar performance against Austin FC.

Think About

He was upstaged by Chris Wondolowski last week, but Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes) is worth another look for the DGW.

Anyone who ignored Cowell last week in favour of Rubio Rubin would have been delighted as Rubio scored against San Jose with a spectacular overhead kick. This week he faces a Nashville SC side whose defence is now looking more like it did last season.

And is Josef Martinez back? The Atlanta United striker managed his first goal since 2019 in the game at Inter Miami and has a decent home fixture against CF Montreal.

MLS Fantasy Soccer 2021 GW4

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We have three of the league’s biggest rivalries, some promising young players becoming almost essential choices and teams trying to cope with the impact of Champions League participation on their regular season. It’s gameweek four of MLS Fantasy Soccer.

Goalkeepers

Think About

David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake) is yet to keep a clean sheet this season but at $4.6m he’s worth a punt in the opening match against San Jose Earthquakes.

Carlos Coronel (New York Red Bulls) is slightly more expensive at $5.4m but managed 10 points against Chicago Fire last week and is at home once again.

From the later kick-offs, William Yarbrough (Colorado Rapids) has managed double figures twice this season already and has a home game against Minnesota United.

For a cheaper alternative, look at Phelipe Megiolaro (FC Dallas) or Sporting Kansas City’s John Pulskamp.

Defenders

Strongly Consider

Averaging seven points per game, Andrew Gutman has made an impressive start to his New York Red Bulls career. He’s worth at least a bench spot against Toronto FC.

There was no clean sheet for Vancouver Whitecaps last week, but Carlos Gutierrez still managed a solid six points thanks to bonuses for passing and crossing.

Bressan (FC Dallas) scored last week, has clean sheet potential and should be in your thoughts ahead of the Texas Derby with Houston Dynamo.

Think About

Columbus Crew may have one eye on CCL but they haven’t conceded in their two league games so far and could continue that run against DC United. Some Columbus coverage wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Either side of a 3-1 home defeat to Austin FC, Colorado Rapids have kept two shut outs on the road. This time they face struggling Minnesota United.

Midfield

Strongly Consider

A CCL suspension means that Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew) will be fresh and less of a rotation risk against DC United.

Carles Gil (New England Revolution) produced a mammoth 17 points last week and is averaging nearly 11 for the season. A trip to Nashville SC won’t be easy but he has to be in contention.

Caden Clark (New York Red Bulls) would be a sensible choice this week. He’s scored in each of his two home games this season and is still under $6.0m.

Chicago Fire’s Luka Stojanovic has also found the net twice and has also provided one assist. He could be a decent early bench option when he faces Philadelphia Union.

Think About

Nani (Orlando City) has reached double figures for two straight games and has another home game, this time against New York City FC.

With a goal, two assists and 15 fantasy points last week, Damir Kreilach (Real Salt Lake) is a man in form.

Forwards

Strongly Consider

Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes) continues to impress and playing the first game of the round makes him an ideal bench selection.

Alternatively, Rubio Rubin (Real Salt Lake) is up against Cowell and has fantasy scores of 11 and 13 so far.

Think About

Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders) has two doubles already in 2021 and visits a Portland Timbers side who haven’t started the MLS season well, losing heavily at FC Dallas last week.

Other strikers worth some thought this week include Chicharito (LA Galaxy), Gonzalo Higuian (Inter Miami) and Robert Beric (Chicago Fire).

MLS Fantasy Soccer 2021 GW3

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The third week of the MLS Fantasy Soccer season will be an interesting one. There are a few hard to call matches, made even more difficult by some surprising results last week and five teams being in the middle of Concacaf Champions League ties.

Goalkeeper

Strongly Consider

Pedro Gallese (Orlando City) seems like an obvious choice as the Lions have a home game against FC Cincinnati, who looked poor at NYCFC last week.

Think About

Matt Turner (New England Revolution) and Phelipe Megiolaro (FC Dallas) face Portland and Atlanta, both of whom played midweek. The Revs and Dallas already have a clean sheet each this season. Megiolaro is likely to start in place of the injured Jimmy Maurer.

As part of a keeperoo with Gallese, Turner or Megiolaro, JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes) and Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders) have decent home fixtures later in the gameweek.

Defenders

Strongly Consider

Double Orlando coverage at the back seems like a plan this week. Consider Ruan ($5.7m) or Rodrigo Schlegel ($5.5m) …or both if you don’t select Gallese.

Think About

As with the keepers, consider New England and FC Dallas options. And don’t rule out some Seattle Sounders coverage.

For a potential bargain, look at Cristian Gutierrez. The Vancouver Whitecaps defender is only $5.5m but has 21 points in two games – including a clean sheet and two assists.

Beware

Before the season kicked off, Minnesota United and Nashville SC looked like sound defensive units. So far it hasn’t turned out that way, so perhaps it’s best to give both defences a miss this time.

Midfield

Strongly Consider

There are so many options in this area of the field. Take at least three from Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Jamiro Monteiro (Philadelphia Union), Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United), Randall Leal (Nashville SC), Eduard Atuesta (LAFC) and Nani (Orlando City).

Think About

Caden Clark (New York Red Bulls) and Luka Stojanovic (Chicago Fire) meet in the opening game of the round. Either could be great bench option at $5.2m and $5.5m.

Forwards

Must Have

Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders) has a home game against LA Galaxy and is a good shout to add to his two goals already this season. He’s also a strong captaincy option.

Strongly Consider

A 13-point showing for San Jose Earthquakes against FC Dallas highlighted Cade Cowell’s potential. With another home game coming up, this time against DC United, he’s worth at least a place on the bench

Think About

It’s nice to see Austin FC players already showing their fantasy potential. After a double at Colorado last week, Cecilio Dominguez is worth consideration.

A rejuvenated Chicharito (LA Galaxy) has five goals in two starts, though he might find Seattle’s defence tougher than his other opposition this season.

Don’t rule out one of the CF Montreal pair, Mason Toye and Romell Quioto or Nashville’s Jhonder Cadiz, who has two goals in two appearances.

Beware

Gonzalo Higuain (Inter Miami) will be missing due to a family bereavement.

MLS Fantasy Soccer 2021 GW2

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One gameweek down and it feels like MLS Fantasy Soccer has never been away. As we look forward to the next round of fixtures, remember that the five MLS teams still in the Concacaf Champions League have quarter-final ties next midweek – so be prepared for possible rotation.

Goalkeeper

Must Have

If you’re running a keeperoo then John Pulskamp (Sporting Kansas City) needs to be a part of it. The 19-year-old stepped in for the injured Tim Melia last week and plays in the first match of the week, at home to Orlando. He’s only $4.2m.

Think About

For your other keeper, consider Brad Guzan (Atlanta United), Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Matt Turner (New England Revolution) or Joe Willis (Nashville SC)

Defenders

Strongly Consider

Anton Tinnerholm (New York City FC) is expensive in defensive terms but his price is justified given his attacking threat.

Colorado Rapids managed a clean sheet at FC Dallas last week and could do the same at home to Austin FC. Danny Wilson is only $5.0m and provided seven points last week. The more expensive Keegan Rosenberry ($6.5m) managed nine points in the same game.

Think About

New England have a decent home fixture against DC United with Brandon Bye a bargain at $4.4m. He has defensive and attacking points potential.

Don’t rule out Nashville SC defensive options either. The two early goals conceded at home to FC Cincinnati last week were the visitors’ only shots on target and CF Montreal won’t have it as easy as they did against Toronto FC.

Midfield

Must Have

Randall Leal (Nashville SC) produced a massive 15 points last week, outscoring his more expensive team-mate, Hany Mukhtar. Get Leal in the line-up against Montreal.

Strongly Consider

There’s much to love about a midfielder who scores big fantasy returns without goals and assists. Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United) and Jack Price (Colorado Rapids) achieved that in gameweek one, managing eight and seven points respectively. If only choosing one, go with Reynoso’s greater attacking potential after he managed five shots in the defeat at Seattle.

And don’t forget about Carles Gil. After nine points in Chicago, the Spanish midfielder could manage a similar return at home to New England Revolution.

Think About

Caden Clark (New York Red Bulls) continues to impress and is only $5.0m for the trip to LA Galaxy. A great bench option.

Forwards

Strongly Consider

Kacper Przybylko (Philadelphia Union) was a consistent goalscorer and fantasy asset in 2020. Assuming he gets decent gametime against Inter Miami (and isn’t rested for the CCL tie) he should be confident of getting his first goal or goals of the season.

Gustavo Bou (New England Revolution) is already off the mark this season. His link up with Gil is crucial for the Revs and a home match against DC United is a decent opportunity for more points.

Think About

Chicharito (LA Galaxy) managed a double against Inter Miami and looks a player reborn after a horrible debut season in MLS – even if his second goal was a result of poor goalkeeping. If he continues to hit the net, he could be a huge fantasy player this year.

Beware

He’s usually a must have player but managers need to be careful with Carlos Vela (LAFC) this week. He is reportedly fit after the substitution fiasco last week but it would be natural to be concerned about him breaking down again. And another poor week could harm anyone look to build team value in the opening weeks of the season.