Now that MLS have (finally) published a full set of fixtures for the 2021 season, hopefully the fantasy game will soon go live.

While we don’t yet know the full format for this year’, it doesn’t stop managers planning for the opening gameweek of the season. Here are just a few of the newcomers who may be worth considering in the months ahead.

Brenner (FC Cincinnati)

The 21-year-old from Brazil is arguably the most hyped up signing off the close season. After 11 goals and three assists in the league in 2020 he was linked with clubs in Europe, but instead he’ll be aiming to lead the orange and blue to the play-offs for the first time.

Alexandre Pato (Orlando)

Once hailed as the future of Brazilian football, the former Milan striker’s career perhaps hasn’t reached the heights some thought it would. However, he should have the quality to make his mark in MLS and has already found the net during pre-season.

Tomas Pochettino (Austin)

Pochettino is an Argentine ‘number 10’ with goal and assist potential and could be Austin’s best fantasy option. However, he may not produce immediately as the new boys face a run of SEVEN straight away games.

Kim Moon-Hwan (LAFC)

LAFC’s new right-back showed his attacking capabilities in his early career in South Korea’s second tier. If he can produce similar results as part of a solid defence, he could prove to be one of the bargains of the season.

Bjorn Johnsen (Montreal)

Johnsen has played in Norway, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Scotland, South Korea and had a particularly successful season in the Eredivisie with Ado Den Haag. At 6 feet 5 he should prove a handful for defenders and provide competition for Romell Quioto, Mason Toye and fellow new signing Erik Hurtado.

Arnor Ingvi Traustason (New England)

The Icelandic winger/midfielder has played in a number of European leagues as well featuring in Euro 2016 and making a very brief World Cup appearance in 2018. If he can start regularly in a team featuring Carles Gil and Gustavo Bou he should be capable of racking up fantasy points.

Lisandro Lopez (Atlanta)

At 38 years old, Lopez is very much at the veteran stage and will most likely be in a supporting role to a fully fit Josef Martinez. But a player of his pedigree (his career includes successful spells at FC Porto and Lyon) could prove to be a useful third striker or bench option.

We’ve made it – the final week of the MLS Fantasy Soccer Season. A season that started in February is finally coming to an end.

For managers it’s the last chance to make a big climb up the standings or to cement a strong overall rank. With so many teams having so much to play for, there are plenty of great options this week, including twelve teams with a double gameweek.

Goalkeeper

Strongly Consider

The fixtures have bee kindn once again to anyone looking to play a keeperoo. Select Pedro Gallese (Orlando City), Joe Willis (Nashville SC) or Eloy Room (Columbus Crew) and have two shots at a clean sheet before some of the single gameweek keepers have taken to the field.

Think About

Tim Melia (Sporting KC) is one of those backup keepers worth thinking about.

Defenders

Strongly Consider

Nashville SC have managed nine clean sheets in this shortened season. Give serious thought to Walker Zimmerman or, if you’re budget doesn’t extend that far, Dave Romney.

With a home fixture against FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami appear to be one of the better SGW options. Leandro Gonzalez Pirez is a very reasonable $6.1m.

Think About

Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders coverage could be useful as both aim to finish as top seed in the Western Conference.

Despite a tricky match at home to New England Revolution, don’t rule out a Philadelphia Union defender either.

Midfield

Must Have

Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders) has double digit returns in four of his last seven fixtures and two favourable match ups – simple.

Strongly Consider

Diego Valerio (Portland Timbers), Pedro Santos (Columbus Crew), Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC) and Lewis Morgan (Inter Miami) are obvious choices but consistently manage big scores.

Randall Leal’s form has improved significantly over the past four weeks, providing fantasy returns of 14, 6, 10 and 6. Games against FC Dallas (home) and Orlando City (away) provide two decent opportunities for more from the Nashville midfielder.

Think About

Chris Mueller (Orlando City) has had an impressive season with six goals and six assists. He also managed 10 points last time out against Atlanta United.

In his past two games, Yimmi Chara (Portland Timbers) has fantasy scores of 15 (including four assists) and 9 and could be a differential option.

There haven’t been many genuine fantasy options from DC United this season but Julian Gressel and Yamil Asad have recently shown signs of the form that made them so important in previous years.

Forwards

Strongly Consider

With five goals and three assists from his last six games, Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders) continues to be one of the most effective strikers in the game.

He’s went under the radar for much of the season but Robert Beric (Chicago Fire) is a consistent scorer with 8 goals from 11 games.

While doubts remain about Carlos Vela’s gametime, Diego Rossi is the best LAFC attacking option.

Beware

For much of the season Kacper Przybylko (Philadelphia Union) and Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew) would have been amongst the first players included in many fantasy teams. However, inconsistent form means that they are now a bit of a gamble. Take one, but not both.

The penultimate round of MLS Fantasy Soccer 2020 is another monster gameweek with every team facing two fixtures. For anyone chasing a higher overall rank or a mini league victory, perhaps it’s time to take a risk or two.

Goalkeeper

There are a number of decent keeper options for this week. Jimmy Maurer (FC Dallas), Quentin Westberg (Toronto FC) and Steve Clark (Portland Timbers) all have two home games and deserve some consideration.

Defenders

Think About

Toronto coverage at the back may seem strange on the back of a 5-0 hammering at Philadelphia. But TFC have two home fixtures and three clean sheets in the past five games.

Reto Ziegler (FC Dallas) is averaging six points per game and has two clean sheets in his last three matches. His colleague, Bressan, is less than half the price at $5m.

Orlando City have games against Atlanta United (home) and Montreal Impact (away) and could deliver at least one shut out.

LAFC have had mixed fortunes at the back this season but have two clean sheets in their last four home games. Eddie Segura ($7.8m) is a possible option.

Midfield

Must Have

If you can’t afford Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders) and Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC) then make sure you have at least one of them.

Strongly Consider

Expect at least one big performance from Diego Valeri (at home to LA Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps) as Portland Timbers push to finish top of the Western Conference.

Think About

Pedro Santos (Columbus Crew) has been outstanding this season but has tricky fixtures at a rejuvenated DC United and at home to Philadelphia Union.

He may only start one of Philadelphia Union’s matches this week but when he’s in from the start, Anthony Fontana usually delivers. Despite being on the field for little over 400 minutes this season, Fontana has six goals.

Forwards

Must Have

He’s back and already has a goal. Carlos Vela (LAFC) made a 20 minute return against LA Galaxy and the only real gamble with Vela is leaving him out.

Strongly Consider

Despite his 8^th straight game without a goal Kacper Przybylko (Philadelphia Union) produced three assists and 14 points against Toronto FC. He has two more chances to get back on the scoresheet.

Think About

Montreal’s Romell Quioto has scored in his last three games and could be a decent option for games against Nashville and Orlando.

Alternatively, one of Portland’s two main strikers, Felipe Mora or Jeremy Ebobisse would be cheaper third striker options.

Gameweek 12 of MLS Fantasy Soccer sees four teams – FC Dallas, Nashville SC, New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union – facing a double gameweek. The rest all must make do with one match.

Goalkeeper

Strongly Consider

Joe Willis (Nashville SC) is ideal for anyone running a keeperoo. His two fixtures will have been completed before most of the SGW teams have stepped onto the pitch so put Willis on the bench to start with.

Think About

Sean Johnson (New York City) and Andrew Putna (Real Salt Lake) are possible choices for the second keeper spot should Willis not bring back a decent return.

Defenders

Must Have

Anton Tinnerholm (New York City) is the highest scoring defender in Fantasy MLS this season. A home game against Montreal Impact has the potential for attacking and defensive points.

Strongly Consider

Nashville have managed seven clean sheets this season. Walker Zimmerman ($11.1m) and Dave Romney ($7.5m) will hopefully have two chances to add to that total.

Think About

Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United) is listed as a defender but often plays much further upfield. Definitely worth considering.

Midfield

Must Have

Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders) faces a vital top of the table clash against old rivals, Portland Timbers. Expect fantasy points, even if he doesn’t score or assist.

Strongly Consider

Lee Nguyen will start at least one of New England’s two fixtures and can generate points, regardless of the opposition.

Lewis Morgan has delivered 45 points from his last five games and continues to be Inter Miami’s best option. He may even benefit from Gonzalo Higuain’s suspension.

Forwards

Strongly Consider

While El Trafico hasn’t always been kind to LAFC, their attackers will relish a home game against the Galaxy, given the visitors current form. The returning Diego Rossi or Bradley Wright Phillips could be in for a good week.

Think About

Lucas Cavellini (Vancouver Whitecaps) has three goals in his last three games and is worth a look for a home game against San Jose Earthquakes.

In the same match, anyone playing catch up and looking for a differential could go for Andres Rios. The San Jose striker has three goals in his last five games.

Beware

Kacper Przybylko (Philadelphia Union) has gone six games without a goal and has last four appearances have resulted in a total of just 10 fantasy points. Despite being on a DGW, there are better options.

There’s little time for MLS Fantasy Soccer managers to recover from Gameweek 9. Less than 48 hours later, Gameweek 10 kicks-off as Nashville SC host Minnesota United. The lineups this week will be impacted by some big names away on international duty.

Goalkeeper

Strongly Consider

Eloy Room (Columbus Crew) and Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union) are obvious keeper candidates this week. The Crew have conceded only one goal in their last five home games but there may be fitness concerns regarding Room, so check the starting XI. The Union, meanwhile, have favourable home games against FC Cincinnati and Montreal Impact.

Think About

If you have the budget for a keeperoo Nashville keeper, Joe Willis, is worth a punt. He’s a reasonable $7.4m and has two shut outs in his last three matches.

Defenders

Must Have

Anton Tinnerholm has scored in his last two games for NYCFC, meaning he has four goals, two assists and four clean sheets this season. He faces DC United and New England, both at home.

Strongly Consider

As discussed already, having Columbus and Philadelphia defensive cover looks like a plan this week. If you can afford more than $10m for Jonathan Mensah or Jakob Glesnes, go for it. If you’re looking for cheaper alternatives, there’s Josh Williams and/or Matthew Real.

Think About

Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United) racked up a sensational 23 points at DC United, including a goal, two assists and a clean sheet. Still only $8.2m, Lennon could deliver more attacking returns at home to Orlando and NYRB.

Roman Torres or Brad Smith could prove a cheap way into the Seattle defence – if selected.

Midfield

Must Have

Last time out, Nicolas Lodeiro and Joao Paulo (both Seattle Sounders) managed 10 points each. Don’t rule out a repeat if both start against Real Salt Lake and LAFC.

Strongly Consider

Like Lodeiro, Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC) is averaging more than 8.5 points per game. If you can justify the $16.5m price, then you’re almost guaranteed a decent points return.

Pedro Santos (Columbus Crew) is delivering over 7.5 points per game and is a more realistic $11.2m. He will also be vital to the Crew in the absence of Lucas Zelarayan.

Think About

The Chicago Fire pair of Fabian Herbers and Alvaro Medran have been in the points recently and could be again – particularly in an appealing second fixture at home to DC United.

Forwards

Strongly Consider

Any two from Kacper Przybylko (Philadelphia Union), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew) or Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders) should contribute to a productive gameweek.

Think About

Ayo Akinola impressed at MLS is Back and managed his second regular season goal against Philadelphia last week. He’s still only $5.4m and could be a good bench option.

Bradley Wright Phillips continues to impress. Despite only playing 65 minutes at Real Salt Lake, he came up with a goal and an assist, outscoring Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez.

Another veteran still doing the business is Kai Kamara. Now on his eighth MLS club, Kamara scored his first goal for Minnesota during Gameweek 9 and is another budget striking option.

MLS is going old school this week as every team involved has only one fixture, with not a double gameweek in sight. The exceptions are Portland and Colorado, who don’t have a game due to the Covid-19 situation at the Rapids.

For fantasy managers it should be easier to decide on scrubs and keeperoos than in previous weeks, and there’s no concerns about rotation.

Goalkeeper

Think About

Matt Turner (New England Revolution) has a home fixture against Nashville, who have failed to score in four of their last five road games. Alternatively, Dayne St.Clair (Minnesota United) takes on an FC Cincinnati side who have drawn a blank in three of their last five away games.

In the later matches, Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders) has a decent clean sheet opportunity at home to Vancouver who have consistently struggled away, including a 6-0 hammering at LAFC last week. If you want to save funds for elsewhere in your squad then Andrew Putna could be a bargain at just $5.7m. The Real Salt Lake stopper has 18 points from his last two games and takes on LAFC, who were beaten 3-0 in their last trip to Utah.

Defenders

Strongly Consider

If Turner is too expensive for your New England defensive cover then Brandon Bye and Andrew Farrell are more reasonably priced. Likewise, Minnesota United and Seattle defenders are solid options for this week.

Think About

With a home fixture against Philadelphia Union approaching, Toronto FC perhaps isn’t the obvious place to look for a defender. But selecting Richie Laryea would be more about attack than defence. Returns of 8 and 14 during gameweek 8 included a goal and two assists against Columbus.

Midfield

Must Have

When it comes to Seattle attacking options, the hardest decision is who to leave out. Nicolas Lodeiro ($14.7m) is the normal ‘go-to’ as he provides consistent big returns and takes penalties. But Joao Paulo ($11.7m) is a cheaper option, averaging 8 points per game over the past five games, compared to 8.8 for Lodeiro.

Strongly Consider

Kevin Molino (Minnesota United) has managed more than 70 minutes four times this season – in each of those four games he has reached double figures in fantasy points. A home game against FC Cincinnati could see that run continue.

Think About

Molino’s Minnesota team-mate, Emanuel Reynoso, Darwin Quintero (Houston Dynamo) and the Orlando pair Nani and Chris Mueller are all worth a look this week. And don’t rule Chicago Fire midfielders – the trio of Alvaro Medran, Gaston Giminez and Fabian Herbers are in form and worth considering.

Forwards

Seriously Consider

Again, Seattle players are high on the list. Jordan Morris and Raul Ruidiaz are always a threat and have a favourable match.

Then, of course, there’s Gonzalo Higuain. His debut against Philadelphia didn’t go to plan with the penalty miss, but don’t let that put you off. A fit and firing Higuain could bring big returns and is good value at $9.5m.

Think About

There are also some decent budget striking options. Kei Kamara (Minnesota United), Bradley Wright-Phillips (LAFC) and Tom Barlow (New York Red Bulls) could all prove useful bench options if you’ve spent most of your budget on other areas of the team.

The ultimate double gameweek is here. Every MLS team faces two fixtures in the days ahead, meaning a huge array of options for fantasy managers.

Goalkeeper

Strongly Consider

Since the resumption of the MLS season, New England Revolution have managed two cleans sheets (v Philadelphia Union and NYC FC) in four home games. Matches at home to Montreal and away to DC United mean Matt Turner has a reasonable chance of more shut outs.

Think About

Luis Robles (Inter Miami) is a cheaper option and faces his former side, New York Red Bulls.

Pablo Sisniega (LAFC) is a cheap keeperoo option at just $4.3m and plays in the last match of the first round of fixtures.

Defenders

Strongly Consider

Alexander Buttner (New England Revolution) has clean sheet and assist potential. Team mate Andrew Farrell has a lower average but is a less expensive route into the Revolution defence.

Think About

Nashville have two home contests, against DC United and Houston. Dave Romney is worth considering at $6.4m.

Beware

Columbus Crew defenders are normally solid fantasy options. However, games against Minnesota (home) and Toronto (away) mean there might be better value elsewhere.

Midfield

Must Have

With Sebastian Blanco injured, Diego Valeri is once more the main man when it comes to the Portland Timbers midfield – as show by his 19 points last week against San Jose. He may not reach those heights against Seattle, but double figures isn’t unrealistic. Don’t let potential rotation v Vancouver put you off.

Strongly Consider

If your budget allows it, take one or both of Alejandro Pozuelo and Nicolas Lodeiro. Opposition proof, and both take penalties.

Think About

Over his part four fixtures, Kevin Molino (Minnesota) has managed returns of 13, 15 and 10. The only downside is that his better fixture of the gameweek (at home to Real Salt Lake) comes second and he isn’t always guaranteed to start.

At $4.0m, Anthony Fontana is a great bench option. He has three goals in two games…from a grand total of 70 minutes.

Forwards

Must Have

LAFC may have their troubles but Diego Rossi will relish home games against Vancouver and San Jose. Captain material.

Strongly Consider

Kacper Przybylko (Philadelphia Union) has found the net six times in six, including a double against Montreal last time out.

Six teams have double fixtures during Gameweek 7 of MLS Fantasy Soccer. However, while it will be tempting to select players who have two chances to run up big scores, many of the best opportunities lie with single gameweek players and teams.

Goalkeeper

Must Have

With Jimmy Maurer injured, Kyle Zobeck (FC Dallas) is a bargain $4.5m and plays against Houston Dynamo in the opening fixture. Get him on your bench.

Think About

Eloy Room (Columbus Crew) and Ryan Meara (New York Red Bulls) are great options to pair with Zobeck for the keeperoo. Or, if you want the benefit of the double gameweek, Montreal’s Clement Diop is worth some thought.

Defenders

Must Have

Columbus have registered clean sheets in their last three home games and four out of their last six in total. They face a Nashville side who have failed to find the net in three of their last four road games.

Harrison Afful, John Mensah and Milton Valenzuela are all around $10.0m but have big clean sheet potential this week.

Strongly Consider

Joevin Jones (Seattle Sounders) failed to keep a clean sheet against San Jose but managed a monster 21 points mostly through attacking returns – and this week he faces LAFC.

Think About

Orlando City and New York Red Bulls defenders should also be considered as they face poor travellers, FC Cincinnati and Chicago Fire.

Avoid

LAFC have conceded three in each of their last three away matches. They return to Seattle, the scene of one of those defensive disasters – avoid.

Midfield

Think About

It’s natural to immediately think about premium midfielders like Lodeiro and Pozuelo. But this week there are a number of viable mid-range options which will free up funds to be spent elsewhere.

Gadi Kinda, Johnny Russell, Michael Barrios, Albert Rusnak, Damir Kreilach, Pedro Santos, Chris Muller and Hany Mukhtar are all available for under $10.0m.

Forwards

Must Have

The only issue this week with Seattle forwards is deciding which one to select. Jordan Morris scored 20 points last week against San Jose and Raul Ruidiaz…also scored 20 points. Toss a coin or pick both.

Think About

LA Galaxy are becoming more reliable in general and Cristian Pavon has delivered 41 points in his last five matches.

Ariel Lassiter (Houston Dynamo) is a newcomer to MLS but in a 35 minute cameo against Minnesota United on his debut he managed 11 points. He hasn’t reached those heights again but, at $7.0m, he could be useful from the bench if funds are limited.