Gameweek 8 of MLS Fantasy is here, and once again we’ve asked our experts to reveal the teams they’re backing ahead of the deadline.
In this article, several experienced managers share their current squads, along with their thinking around key decisions for the round. From captaincy choices to transfer plans and overall strategy, their insights could provide useful guidance as you prepare your own team for the upcoming Gameweek.
@dmpwright
NOTES
- Brian White comes in for the injured Wessam Abou Ali ahead of Vancouver’s favourable home game against Sporting Kansas City this week.
- Seattle also have a strong matchup, which likely sees Albert Rusnák return to my team for the first time since Round 4.
- Ideally, I would also like to bring in a Seattle defender. However, with both Seattle and Vancouver blanking in Round 9, I’m wary of loading up on too many of their players. There’s also the added risk of rotation following the midweek CONCACAF Champions Cup games.
- Elsewhere, Denis Bouanga and Ryan Porteous come in ahead of back-to-back home fixtures for LAFC, leaving me with one remaining free transfer that I’ll likely use on a one-week punt.
@Fpl_Thomas10
NOTES
- My goalkeepers stay unchanged this week.
- In defence, I’m looking to bring in Ryan Porteous to cover the LAFC defence. I’ve considered selling Reid Roberts because of the difficult matchup, but he still feels like a good hold. San Diego play the last game of the round, and he should still offer a solid floor, with two strong upcoming fixtures in Blank Gameweek 9 and Gameweek 10.
- In midfield, Nico Fernandez is a lock, alongside Guilherme, whom I brought in early. I’m also tempted to double up on Vancouver midfielders with Thomas Muller, who has a favourable matchup against Sporting Kansas City.
- Up front, I’m aiming to buy Julian Hall, who has registered nine goal involvements in his last eight matches for New York Red Bulls and now faces a poor Montreal side.
@GarethWills10
NOTES
- The team scored 96 points, earning me a 10-place green arrow up to an overall rank of 133.
- We’ve got a 3am deadline on Saturday morning this round, and with eight teams blanking next week, I’m keeping that firmly in mind when making transfers.
- There’s a change in goal this week, with Duran Ferree coming in for Andrew Thomas, whose Seattle side blank next round. Hugo Lloris keeps his place for LAFC.
- In defence, I’ve moved on Sean Zawadzki after Columbus Crew’s disappointing home draw with Orlando, bringing in Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Chicago Fire, who also blank next week.
- Ryan Porteous, Mathias Laborda, Brayan Ceballos, and Richie Laryea complete the defence.
- In midfield, the plan is to replace Max Arfsten with Marco Reus of LA Galaxy, although he’s currently flagged as a doubt. If that doesn’t clear up, I’ll bring Jeppe Tverskov back in instead.
- Sebastian Berhalter, Guilherme, Paxton Aaronson, and Nick Fernandez make up the rest of the midfield.
- Up front, Marcus Ingvartsen drops out for Rafael Navarro, who’s in great form ahead of a matchup against Miami, a side that regularly concedes.
- Wessam Abou Ali, unfortunately, tore his ACL early in his match against Orlando last week and is now out for the season, so he makes way for Logan Farrington of FC Dallas.
- Lionel Messi keeps his place up top, boosted by the new manager bounce.
- Captaincy will start with Mathias Laborda, with plenty of strong options to switch to if needed.
@KarbownikFF
NOTES
- With a blank next week, I’ve decided to plan ahead while still targeting players with strong upside this week. I’ve already confirmed one transfer, with Thomas Muller making way for Guilherme.
- My likely transfer outs are Brian Schwake, Joseph Rosales, Alonso Coello and Anders Dreyer. That is down to either a blank next week, difficult fixtures, or simply a lack of returns.
- The players I’m looking to bring in are Daniel of San Jose, Richie Laryea, Rodrigo De Paul and Brian White. That gives me strong captaincy options as well as plenty of upside. The Vancouver asset I buy could still change, depending on the lineup.
