MLS Fantasy continues, and 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.
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@dmpwright
NOTES
- Miguel Navarro, Loïc Williams and Prince Owusu all delivered for me in Round 18. Despite those returns, all three are now on the chopping block due to their more difficult Round 19 fixtures.
- There aren’t many obvious matchups to attack this week, so most of my transfers will focus on players with reliable points floors and/or favourable upcoming fixture runs rather than purely targeting one-round upside.
- One fixture that does stand out is Columbus Crew’s home meeting with CF Montréal. Brais Méndez is firmly on my radar for that matchup, while Sean Zawadski could replace either Navarro or Williams in defence.
- Up front, Lionel Messi looks set to return to my squad. Inter Miami face Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC and CF Montréal across their next three matches, which looks like an ideal run to bring him back in. Owusu will likely make way.
@GarethWills10
NOTES
- It’s a quick turnaround this week, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on line-ups for any signs of rotation. I’m happy to stick with Matt Turner of New England Revolution and Brian Schwake of Nashville SC as my goalkeeper pairing.
- At the back, Ryan Porteous keeps his place despite LAFC travelling to Colorado Rapids. Mamadou Fofana and Lucas Halter also remain in the squad, while Timo Baumgartl gets an appealing matchup with St. Louis City SC facing struggling Sporting Kansas City. Osaze Urhoghide of FC Dallas completes the defence ahead of their meeting with Real Salt Lake.
- In midfield, I’m continuing to target Sporting Kansas City by bringing in Daniel Edelman of St. Louis City SC. Hany Mukhtar also comes in after scoring twice last time out, while Nico Fernández Mercau returns from his yellow-card accumulation suspension. Evander and Guilherme retain their places.
- Up front, Lionel Messi returns to my team. I’m backing him to respond strongly after missing his third consecutive penalty and picking up a yellow card last time out. Simon Becher also comes in for St. Louis City SC to target Sporting Kansas City, while Antoine Griezmann keeps his place for Orlando City. The captaincy goes straight onto Messi.
@KarbownikFF
NOTES
- After a grey arrow in Round 18, I’m attacking Round 19 aggressively with a Wildcard already planned for Round 20. The aim is to push into the top 10, which remains my target for the end of the season. St. Louis City SC will be my main focus this week.
- Eduard Löwen and Simon Becher are the two players most likely to come in, allowing me to heavily target their favourable matchup with struggling Sporting Kansas City.
- My other transfers are likely to be Anthony Markanich, Brooks Lennon and Joseph Paintsil. Markanich faces Atlanta United, while Lennon gets an appealing meeting with CF Montréal. Paintsil completes the group ahead of LA Galaxy’s clash with a San Jose Earthquakes side currently in transition.
- Loïc Williams and Miguel Navarro are both set to leave after their recent Colorado Rapids double-up. Jack McGlynn, Peyton Miller and Robert Lewandowski are my other planned sales. Those departures are mainly driven by difficult fixtures and concerns over rotation during the quick turnaround.
- With the Wildcard coming immediately afterwards, I can focus entirely on maximising Round 20 rather than worrying about the longer-term consequences of these moves.
@Fpl_Thomas10
NOTES
- With my two goalkeepers clashing, I’m looking to bring in another option who can rotate effectively with Hugo Lloris.
- In defence, Mathías Laborda is set to come in. Vancouver Whitecaps have a strong run of home fixtures ahead, which makes him particularly appealing beyond this round.
- The final defensive spot remains undecided, with Timo Baumgartl and Sean Zawadski among the options I’m considering. In midfield, I’m currently leaning towards a well-rested Brais Méndez. He’s new to MLS but looks capable of scoring well, particularly with Columbus Crew facing CF Montréal this week.
- Up front, I’m looking to bring Denis Bouanga back into the squad, although that position is still open to change before the deadline. I also haven’t ruled out using the Quick Fix this week, so there could still be some late changes to my plans.
@_FutboIOscar
NOTES
- In goal, I’m likely to stick with Luka Gavran and Angus Gunn for another round, with no other goalkeeper really standing out enough to justify a transfer.
- Kai Wagner, Maxwell Woledzi and Manu Duah should all remain in my defence. Each offers a decent points floor heading into the upcoming round. There could be two changes at the back, however.
- Peyton Miller was substituted early against Toronto FC, so he’s likely to leave my squad, while Loïc Williams could also make way ahead of a difficult home fixture against LAFC. In midfield, Milan Iloski disappointed yet again while in my team, but I’m willing to give him another opportunity at home to Inter Miami.
- Carles Gil, Guilherme and Evander also retain their places, although I’m considering moving on Pep Biel. Up front, Robert Lewandowski managed just two points against Portland Timbers, but the upcoming fixture still appeals. Chicago Fire now face an Orlando City side who, alongside Sporting Kansas City, have conceded the most goals.
- Denis Bouanga is also likely to remain in my front line, while Antoine Griezmann is the forward most at risk of being transferred out.
