SoRare

Compete for real prizes in the free-to-play Sorare Academy this weekend


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Welcome back to another weekend of MLS regular season action. We are in the middle of the summer window and have already witnessed the debuts of Chiellini, Bale, Cucho Hernandez and Hector Herrera – with more to come.

Don’t forget that you can enter a team for free every week in the Sorare Academy and be in with a chance of winning a Limited card.

The deadline this week, as ever, is on Friday at 11am BST.

Guest writer Frip talks us through the fixtures for this coming weekend. You can find him on Twitter posting regular MLS injury, transfer and other news here.


LAST GAMEWEEK

15 more managers secured a Limited card prize last week. Our number one manager was Jessejreyes with this unusual team – a full Real Salt Lake Stack:

THIS GAMEWEEK

This weekend doesn’t have many obvious home-run matchups which makes for a lot of potentially interesting picks. Let’s get into some of those games below:

Inter Miami CF at NYCFC

Taty Castellanos is about to play his farewell game for NYCFC this weekend. He has become a club legend, scoring 50 goals and 19 assists in 108 matches. Targeting the Miami defense has been a solid strategy all year and this week is no different. Phil Neville’s men have not had a clean sheet since May and with Phil hyping up the midweek Barcelona friendly as the “biggest match in club history”, it’s easy to build a narrative against them this weekend.

Santiago Rodriguez would be the go-to midfielder to pair Castellanos, however, he picked up his fifth yellow card last weekend and is suspended for this one. Maxi Moralez is always a threat and just had a free kick off the crossbar last weekend. Miami does have a new Designated Player in Pozuelo who made his debut last weekend and scored 62 without a goal or assist. At the first glance, he seems to fit much better into Miami’s system and is worth monitoring in the upcoming weeks.

San Jose Earthquakes at Portland Timbers

The Timbers offense has been rolling recently. They averaged two goals per game in the past six matches. Their forward position is still a bit iffy between Niezgoda and the recently-recovered Felipe Mora. Whoever gets the start out the two should do well but since we don’t have the luxury of knowing that in advance we’ll have to look elsewhere in the Portland team.

Luckily that’s pretty easy since midfield duo Santiago Moreno and Eryk Williamson (suspended last week) have been in form recently. Claudio Bravo is one of the best bonus-scoring defenders in MLS and this weekend is a good opportunity to play him as well.


Atlanta United at LA Galaxy

The Galaxy have been without Chicharito and Marky Delgado over the past two matches due to the health and safety protocol. Odds are good that both of them are able to return to the starting XI this weekend – be sure to keep an eye out for injury updates there. Joveljic has been the LA Galaxy story of the season so far. After being unable to crack the starting XI and repeatedly scoring off the bench, he has now found a spot in the lineup. The Serbian has four goals in his last five games, of which he started four. Defensively Bond has solid clean sheet odds in goal with upside as well.

RBNY at Austin FC

It would be odd to end this article without mentioning in-form Austin FC who have won four of their last six matches. Don’t expect their form to drop off any time soon either: their next five games are RBNY/SJE/SKC at home and SKC/MIN away. The Red Bulls currently sit at the bottom of the table when it comes to goals scored and goals allowed over the past six. Driussi is Austin’s key man, however, with the berth of attacking options this week it might be more enticing to pick up some Austin defenders. Brad Stuver is a solid keeper and Cascante is the CB of choice here, although his upside is a bit limited.

New England Revolution at Columbus Crew

Adam Buksa left New England a couple of weeks ago and his replacement Vrioni is ready to step into his footsteps. He has his Visa now and has already been training with the team, ahead of a possible debut this weekend:

New England is looking to get back to their 2021 ways with these signings after they’ve been in a bit of a slump to start 2022. 

Columbus is the in-form team here. Cucho Hernandez currently has four goals in 137 minutes of play from ~1xG. Cucho’s emergence has catapulted Zelarayan back into the top tiers of SO5 as well. He’s a top midfielder this weekend. 

We haven’t spent much time on defenders so far because there are no obvious options this weekend. Columbus is one of the better bets here, especially with Josh Williams and Eloy Room.

So there are plenty of choices for you to pick your five players from – and now it’s up to you to decide! Don’t forget to enter before the 11am Friday deadline – and good luck!

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Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

Adam @ Football Trader Adam has been scouting for and trading in football games for far too long and for far too many hours. He has a particular interest in the big 5 European Leagues as well as lesser known ones like the Eredivisie, Primeira Liga and even the MLS. Before he managed to somehow make a living by writing about football, he spent ~10 years as a Ministerial adviser and project/risk manager for the UK Government including the Foreign Office and MOD. When not buried in xG spreadsheets he plays too many computer games, lifts heavy things in the gym and attempts to cultivate a handsome beard.

214 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Meechoo115
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Neco Andreas are great bench options. Three strikers seems impossible so the default seems 442 ….

  2. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    a) Diaz + Haaland
    b) Mahrez + Kane

    1. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A by far

      1. Meechoo115
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Diaz and Kane GW1. Mahrez and Haaland GW2 lol

        Go Diaz and Kane and book in the transfer to Haaland!

  3. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Not seen much love for Kulusevski

    Am I missing something?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Richarlison in the mix now probably is the main reason for that
      But I agree, it's surprising that he isn't more popular.

    2. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      How nailed is he?

    3. Stamford B
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Can’t be considered completely nailed at the moment

    4. F4L
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      gametime concerns

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Neto looking essential here

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I just trialled taking him out for Bailey as well. Then again Alaves are 2nd Tier in Spain.

  5. Skragnarok
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Ederson (4.0)
    Cancelo, Trent, Robertson, Tomiyasu, (Neco)
    Son(C), Diaz,Martinelli,Bruno G,(Andreas)
    Haaland,Jesus (4.5 Archer?)

    Playing around with a no Salah draft and kinda like this. Triple Liv, Man c and Arse and a little bit of a bench to fall back on.

  6. D15jones
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this draft?
    Sanchez
    Trent, Dias, Robbo, James
    Salah, Mount, Sancho, Neto
    Jesus, Vardy

    Steele, Justin, Andreas, Archer

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I would rather get Neco over Justin especially with early wildcard. Then get Sterling over Vardy.

  7. Meechoo115
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Just noticed Spence only 4.5… whoever out of him and Doherty starts is nailed for me

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      that is interesting! 4.5M, could be a steal

      1. Meechoo115
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Expected him to be 5.5

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      yeah, that is gold potential right there

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Spence is probably behind Emerson in the pecking order for now

      1. Meechoo115
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I would say Doherty first surely. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Emerson sold

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          yeah doherty first choice, just with conte today it doesn't sound like signing Spence was his choice so it might take a while for him to given a chance

  8. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A. Messlier and Zincenko
    B. Mendy and Tomi

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

  9. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    cracked it! Risky business with this defence, but high potential in this team

    Sanchez Steele
    James Trippier Spence Dalot Williams
    Salah Diaz Rashford Dasilva Andreas
    Kane Haaland Jesus

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      You know what I'm gonna say 😛

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        "Best team I have ever seen"
        cheers mate

    2. Cheeky Onion
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      How about my threemium:

      Sanchez
      TAA - Cancelo - Cash - Botman
      Salah - Saka - Martinelli - Andres
      Haaland - Kane

      Steele - Neco - Da Silva - Archer

      Leaves 0.5m ITB to hop on a bandwagon to take up last spot in the XI

  10. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on dalot and rashford for combined 11m?

    Thanks

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      good enablers

  11. Leehane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Is there a reason Eriksen isn't getting any love?

    Obviously Utd are a bit of an unknown right now, but I've seen Rashford and Sancho both mentioned plenty.

    1. Cheeky Onion
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He's either going to be playing pretty deep or a substitute for Bruno - not a great recipe for big FPL hauls

      1. Leehane
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        We think he's gone there to be on the bench? Hmm. I'd be surprised.

        1. Stamford B
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Me too

        2. Cheeky Onion
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          If not on bench, then playing in a deeper role which isn't a position that offers many FPL returns. I don't get why United signed him to be honest - can't imagine Bruno and him playing together and don't see Bruno getting benched. McFred combined couldn't do much to protect their back line, so one of them paired with Erikson surely won't do much better. Screams depth signing to me.

    2. Stamford B
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He’s in my team but it’s more of a guess at this stage.

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      just have to wait and see how Ten Haag uses him, with Sancho/Rashford you know they'll be in the front 3 and getting in the box consistently

  12. Cheeky Onion
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Robbo, Chilwell, Neto

    B) TAA, Cash/Trippier/Zinchenko, Martinelli

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B with Tripps

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      think taa is worth .5 over Robbo, but then prefer Chilwell/Neto, not sure Martinelli is a starter

      1. Cheeky Onion
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Would you do B with Neto over Martinelli and bank/reinvest the 0.5?

  13. Stamford B
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Any Utd fans care to predict the first 11 and formation if there’s no more ins and outs as it stands?

    1. Stamford B
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Man Utd thst is

    2. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Not a united fan however assume out of the fantasy assets:

      Sancho nailed. Bruno nailed but expensive.

      Dalot. Martial. Rashford wait and see but could start season

      Can’t see how Eriksen nailed

    3. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Arsenal Fan.

      DDG
      Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Martinez

      Fred, Bruno, Donny

      Sancho, Ronaldo, Martial

  14. RWB_1991
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Trent & Jacob Ramsey
    B) Cash & Diaz