A Beginner’s Guide to MLS Fantasy

If you’re thinking about sitting down to pay MLS Fantasy for the first time, let me be one of the first to say WELCOME to our fantastic community. If it looks a little different from other fantasy games that you have played, you’re right, but that’s no reason to be intimidated. This beginner’s guide will help you better understand some of the game basics and frequently used MLS Fantasy lingo.

What is MLS Fantasy

MLS Fantasy (FMLS) is a game where you assemble a virtual team of Major League Soccer players. Each week, you earn points based on your players’ real-life performances in matches, and compete against other managers for the highest score.

MLS Fantasy lets you pick 18 new players weekly. Your team’s performance affects your budget. This impacts signing top players. Player costs also change based on performance. So, watch your funds!

The MLS Fantasy scoring system awards points to players based on their real-life on-field actions. Players earn or lose points for goals, assists, clean sheets, cards, and other key actions.

How to get started

First, head over to fantasy.mlssoccer.com and create an account.
Second, select your first team OR auto fill your initial team so you’re able to browse and get familiar with the site.

The Jargon

Chalk: A player who is expected to be so popular that his effective ownership is practically 100%.
Double Game Week (DGW): Rounds where a team plays twice and players can earn points for each match.
Scrub: A player who is guaranteed not to play. This can be due to a by round, injury, international call-up, or no longer being in the league.
Differential: A player who is not owned by many managers but could score higher than expected.
Switcheroo: A fantasy tactic that allows you to preview the points of field player on your bench before you decide if you want to sub in a field player who will not play that round.
Keeperoo: Similar to the switcheroo but for your keeper.
Autoroo: A fantasy formation tactic that will automatically sub in the three best performing field players from your bench so you can earn their points.

Even More Jargon

The Medranda: A reference to a former MLS defender who was frequently subbed out before his team conceded a goal, but after earning his clean sheet bonus. NOTE: this is no longer possible in the current MLS Fantasy game but people still mention it.
Fantasy Mullet: A formation tactic that focuses on keeping your attack lean (business in the front) and having five point earning defenders (the party in the back). Managers usually use this on rounds where many top players are missing and expect low scores.
Out of Position (OOP): Players whose position classification in MLS Fantasy does not match the position they play in real-life. This is most valuable when defenders are playing in the attack.
Because MLS: An unexpected or unfortunate fantasy or real-life game result.
- “That guy has not played all year and of course he comes in the first game I have his as a scrub. Ungh, Because MLS”
You can find definitions for more commonly used fantasy phrases at the MLSFB Discord Glossary.

Other Beginner Tips

Join the MLS Fantasy Boss Discord. Get access to all the tips and advice from some of the best players in the game (not required but definitely a big help).
Listen to the Weekly MLS Fantasy Insider (MLSFI) podcast to get feedback about the previous fantasy round and advice on early player targets.