This article is part of our MLS Fantasy Rankings series.
The 20th MLS season is rapidly approaching and we are here to help you prepare for all of your fantasy ventures! While league legends like Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan have retired, a new former Ballon d'Or winner has entered in Orlando City's Kaka and numerous US Men's National Team players have brought their talents back to Major League Soccer. Plenty of other talent has entered the league, ranging from established European players to unknown young Scandinavian and South American players. While we'll dig deeper into all of this in the coming weeks, let's begin with the Top 10 at each position, starting with the forwards.
Notes: I have not taken into account strength of schedule, salary, or potential international duties for these rankings. For instance, you should be aware that US National Team players may not be available during their March camp or the summer Gold Cup. Consider these rankings as a starting point and tailor your choices to whatever fantasy game(s) you prefer.
For simplicity, I have used the 2014 Fantasy MLS positions even if players could be considered at other positions. For players new to the league, I have given my best guess. Also, I've omitted deserving players who aren't coming to MLS or returning from injury until midseason (Diego Valeri, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Cubo Torres).
1. Robbie Keane
Keane may be a step slower and without Landon Donovan this season, but he still tops the list. The Fiery Irishman and 2014 MLS MVP has averaged 19 goals and more than 10 assists over the past three seasons. For his career, he has tallied 53 goals and 35 assists in 84 regular season MLS matches. Emerging star Gyasi Zardes and talented Brazilian Juninho should create plenty of space and opportunity for Keane in the attack, while Steven Gerrard will provide a huge boost when he joins the club in July. Captain Keano may not be as flashy a pick as MLS newcomers David Villa or Sebastian Giovinco, but his proven record on a top team is incredibly appealing as we look to get our fantasy seasons started on the right foot.
It's a pleasant coincidence that Martins, the MLS equivalent of the NFL's Marshawn Lynch, also plays in Seattle. Oba often appears to be the most powerful player on the pitch, despite being listed at just 5'7". Add in a healthy dose of speed, and it's easy to understand why the wily attacker and 2014 MVP runner-up netted 17 goals and 13 assists in his second year with the Sounders. Playing alongside Clint Dempsey doesn't hurt either, and one could argue that the pair have the best chemistry in the league heading into 2015. After winning the Supporters' Shield and US Open Cup in 2014, but being thwarted in their quest for the treble by the Galaxy in the playoffs, Martins and Seattle will be hungry for revenge.
3. David Villa
Perhaps it's crazy to not list Spain's all-time leading goal scorer higher. Villa has had a prolific career both internationally, and in La Liga. After long stops at Valencia and Barcelona, he most recently helped Atletico Madrid steal the Spanish title away from perennial monopolists (or more accurately, duopolists) Barcelona and Real Madrid. He is perhaps the most well-rounded striker on this list. The reason he is behind Keane and Martins is simply that NYC FC is an expansion team and may take a while to get their footing in MLS. Villa does not have nearly as much experience with his teammates, and there are still questions whether Mix Diskerud can be the creator of the NYC FC attack. Until Frank Lampard joins the club in July, Villa will likely have to do much of the heavy lifting himself.
The diminutive Italian's move to MLS from Juventus has created excitement rarely seen in league history. MLS has never witnessed anybody with the combination of speed and technicality that Giovinco wields. Toronto FC broke the bank to acquire him, making him not only the highest paid MLS player, but also the highest paid Italian player anywhere. Unlike David Villa, Giovinco is set to play alongside established talents Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. It would be surprising if Giovinco doesn't lead MLS in drawn fouls, which is notable due to his set piece proficiency. It should be acknowledged that Giovinco and Altidore have spent much more time on the bench than on the pitch in Europe over the past few seasons, which contributes to Giovinco not being higher on the list.
There is a gap between the four players already listed and those that follow. Although BWP tied the MLS goal-scoring record last season with 27, he did so with the help of Thierry Henry. With Henry removed from the picture, and a tumultuous Red Bulls offseason, there are reservations about Wright-Phillips' ability to approach the same numbers. That being said, the Red Bulls are building around their high-scoring Englishman this year, adding quality play-makers to their midfield in the likes of Sacha Kljestan and Felipe Martins. Wright-Phillips proved to be a clinical finisher last season, and a team focused on playing at a higher tempo could benefit him as well. BWP can score in bunches, collecting three hat tricks last season, and certainly should be on your radar entering 2015.
6. Dom Dwyer
Dwyer's goal-scoring presence is seconded only by his social media presence. The energetic young forward for SKC brings speed and finishing ability in buckets. He scored the second-most goals in MLS last year with 22, but only added a single assist and is not much of a factor on set pieces. Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber pull the strings in this offense, and Dwyer is the main beneficiary. There's also cautious optimism surrounding SKC's signing of Krisztian Nemeth, who should bring pace and Dutch Eredivisie experience to whatever role he fills in the offense. 2014 was Dwyer's first year with a full complement of first-team minutes, so expect some growth to his game too. The high goal total, however, feels due for some regression.
If you follow American soccer, Altidore likely needs no introduction. USA's prominent target forward went from dominating the Dutch league to wallowing in the English Premier League with Sunderland. When he left Sunderland this season, he had managed just one goal in 42 league appearances for the club. There is reason for optimism as he returns to MLS, though! When Altidore last appeared in Major League Soccer as a teenager, he collected 15 goals in 37 appearances with the Red Bulls. Additionally, he has 26 goals for the United States in 77 appearances. Further, he will be joining fellow US Men's National Team player Michael Bradley in Toronto. The two have played together often and it's safe to say there is definite chemistry there. There is also the promise of regular playing time, something that Altidore found hard to come by in England. Form is key for Altidore, and it will be surprising if he doesn't eventually find it in Toronto alongside Bradley and the aforementioned Giovinco. You'll want to own him when he does.
Speaking of troubled US National Team players, let's slot Wondo right here behind Altidore. Haunted by missing his opportunity to send the USA past Belgium and into the World Cup quarterfinals, Wondolowski returned to MLS and contributed nine goals and four assists in the final 17 games. In 2012, he set the single-season scoring record recently matched by Bradley Wright-Phillips at 27. That was his third-straight season leading or co-leading MLS in goals. Wondo does not excel at any one particular thing, but he has an uncanny knack for being in the right spot at the right time, and he gives every game a maximum effort. While he has plenty of fans, it's difficult to buy into what might be one of the weakest MLS sides entering the season. If newly-signed speedster Innocent Emeghara can draw some of the opponents' attention and Matias Perez Garcia can provide the play-making ability he flashed over just six games in 2014, Wondolowski could have an outside chance at his fourth Golden Boot.
More commonly referred to as "Pipa," Higuain has been one of the league's best No. 10s since arriving in 2012. Older brother to Serie A star Gonzalo Higuain, Pipa has created 247 scoring chances in his three seasons, tops in the league during that period. He has also notched 27 goals and 23 assists in 71 league matches. You'll undoubtedly see numerous jaw-dropping set piece strikes from Higuain nominated for MLS goal of the week in 2015. It's tough not to like what the Crew are building in Columbus with manager Greg Berhalter and Kei Kamara's MLS return which should provide Pipa with a desperately-needed forward. Ethan Finlay should build on his strong rookie season, and Kristinn Steindorsson's arrival from Sweden might finally take some of the weight off Higuain. While he will likely be used as more of a midfield player, Pipa is certainly worth consideration even if he remains listed as a forward in the Fantasy MLS game.
10. Octavio Rivero
The Whitecaps have added 22 year-old Rivero from the Chilean Primera Division as a designated player to solve their goal-scoring woes. They ranked 14th out of 19 in MLS last year, but were able to get into the playoffs. Rivero made 16 appearances for his Chilean team, scoring 10 goals. While he is a bit of an unknown, respect for manager Carl Robinson's soccer savvy and a clear opportunity for playing time lead to Rivero's place on this list. Pedro Morales is an up-and-coming MLS star in Vancouver's midfield and you have to like their periphery attacking players in Erik Hurtado, Darren Mattocks, Kekuta Manneh, and Mauro Rosales among others. They simply need somebody to be the go-to forward, and Rivero appears to be a strong contender for that role.
Honorable Mentions:Fabian Espindola (DC United), Blas Perez (FC Dallas), Bryan Rochez/Martin Paterson (Orlando City SC), Deshorn Brown (Colorado Rapids), Fanendo Adi (Portland Timbers).
