MLS Fantasy is back for another season, so fill your roster with as many valuable players as you can. This season you take charge of a club with $120,000,000 to hire players. For those who are unaware, MLS fantasy is very similar to fantasy football. Each team is allowed two goalkeepers, six defenders and midfielders, and four forwards for a total of 18 players. Players are assigned monetary values based on how successful they have been in the past, and team owners are tasked with creating a roster of 18 players on that $120,000,000 budget. Each week, the owner selects his starting 11, take the field and score points throughout the weekend's action. The highest point totals at the end of the season wins prizes from MLS.
It might sound easy, but winning takes a lot of skill and luck. The biggest names can cost over $10,000,000 alone. Finding the right balance of veteran superstars and emerging talents is required. Given the monetary ceiling designated, it is impossible to fill a team with MLS All-Stars. Rather, owners must be smart and cautious with how they draft. As the season progresses, player values will fluctuate, a few good weeks will drive up the price and potentially raise the spending power of your club.
Here are a few tips, tricks, and traps to keep an eye on.
Useful Tips: It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of picking your team and make mistakes. So, keep these helpful hints in mind.
-Be careful with national teamers. They tend to miss time with call-ups since MLS doesn’t always honor the international breaks. It’s also extra games on tired legs.
-All 18 players can’t take the field. A balanced roster might look good, but money sitting on the bench is money not scoring points.
-Bye weeks are a killer, plan ahead. Too many players resting at home may leave a starting lineup a man short.
-Watch the weekly matchups. Your best forward going against your best goalkeeper means someone will not reach their full potential.
Value players: These players aren't at the top of everyone's wish list, but help to round out a complete team and can lead you on to victory.
Steven Vitoria – Defender, Philadeliphia Union, $7.5m. This former Benfica center back should be starting every game for Philadelphia this season.
Michael Harrington – Defender, Colorado Rapids, $5.5m. From Sporting Kansas City to Portland Timbers to Colorado, this right back is a steal at $5.5 and looks to start most games.
Kristian Nemeth – Forward, Sporting KC, $7.5m. This newcomer to MLS is tearing up the preseason on a potent offense. Working the stellar KC offense promises lots of opportunities and his finish has been there.47.0
Nick DeLeon – Midfielder, DC United, $6.5m. DeLeon leads all midfielders in scoring at this salary point by a nice margin. He is well worth picking up to save room for a few bigger names.
Quincy Amarikwa, Fwd, Chicago Fire, $7.0m. Amarikwa might be the biggest sleeper in fantasy this season. Last season he outscored every midfielder currently valued at $9.0m or lower. Talk about a steal.
Potential Trap Players: While these players might look great on paper, in reality they may not be all they're cracked up to be in fantasy.
Graham Zusi – Midfielder, Sporting KC, $10.5m. Zusi is a spectacular player, but missed the January USMNT Camp with an injury. Additionally, Zusi is a likely call-up for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July, which could lead to him missing a few more weeks of the season. He is also prone to having the occasional dry spell.
New England Revolution Forwards – With the addition of Juan Agudelo, playing time is not guaranteed for any in the group.
Bradley Wright-Phillips – Forward, New York Red Bulls, $10.5m. A relative unknown last year with a decent price tag, Bradley Wright-Phillips ended up tying the single season scoring title and his new value reflects that. The Red Bulls have lost a few key pieces and their coach. While a tempting pickup, it is still unknown if he will continue to find the net.
Osvaldo Alonso – Midfielder, Seattle Sounders, $9.0m. A tenacious midfielder with a bit of a temper, but the price tag just doesn’t justify the output. There are several cheaper options that scored more points last season.
Jose Goncalves – Defender, NE Revolution, $9.0m. Goncalves played in MLS Cup and looks good on paper, but don’t forget NE gave up its fair share of goals last season in the prolonged slump.
Aurellien Collin – Defender, Orlando City, $8.5m. Collin is in a new city with a new team that is yet unproven. His rise came as part of one the best defenses in MLS, but can he keep up the production without the support he had in KC?