MLS Fantasy 2018: Gameweek 1 Preview - Sporting Kansas vs. NYCFC
MLS returns this weekend with 10 matches kicking off the 2018 campaign, and for many Fantasy players, we're nearing the business end of picking our teams. Ahead of the new season we will be previewing games, with an eye at looking at who will be playing for MLS Fantasy players, in hope of aiding their selection for the highly anticipated first Gameweek of the season. This preview focuses on Sporting Kansas City's home fixture against New York City FC. All aboard.
MLS Fantasy: Gameweek 1
For us in the UK, the first game of the weekend starts at 6pm, with current Supporters' Shield winners and MLS Cup holders Toronto FC going up against Columbus Crew.
Three teams will be missing this weekend, with Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, and New York Red Bulls, omitted from the discussion this week. You can check out the fixture list below.
You can also read all of our MLS Fantasy articles on our specialist page, by clicking here.
Gameweek 1: Sporting Kansas City vs. New York City FC
Gameweek 1 sees a fixture which can best be described as 'attack vs. defence', with Sporting Kansas City hosting Patrick Vieira's New York City FC side.
Sporting only conceded 29 goals last season in the regular season, the least of any MLS side in the regular season, and in MLS Fantasy terms their defensive assets are adored. Zusi and Opara in particular are top-billing defensive options and should probably be considered from the first kick of the season, though they open their campaign up against a side that is probably favourites to win the Supporters' Shield with Toronto, and against the best player in the league, forward David Villa.
Kansas have a good run of consistent fixtures, featuring in all of the first ten Gameweek's, and this week looks set to provide an interesting encounter set around Fantasy wits. Do you go for Sporting's defence, Villa, both, or none?
The encounter between the sides last season was won by a single goal, so this East vs. West clash could follow suit once more, and with it being the beginning of the season, it is probably best to back on at least one option from this game, just as the likes of Opara and David Villa will be highly selected.
2017 Results: SKC/NYC
September 6th 2017 - New York City FC 1-0 Sporting Kansas
Sporting Kansas City
Manager: Peter Vermes
Likely Formation: 4-3-3
Starting 11
Goalkeeper
GK - Tim Melia - $6.0 million
Defender's
LB - Cristian Lobato - $6.0 million (listed as a Midfielder)
CB - Matt Besler - $6.0 million
CB - Ike Opara - $6.0 million
RB - Graham Zusi - $6.0 million
Midfielder's
CM/CDM - Illie Sanchez - $8.0 million
CM - Felipe Gutierrez - $8.0 million
CM - Roger Espinoza - $7.5 million
LW - Yohan Croizet - $8.5 million
RW - Johnny Russell - $7.5 million
Forward
CF - Diego Rubio - $8.0 million
Remaining Squad
Goalkeeper's
GK - Eric Dick - $4.0 million
GK - Adrian Zendejas - $4.0 million
Defender's
LB - Seth Sinovic - $5.5 million
RB - Colton Storm - $4.5 million
CB - Brad Evans - $5.0 million
CB - Seth Sinovic - $5.0 million
CB - Amer Didic - $4.5 million
CB - Jaylin Lindsey - $4.0 million
Midfielder's
CM - Jimmy Medranda - $6.5 million
CDM - James Musa - $5.0 million
CF - Daniel Salloi - $5.5 million (listed as a Midfielder)
Forward's
LW - Gerso Fernandes - $7.5 million
LW - Khiry Shelton - $6.5 million
LW - Kharlton Belmar - $4.5 million
CF - Gianluca Busio - $4.0 million
New York City FC
Manager: Patrick Vieira
Likely Formation: 4-3-3
Starting 11
Goalkeeper
GK - Sean Johnson - $5.5 million
Defender's
LB - Ronald Matarrita - $5.5 million
CB - Alexander Callens - $5.5 million
CB - Maxime Chanot - $5.5 million
RB - Anton Tinnerholm - $5.0 million
Midfielder's
CM - Alexander Ring - $8.0 million
CM - Yangel Herrera - $6.5 million
CAM - Maxi Moralez - $9.5 million
LW - Rodney Wallace - $7.5 million
RW - Jesus Medina - $9.0 million
Forward
CF - David Villa - $11.0 million
Remaining Squad
Goalkeeper's
GK - Jeff Caldwell - $4.0 million
GK - Andre Rawls - $4.5 million
GK - Brad Stuver - $4.5 million
Defender's
LB - Ben Sweat - $4.5 million
RB - Saad Abdul-Salaam - $4.5 million
CB - Cedric Hountondji - $5.0 million
CB - Sebastien Ibeagha - $4.5 million
Midfielder's
CDM - James Sands - $4.5 million
CM - Ebenezer Ofori - $6.0 million
CM - Kwame Awuah - $4.5 million
LW - Thomas McNamara - $6.5 million
Forward's
RW - Ismael Tajouri - $7.5 million
RW - Jonathan Lewis - $6.0 million
CF - Jo Inge Berget - $7.5 million
The 2018 MLS Fantasy Season
MLS returns on Saturday March 3rd 2018, and you can join our very own MLS Fantasy League by clicking here, or alternatively by using the league code RDPUAHR2 whilst on the MLS Fantasy site, or checking out our pinned tweet on our @HypeTrainMLS Twitter account. We'd love to have you aboard for the ride.
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The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015, specialising in the Fantasy Premier League (#FPL), providing beautiful graphics and weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb ranking tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review movies, live sport, and professional wrestling.
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All aboard.
