MLS Fantasy 2018: Gameweek 1 - Fantasy Forecast
Ahead of each Gameweek in MLS Fantasy the Hype Train provides its informative Fantasy Forecast, where the three members of the Hype Team will duel for MLS supremacy in predicting scores, as well as going head to head in picking a Scout Picks squad for the relevant Gameweek. In addition, we give our insight into who are the players to watch and those to drop, as well as providing insight into captaincy picks, differential players for the week, and more. Welcome to the Forecast. All aboard.
MLS Fantasy: Gameweek Deadline
For the 2018 MLS Fantasy season there is a 'Rolling Lockout', which means you can make substitutions and transfers until the second a player's game kicks off, which means you can chop and change your lineup as any Gameweek progresses.
You can view the schedule and a real time Gameweek deadline countdown clock (in the London GMT timezone) on our dedicated MLS Fantasy page.
How does our Forecasting work?
The Hype Team will compete in a weekly head to head dual of wits. The 3 members of the team will provide weekly insight for the Gameweek ahead, providing score predictions, a Scout Picks squad that follows MLS Fantasy rules, and will provide what insight they can for the fixtures at hand.
MLS Fixture Prediction: As pundits, we are testing our football acumen with MLS predictions and will be providing regular updated tables and stats in each edition of the MLS Forecast. A perfect score is worth 3 points whilst a correct result is worth 1 point. An incorrect score is worth nothing.
Blank Box: We've left an open space for the team to write that helps with the Gameweek hustle; identifying captaincy picks, transfers, attacking options, clean sheet potential, teams to look our for and avoid, differential players, as well as general analysis and comments.
Scout Picks: Picking a squad of 15 for a single Gameweek, without any budget, using the rules of MLS Fantasy - formations, captains and vice captains, and the player limits of 3 per club, and each team must pick a Captain.
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 1
Toronto FC 2-0 Columbus Crew
Houston Dynamo 1-1 Atlanta United
Philadelphia Union 1-0 New England Revolution
Orlando City 2-1 D.C. United
FC Dallas 1-1 Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 Minnesota United
Seattle Sounders 3-1 Los Angeles FC
Vancouver Whitecaps 1-2 Montreal Impact
Sporting Kansas City 1-2 New York City FC
LA Galaxy 2-2 Portland Timbers
Blank Box: Gameweek 1
This is my first week in the MLS Fantasy scene, and I am not going to lie, I have only been guided by the help of my brother. I am aiming to learn the MLS week in, week out. My advice has been to keep it simple and trust the best players in week one. If you felt frustrated picking your team for the first time I am with you there, but after much deliberation I have settled on a group of players who I believe will be the best choices in the wild west rodeo of the MLS Fantasy.
The scout picks team is based off my actual team to ensure that for this week alone the team goes below the salary cap of $100mil. Sebastian Giovinco is my captain because he is on set piece duties for Toronto, a goal scorer, and has been in-form during the CONCACAF Champions League fixtures. Buckle up.
MLS Fantasy Scout Picks: Gameweek 1
Overall Squad Value: $100.0m
Formation: 3-4-3
Starting 11
GK: Joe Bendik (ORL)
DEF: Chris Mavinga (TOR)
DEF: Marco Farfan (POR)
DEF: Tony Alfaro (SEA)
MID: Miguel Almiron (ATL)
MID: Romain Alessandrini (GAL)
MID: Anthony Fontana (PHI)
MID: Saphire Taider (MTL)
FOR: Sebastian Giovinco (TOR) - (C)
FOR: David Villa (NYCFC)
FOR: Will Bruin (SEA)
Substitutes
GK: Jeff Caldwell (NYC)
MID: Alphonso Davies (VAN)
DEF: George Malki (HOU)
DEF: Matt Lewis (SKC)
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 1
Toronto FC 3-0 Columbus Crew
Houston Dynamo 1-2 Atlanta United
Philadelphia Union 2-1 New England Revolution
Orlando City 2-0 D.C. United
FC Dallas 2-0 Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 Minnesota United
Seattle Sounders 4-1 Los Angeles FC
Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 Montreal Impact
Sporting Kansas City 1-2 New York City FC
LA Galaxy 2-1 Portland Timbers
MLS Fantasy Scout Picks: Gameweek 1
Overall Squad Value: $100.0m
Formation: 3-4-3
Starting 11
GK: Zack Steffen (COL)
DEF: Chris Mavinga (TOR)
DEF: Marco Farfan (POR)
DEF: Auro (TOR)
MID: Yoshimar Yotún (ORL)
MID: Romain Alessandrini (GAL)
MID: Anthony Fontana (PHI)
MID: Danny Hoesen (SJE)
FOR: Sebastian Giovinco (TOR)
FOR: David Villa (NYCFC)
FOR: Clint Dempsey (SEA) - (C)
Substitutes
GK: Calle Brown (SEA)
MID: Jacori Hayes (FCD)
DEF: Ashley Cole (GAL)
DEF: Hugo Arellano (GAL)
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 1
Toronto FC 2-0 Columbus Crew
Houston Dynamo 1-2 Atlanta United
Philadelphia Union 2-0 New England Revolution
Orlando City 1-0 D.C. United
FC Dallas 1-2 Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 Minnesota United
Seattle Sounders 4-0 Los Angeles FC
Vancouver Whitecaps 0-0 Montreal Impact
Sporting Kansas City 0-1 New York City FC
LA Galaxy 1-2 Portland Timbers
Blank Box: Gameweek 1
I'm massively excited for MLS this season and I think that the Bonus Point system is much better than its FPL counterpart. We've lots and lots of articles to get you going if you're looking to get into MLS, so there's no better time than to dive in right now.
Teams to look out for:
San Jose Earthquakes - They're playing the worst team in the league at home and aren't half-bad themselves.
Toronto - The champs look solid defensively and going forward against a Crew side without some of its major players.
Atlanta - A very good attack should spell success wherever it goes.
Seattle Sounders - Playing LAFC in their very first match at home, I'm expecting a comfortable home win.
Real Salt Lake - They're being heavily tipped to succeed this season, and after watching Dallas in the Champions League, they might be pipped here.
Portland - They are a wildcard team as in they have a new manager, but they'e got solid foundations going forward.
Captaincy:
I've loaded my actual team with the captaincy options for this week, which you can read below.
MLS Fantasy Scout Picks: Gameweek 1
Overall Squad Value: $100.0m
Formation: 3-4-3
Starting 11
GK: Joe Bendik (ORL)
DEF: Auro (TOR)
DEF: Nick Lima (SJE)
DEF: Chad Marshall (SEA)
MID: Nicolas Lodeiro (SEA) - (C)
MID: Romain Alessandrini (GAL)
MID: Anthony Fontana (PHI)
MID: Danny Hoesen (SJE)
FOR: Sebastian Giovinco (TOR)
FOR: Josef Martinez (ATL)
FOR: Will Bruin (SEA)
Substitutes
GK: Called Brown (NYC)
DEF: Marco Farfan (POR)
DEF: Brett Levis (VAN)
MID: L. Fraser (TOR)
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Want to know more about The Hype Train?
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.
As well as providing FPL articles on our website, we are a founding Contributor to the new Fantasy Football Hub, where you can find more unique articles, including weekly Power Rankings, from The Hype Team. You can support us and read exclusive members only content for just £2 per-month by clicking here.
The Hype Train were nominated and shortlisted for the 'Best Football Blog 2016' by the Football Bloggers Association at their annual Football Blogging Awards (The FBA's), with the final presentation held at Old Trafford in Manchester.
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All aboard.
