Reid, Mike and Blayne sit down with Matt Pollard from Last Word on Soccer to talk about which players are the ones to target as we get ready for Round 1. They give out the info for joining leagues, talk about the Auto and Switcheroo, likely CCL impacts on fantasy player choice, and Mike's famous (but not legendary) injury report. They wrap up with a preview of each game for Round 1 and they shed light on how they make their final team sections between recording the show and kickoff. It's a must listen for every players before the season starts.
We’re in our final week of prep before the start of the Spring Season of the 2018 MLS Fantasy game. You’ve read about the new changes, heard about breakout players, and I’ve covered my top lists for goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders. Today we wrap everything up with my top 20 forwards.
As with my previous articles, while making these ranking I looked at 2017 points per 90 minutes played, key passes, shots and player xG expectations.
Elite Producers
Player |
Team |
Price |
|---|---|---|
1. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/ike-opara">S</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/sebastian-giovinco">ebastian Giovinco</a> |
TOR |
$11.0 |
2. <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/david-villa">David Villa</a> |
NYC |
$11.0 |
3. <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/josef-martinez">Josef Martinez</a> |
ATL |
$11.0 |
4. <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/ola-kamara">Ola Kamara</a> |
LA |
$9.5 |
5. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-besler">N</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/nemanja-nikolic">emanja Nikolic</a> |
CHI |
$11.0 |
The cream of the crop. These are the players who are capable of being your go-to forwards each week. After a tough battle, Giovinco takes the top spot over Villa because he still managed to earn almost eight points per game while playing 500-900 fewer minutes than other top forwards. It was easier to slot Martinez in at No. 3 as he’s clearly a top player as long as he stays healthy. Rounding out my top five are Ola Kamara and Nikolic. Fifth may seem low for the 2017 Golden Boot winner, but I believe Kamara is a fantastic value and his potential will be unlocked by a reworked LA Galaxy.
Odds Beaters
Jefferson Savarino | USA Today Sports Images
Player |
Team |
Price |
|---|---|---|
6. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/ike-opara">C</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/clint-dempsey">lint Dempsey</a> |
SEA |
$9.5 |
7. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/justin-morrow">J</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/jefferson-savarino">efferson Savarino</a> |
RSL |
$10.0 |
8. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/leandro-gonzalez-pirez">A</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/alberth-elis">lberth Elis</a> |
HOU |
$9.0 |
9. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/graham-zusi">D</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/dom-dwyer">om Dwyer</a> |
ORL |
$9.0 |
10. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-besler">B</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/bradley-wright-phillips">radley Wright-Phillips</a> |
NY |
$9.5 |
All the players in the bottom half of my top 10 are main goal threats for their teams, but don’t always have as consistent production as the top five. Dempsey gets the No. 6 spot because xG projections suggest he underperformed last season and Seattle still looks dangerous at the start of the season. Savarino joined RSL halfway through the season and could be a leading scorer if his production keeps up. Elis is my favorite forward on the Houston roster, but will likely share some goals. Dwyer and Wright-Phillips round out the top 10 because I believe the changes to their team composition will help their overall production.
Home Picks
Jozy Altidore | USA Today Sports Images
Player |
Team |
Price |
|---|---|---|
11. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/ike-opara">H</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/hector-villalba">ector Villalba</a> |
ATL |
$9.5 |
12. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/justin-morrow">J</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/jozy-altidore">ozy Altidore</a> |
TOR |
$10.5 |
13. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/leandro-gonzalez-pirez">C</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/cj-sapong">J Sapong</a> |
PHI |
$9.5 |
14. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/graham-zusi">M</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/mauro-manotas">auro Manotas</a> |
HOU |
$8.0 |
15. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-besler">Ma</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/maximiliano-urruti">ximiliano Urruti</a> |
DAL |
$9.0 |
16. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/ike-opara">C</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/christian-ramirez">hristian Ramirez</a> |
MIN |
$9.0 |
17. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/justin-morrow">K</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kei-kamara">ei Kamara</a> |
VAN |
$8.5 |
18. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/leandro-gonzalez-pirez">F</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/fanendo-adi">anendo Adi</a> |
POR |
$9.5 |
19. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/graham-zusi">D</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/diego-rossi">iego Rossi</a> |
LAFC |
$9.5 |
20. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-besler">C</a><a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/carlos-vela">arlos Vela</a> |
LAFC |
$10.0 |
This final group of forwards have a lot of potential, but unpredictability makes them more attractive when they are at home. Even then, players like Villalba, Sapong, Urruti and Adi will all have to compete with other top-notch scorers and may often be a secondary option for goal production. LAFC’s new attackers take the last spot as I want to see how the entire team works together before investing that much cash.
These are my top forwards picks for the start of the 2018 season. Is there anyone you think should be here? If so, share your favorites in the comments below.
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