Rate My Team

Welcome to the first of this season’s Rate My Team Surgeries.

These articles will look at initial MLS Fantasy squads and will be published ahead of Gameweek 32. Each time one of the MLS Scout moderator and contributor team will put forward their selection for scrutiny in order to start the discussion.

The aim is to highlight some of the key concerns we have faced in constructing our squads, which hopefully will chime with other MLS Fantasy managers’ issues.

In addition, we want the comment section to provide a useful opportunity for you to submit your own RMTs. Please also be helpful to those asking for advice. The key to successful rating of teams is to give advice as well.

I have drawn the first straw to start off this series with my balanced 4-3-3 selection.

MY TEAM

KEY CONCERNS

My lack of New York City FC or Atlanta United defence is a concern as both sets of players are highly owned. It is the gaping The Bronx Blues shaped hole in my back line that is my biggest issue as Atlanta’s fixtures are not great  for their last two games of the season, coming up against New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC respectively – it is a cause for concern.

A New York City FC back-line double up could be a possibility as I’m not wholly convinced by Oguchi Onyewu or Philadelphia Union or Dave Romney from LA Galaxy. Would I be better off going for the LA guy, or indeed the save points that perhaps I could still get by keeping a hold of Matt Turner from New England Revolution?

NAILED ON PICKS

Flexibility is driving my initial selection – and that for me is why Hector Villalba is nailed on this week. Downgrading an injured or poorly performing Villalba is easy.

Romain Alessandrini looks the best attacking Los Angeles Galaxy option for me and is 4.4 cheaper than the only other one I’d consider – Joao Pedro. The Portuguese International has impressed during the season, for an underperforming LA Galaxy side.

Dominique Badji looks essential for me. Colorado Rapids are among the best FPL resources due to their command of attacking points.

Sebastian Giovinco is going nowhere with Toronto’s fixtures and his strong form. Don’t even attempt to persuade me to ditch him.

THE PUNT

Tim Barker is my main punt. I originally had thought perhaps Vancouver Whitecaps were going to have it tough against New York Red Bulls on the road last weekend and I was proved right. This was seen by their 3-0 loss to the Red Bulls. I am sticking with Barker though as, Vancouver have made the play-offs for the post season and I would like to think that the Whitecaps will be wanting to finish off the season on a high-point.

FORMATION

I’ve tried to construct a team around a four at the back formation but it just doesn’t sit right with this dullard. I favour the attacking prospects of midfielders and strikers over the dull ache of disappointment when a defender loses a clean sheet.

I’m currently favouring 3-4-3 but am willing to swap to 3-5-2 should five viable midfielders emerge and the third striker well dries up completely.