2018 Round 1 Captain’s conundrum

It’s captain poll time for Round 1! Don’t forget, the first transfer deadline is, Saturday the 3rd at 1:00pm EST.

Ahead of the opening week of the MLS season, I have taken a look at the best options to make your Fantasy captain this week. Deciding on who you should hand the armband to in week one may be the difference between challenging at the top of your league, or sinking to the bottom of the table. Here’s my top four picks for this week.

Round 1 Captain’s conundrum Picks

Nicolas Lodeiro

Seattle Sounders FC – Midfielder – Value $11M- Vs LAFC

Lodeiro and Seattle Sounders come into Week one’s game against Los Angeles on the back of a huge blow. With the news released this week that last years Rookie of the year Jordan Morris is out for the season with an ACL tear. So Seattle fans and his coach will be looking to Lodeiro to keep up his excellent form, from last year. Which saw the Uruguayan average 9.55 points for the Sounders, leading them to the final of the MLS Cup last year. At $11 million the midfielder is a high value player, however the Sounders are clear favorites against a LA side who will play their first MLS fixture at the weekend. Loderio will be looking to take advantage of LA’s lack of defensive cohesion, which has been clear in preseason. LAFC have conceded an average of 1.75 goals during their four preseason matches.  While Seattle’s attacking threat was on display over their seven preseason games scoring on average 2.8 goals a game. Lodeiro will be hoping to start the season well and I expect him and Seattle, with the home advantage, to perform well against LAFC

 

CJ Sapong  

Philadelphia Union – Forward – Value $9.5M– Vs New England

CJ Sapong will fancy his chances to get on the score sheet in week one. The forward matches up against a defense which was one of the leakiest back lines in the league last year. New England gave up 61 goals last season an average of 1.8 goals a game. While last year Sapong had one of the best seasons of his career scoring 16 goals in 33 appearances, and is highly tipped to continue his hot streak going in to weak one. The Union forward was in great form in preseason, Sapong scored five goals in seven preseason matches. CJ also scored two penalties which would suggest the forward is on spot kick duties this season which will go a along way in helping him surpass his average points score for last season which was six.

 

Romain Alessandrini

LA Galaxy – Midfielder- Value- $11M- Vs Portland Timbers

The Frenchman is one of the more expensive options you can select in your side. However don’t be put off by the price tag. Alessandrini on average scored an impressive 9.93 points last season, with a seasons high of 19. The winger’s goal contribution for last season was high with a total of 11 assists, making him one of the best attacking players in the MLS. However the Galaxy and Alessandrini will have to be on top form to beat a Portland side whom finished top of the Western Conference last year, but keeping clean sheets was not one of the many strengths the Timbers had. So there should be no reason why the midfielder can’t start the season hot.

 

Stefan Frei – WILD CARD PICK

Seattle Sounders – Goalkeeper – Value – $6M – Vs LAFC

I had liked like Ezequiel Barco for my wildcard pick for captain , however with him picking up an injury this week , which looks like it may keep him out for the opening few games of the MLS. So I had to get my head back in the books and do another round of research. Stefan Frei is not the obvious choice for captain, but that does not necessarily make him a bad choice. With Seattle been firm favorites and LAFC really untested as of yet, there attacking players may need games and time to gel. So I am backing Frei to carry on his and Seattle’s good defensive record which was a very important component to their success last season. They conceded 39 goals which was the second best in the league only better by SKC. So with no real change to that solid defensive back line I am backing the Swiss Keeper and Seattle to keep a clean sheet.

MLSFB 2018 Round 1 Captain Poll

If you still need more tips or want to bounce your captain ideas off other managers, be sure to check out the  MLSFB Live Chat to the right in the sidebar. But before you go, don’t forget to VOTE NOW!