Fantasy Soccer Advice

Fantasy: The MVPs of the 2017 season

David Villa - New York City FC - Fantasy


Reid, Mike, Jason are joined by their special guest, Tim Shaw from Soccer Captains to break down the LAST round of the 2017 Fantasy season. They give a complete review of Round 32 and touch on all the teams that could be benching players as they rest for the playoffs. They also take some time to reminisce about the old background of the MLS Digital Studio and listen to Tim drop some serious Red Bull names. Itā€™s a must listen before Decision Day!



After 32 rounds of exciting MLS Fantasy action, weā€™ve finally come to the end of the regular season. Decision Day presented by AT&T is set to kickoff at 4 pm ET on Sunday, with all 22 clubs playing at the same time. Donā€™t expect this to be a boring day of soccer though because many teams are still jockeying for a higher position in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs or that last spot in the West. To help celebrate this great day, all of the fantasy writers and I voted on who we thought deserved to be on the 2017 MLS Fantasy MVP team.


I asked each author to pick two keepers, five defenders, five midfielders, and three forwards. I then tallied up the results and put together a game legal formation. Price and budget were not factors and there was no set criteria for how MVP players were selected. Reasons ranged from simple total points to the ability to shift money from your bench to the field. It was wide open. Below is the final MVP team and the individual selections from each author.


2017 MLS Fantasy MVP Team

Fantasy: The MVPs of the 2017 season - https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/images/MLS-Fantasy-2017-MVP-Team.jpg?_ZVNY6HzeFfJcuQ.NPqM02atYZxrlm2.

Keepers


While not the highest scoring players, both Tim Melia (SKC, $5.8) and Alex Bono (TOR, $5.7)  have racked up an impressive 10 clean sheets so far this season and have come up with numerous saves when their teams needed them the most. It was a tough call to give Bono the backup spot, but the amazing year Toronto has had was the deciding factor.


Defenders


Itā€™s great to see this mix of players as it reflects both strategies defenders offer to fantasy managers. Justin Morrow (TOR, $7.5) and Joevin Jones (SEA, $6.1) represent the offensively minded players who excel at enhancing the attacking potential of a team and earning extra offensive points. Ike Opara (SKC, $6.5) and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (ATL, $7.7), on the other hand, are the steadfast center backs who rack up defensive bonus points every time they step on the field. All four represent the best of each category.


On the bench we have Jimmy Medranda (SKC, $6.0). He was a reliable source for clean sheet points even when his team gave up a goal which going forward will be known as #TheMedranda.


Midfielders


Beyond one name, I had no idea who would be selected for this position because there were so many quality midfielders all season, but this mix is excellent. We have the front runner for league MVP, the most reliable player from the best team of 2017, the player with the second-best double-game week score in recent history, and the player who singlehandedly carried LA for most of the season. The battle for the bench spot was no easier, but Lee Nguyenā€™s (NE, $11.2) reliable home form was what made the difference.


Forwards


When justifying his selections Andrew said ā€œHow lucky are we to be able to see David Villa (NYC, $12.3) play every week?ā€ Thatā€™s true, and I think many of us will remember his long distance goal for some time to come, but Iā€™d go one step further. Letā€™s not forget Nemanja Nikolic ($10.8) helping Chicago turn their season around and earn the Golden Boot in the process or the feeling we all get when we wonder how many goals Josef Martinez (ATL, $9.8) could score if healthy for a full season.


How lucky were we, as Fantasy Managers, to have the change to take advantage of all the pints these players produced.


  • Unanimous Picks: Melia, Opara, Gonzalez Pirez, Valeri, Allessandrini, and Villa
  • Most Contested Spot: A six way tie for backup keeper
  • Most Nominations: Defender and Midfielder with Nine
  • Total Team Value = $134.1


Author Nominations


Reid Connelly


GK: Melia, Cropper


DEF: Jones, Yotun, Gonzalez Pirez, Opara, Medranda


MID: Valeri, Alessandrini, Asad, Piatti, Vazquez


FWD: Villa, Nikolic, Martinez


Travis Luscombe


GK: Melia, Bono


DEF: Opara, Gonzalez Pirez, Morrow, Callens, Medranda


MID: Valeri, Alessandrini, Nguyen, Vazquez, Piatti


FWD: Villa, Nikolic, O. Kamara


Schuyler Redpath


GK: Melia, Blake


DEF: Gonzalez Pirez, Morrow, Opara, Jones, Yotun


MID: Valeri, Lodeiro, Alessandrini, Piatti, Nguyen


FWD: Villa, Martinez, Giovinco


Blayne Riffle


GK: Melia, Robles


DEF: Opara, Callens, Morrow, Gonzalez Pirez, Jones


MID: Valeri, Piatti, Vazquez, Nguyen, Alessandrini


FWD: Villa, Nikolic, Sapong


Andrew Winner


GK: Melia, Guzan


DEF: Medranda, Morrow, Gonzalez Pirez, Kappelhof, Jones


MID: Valeri, Vazquez, Alessandrini, Piatti, Tabla


FWD: Villa, Martinez, Nikolic


Jason Wiscovitch


GK: Melia, Frei


DEF: Jones, Opara, Gonzalez Pirez, Morrow, Jungwirth


MID: Valeri, Rusnak, Vazquez, Alessandrini, Lodeiro


FWD: Villa, Nikolic, O. Kamara


WHICH PLAYERS would you include in your MLS Fantasy MVP team? Post them in the comments below and let us know what you think about our choices.


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