MLS fantasy soccer can be a tricky thing to predict. Day 1 of the season has generally showcased the potential for the better-known sides to rack up the three points.
But at what cost to your fantasy team’s scores? The big stars were, generally speaking, not on their finest day as the Western Conference games got started.
Here’s which players impressed, who didn’t and what you should do next for your draft.
Week 1 Top Performers in the Western Conference
Hugo Lloris – Los Angeles FC – 22.5 points
I predicted the former France international will feel like he has something to prove this season. And that’s precisely the way that Hugo Lloris played on the opening day against Minnesota United.
With opponents much feistier than expected, it was up to Lloris to make two quality saves and keep a clean sheet, which helped start the season right for one of the top sides in the Western Conference.
Jayden Nelson – Vancouver Whitecaps – 33.6 points
Whoever claimed that MLS games were predictable and unexciting? Anyone who still believes this should have been present in Portland last Sunday.
The hosts, coached by former Manchester United defender Phil Neville, got thrashed 4-1.
It was Jayden Nelson who most often took the Timbers’ defence apart. Nelson provided a hat-trick of assists and one goal for himself. Clearly, he’s one of the strikers to watch this season.
George Campbell – Montreal Impact – 18.5 points
Yes, 18.5 isn’t the kind of score that makes you want to send in fan mail. Regardless, Campbell had a much better game than his colleagues in defence.
The 23-year-old American was a menace down the right flank. He provided a goal assist. And he seems to be one of the few Montreal players who can excel in this 3-5-2 system implemented by Laurent Courtois.
Daniel – San Jose Earthquakes – 34.5 points
Yes, I admit it. I was off on my prediction for San Jose’s match against Salt Lake and had this as an easy win for the away team.
Instead, the Earthquakes brushed the opposition aside. It was 4-0 by the time of the final whistle.
Still, a lot of that is due to Brazilian goalkeeper Daniel, who was commanding against Salt Lake’s numerous set pieces and kept an important clean sheet here.
By the way, did you know that picking Daniel is free in FootballCoin?
Week 1 Top Disappointments in the Western Conference
Kamal Miller – Portland Timbers – -0.45 points
Miller got his marching papers early into the game against Vancouver. By the 11th minute, he was off. His team got pummelled, and Miller received the rare negative score in MLS fantasy soccer. A day to forget, surely!
Marco Reus – LA Galaxy – 7.6 points
Reus won his professional league title as a footballer when he joined LA Galaxy last season. He’ll need to do much better if he and the team want to have any chance of repeating the feat.
The German attacking midfielder was slow, uninspired, and inefficient. He was hooked out in the 72nd minute, but things stayed as bad, with San Diego FC coming out 2-0 winners.
Ethan Bartlow – Houston Dynamo – 7.5 points
Houston tried to keep the game against Dallas close. It was nearly working. But Bartlow’s hideous mistake on the first FC Dallas game signalled the beginning of the end for Dynamo
Wilfried Zaha – Charlotte FC – n/a
Zaha missed his much-awaited MLS debut. Personal reasons were to blame, so there’s no reason to get worked up over this. Still, that should make you think carefully the next time you
