Picking a fresh team is no easy task, but that is the task at hand for the MLS Fantasy Red Line Challenge.
The Red Line Challenge gives new users a shot at winning prizes including gift cards and MLS LIVE subscriptions. The manager with the most points over the last six rounds will win the grand prize of a $200 gift card and a MLS LIVE subscription for 2017.
The new users will have a $120 million budget to work with, less than what many fantasy users currently have. They will have to make some different decisions than season-long fantasy users currently have.
There are several philosophies to use when picking a team, but the most popular is to invest the majority of your budget in attacking players. The harder choice is which formation to use. The decision is usually a 3-4-3 vs a 3-5-2. Forwards have a greater potential for big games compared to midfielders, who generate more consistent points. Let's take a look at a proposed squad.
Starters
Goalkeeper: Joe Bendik ($5.1, ORL) : He's started every game for Orlando and is facing Columbus, who haven't been lighting up scoreboards this year.
Defender: Jonathan Campbell ($5.1, CHI): Chicago's defense at home has been stellar and Campbell is in the middle of it. For the price, he's worth including.
Defender: Axel Sjoberg ($6.1, COL): Has scored the second-most points among defenders this season and faces the league's worst offense in San Jose.
Defender: Keegan Rosenberry ($5.7 PHI): Hasn't missed a minute all season, allowing him to be a top 10 defender despite his low price.
Midfielder: Kaká ($11.8, ORL): Kaká has the potential to dazzle on any given day and a home game against struggling Columbus is just the match-up he needs.
Midfielder: Diego Valeri ($11.3, POR): Valeri has the third-most points among all players this season, making him a must-have in any lineup.
Midfielder: Nicolas Lodeiro ($12.1, SEA): Lodeiro may be a serious contender for Newcomer of the Year if he can help Seattle make the playoffs. He's also a fantasy scoring machine, averaging 9.3 points per game, more than even Sebastian Giovinco.
Midfielder: Osvaldo Alonso ($9.2, SEA): Alonso doesn't typically dazzle with big point totals, but he's consistent. His 164 points this season are fourth-most among midfielders.
Forward: Bradley Wright-Phillips ($11.9, NY): With Giovinco injured and David Villa's minutes being monitored, BWP is the best striker out there. He has averaged more than 10 points per game over his last five games.
Forward:Cyle Larin ($9.6, ORL): He's a proven striker who faces a weak defense this week. With Kaká pulling the strings, this tandem should be golden.
Forward: Joao Plata ($9.7, RSL): Plata or Yura Movsisyan could easily fill the last spot, but Plata gets the nod since he is subbed less often and should be taking penalty kicks.
Subtotal: $97.2
For the starting 11, you have six great attacking players, one consistent point scorer in Alonso, and a budget defense that can hold their own. This roster runs a 3-4-3 which is weighted a little heavier on luck with the boom or bust scoring habits of forwards, but it's the way to strike it big.
Subs
Goalkeeper: Joe Willis ($4.8, HOU)
Defender: London Woodberry ($4.7, NE)
Defender: Aaron Guillen ($4.0, DAL)
Midfielder: Alex Muyl ($4.6, NY)
Forward: Fabian Herbers ($4.6, PHI)
Subtotal: $22.7
The substitute list is minimal at best. You've got three options that see some minutes in case a sub is needed, but the bulk of the money is featured in the first 11.
Total: $119.9
For the Red Line Challenge, it's all about winning now. This team is set up to score big points now, but is a dream going forward through the remainder of the season.
