MLS Fantasy 2018: Gameweek 1 Preview - FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake

MLS returns this weekend with 10 matches kicking off the 2018 campaign, and for many Fantasy players, we're nearing the business end of picking our teams. Ahead of the new season we will be previewing games, with an eye at looking at who will be playing for MLS Fantasy players, in hope of aiding their selection for the highly anticipated first Gameweek of the season. This preview focuses on FC Dallas's home fixture against Real Salt Lake. All aboard.

MLS Fantasy: Gameweek 1

For us in the UK, the first game of the weekend starts at 6pm, with current Supporters' Shield winners and MLS Cup holders Toronto FC going up against Columbus Crew.

Three teams will be missing this weekend, with Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, and New York Red Bulls, omitted from the discussion this week. You can check out the fixture list below.

You can also read all of our MLS Fantasy articles on our specialist page, by clicking here.

Gameweek 1: FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake

To kick off the season, an all Western Conference tie between Dallas and Real Salt Lake kicks us off, with both teams harbouring realistic aims of qualifying for the post-season playoffs.

Travelling side, Real Salt Lake, ended the 2017 season in fine form and Mike Petke's side probably come into the opening match as favourites against a Dallas side who were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League against Tauro FC on away goals, despite a 3-2 home victory.

RSL have a mix of youth and MLS experience, with depth in experience coming from Goalkeeper, Nick Rimando, and club captain Kyle Beckerman. RSL lost on both occasions to Dallas last season, but that was before Petke took over, with RSL losing only 3 of their final 15 matches of the season, so head into the season looking to pick up where they left off from.

If you're on the look out for Fantasy options from this match, Rusnak for RSL looks a tempting bet if you're willing to venture from picking a Valeri or Almiron. The left-back situation at RSL is also one to keep an eye on, with $4.5 million Demar Phillips likely to start, and is by far the cheapest route into any Fantasy team for Gameweek 1.

For Dallas, Urruti looks a decent bet for any players looking for a Forward around the $9.0 million mark. New signing Santiago Mosquera will likely make an immediate debut on the left-wing and is one to keep an eye on.

This encounter of Western rivals looks to be a very interesting match on paper, which is making a definiete conclusion hard to draw, but we've slightly favouring RSL to pull off an opening day upset away from home.

2017 Results: FCD/RSL

May 6th 2017: Real Salt Lake 0-3 FC Dallas

June 6th 2017: FC Dallas 6-2 Real Salt Lake

FC Dallas

Manager: Óscar Pareja

Likely Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting 11

Goalkeeper

GK - Jesse Gonzalez - $5.5 million

Defender's

LB - Anton Nedyalkov - $5.5 million

CB - Reto Ziegler - $5.5 million

CB - Matt Hedges - $5.5 million

RB - Reggie Cannon - $5.0 million

Midfielder's

CM/CDM - Carlos Gruezo - $7.0 million

CM/CDM - Victor Ulloa - $6.5 million

LM - Santiago Mosquera - $8.5 million

RM - Michael Barrios - $8.5 million

CAM - Mauro Diaz - $10.0 million

Forward

CF - Maxi Urruti - $9.0 million

Remaining Squad

Goalkeeper's

GK - Jimmy Maurer - $4.5 million

GK - Kyle Zobeck - $4.0 million

Defender's

LB - Maynor Figueroa - $5.5 million

RB - Ryan Hollingshead - $5.0 million

CB - Jordan Cano - $4.0 million

CB - Kris Reaves - $4.0 million

Midfielder's

CDM - Kellyn Acosta - $7.5 million (injured)

LW - Roland Lamah - $8.0 million

RW - Paxton Pomykal - $4.5 million

CM - Brandon Servania - $4.5 million

CAM - Ema Twumasi - $4.5 million

CAM - Jacori Hayes - $4.5 million

Forward's

LW - Francis Atuahene - $4.5 million

CF - Cristian Colman - $8.0 million

CF - Tesho Akindele - $7.0 million

CF - Jesus Ferreira - $4.5 million

CF - Bryan Reynolds - $4.5 million

CF - Adonijah Reid - $4.0 million

Real Salt Lake

Manager: Mike Petke

Likely Formation: 4-2-3-1 (4-3-3 variant)

Starting 11

Goalkeeper

GK - Nick Rimando - $5.5 million

Defender's

LB - Demar Phillips - $4.5 million

CB - Marcelo Silva - $5.5 million

CB - Justen Glad - $5.5 million

RB - Adam Henley - $5.0 million

Midfielder's

CDM - Kyle Beckerman - $7.5 million

CM/CDM - Luke Mulholland - $7.0 million

LW - Joao Plata - $9.5 million

RW - Jefferson Savarino - $10.0 million

CAM - Albert Rusnák - $10.5 million

Forward

CF - Luis Silva - $7.5 million

There's a good chance that Luis Silva and Plata will play in alternating positions, with Silva on the left.

Remaining Squad

Goalkeeper's

GK - Connor Sparrow - $4.5 million

GK - Alex Horwath - $4.0 million

Defender's

LB - Danilo Acosta - $5.0 million

RB - Tony Beltran - $5.0 million (injured)

RB - Aaron Herrera - $4.0 million

CB - Shawn Barry - $4.5 million

CB - David Horst - $4.5 million

CB - Taylor Peay - $4.0 million

Acosta and Demar Phillips will be challenging for the left-back spot and we have an inkling that the cheaper option of the two, Phillips, may be played in the first fixture.

Midfielder's

CDM - Sunny - $6.0 million

CM - Damir Kreilach - $7.5 million

CM - Nick Besler - $4.5 million

LM - Pablo Ruiz - $5.0 million

LM - Sebastian Saucedo - $5.0 million

RW - Jordan Allen - $5.5 million

CAM - Jose Hernandez - $4.5 million

CF - Brooks Lennon - $5.5 million (listed as a Midfielder)

Forward's

CF - Alfredo Ortuno - $7.5 million

CF - Yura Movsisyan - $7.5 million

CF - Corey Baird - $7.5 million

The 2018 MLS Fantasy Season

MLS returns on Saturday March 3rd 2018, and you can join our very own MLS Fantasy League by clicking here, or alternatively by using the league code RDPUAHR2 whilst on the MLS Fantasy site, or checking out our pinned tweet on our @HypeTrainMLS Twitter account. We'd love to have you aboard for the ride.

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All aboard.