MLS Fantasy Round 18 team reveals

The brand new campaign continues! We take a look at MLS Fantasy Round 18 team reveals from some of the most experienced managers around. They share their thoughts on their teams going into the new round including captaincy.

Looking at some MLS Fantasy Round 18 team reveals can be extremely beneficial for new managers. Seeing some of the best assets, who managers will be looking to captain and their general thoughts can help bring clarity within our own teams. So, lets take a look at some MLS Fantasy Round 18 team reveals.

@dmpwright

Notes

Matches in Round 18 are still likely to be affected by international commitments, with returning players likely to be affected by travel/tiredness and players from CONCACAF nations in Gold Cup action from this weekend.
In goal, Roman Celentano should do well with home and away games against Toronto FC and DC United, respectively. My backup goalkeeper will be Clint Irwin (who will likely deputise for the absent Dayne St Clair). This allows me to see both of Celentano’s scores.
In defence, Kai Wagner, Álvaro Barreal and Claudio Bravo are all locks due to their offensive potential and favourable matchups, although Barreal will likely be a bench play given he is one yellow card from suspension.
My other two defenders are Andrew Gutman, who seems to have an attacking edge over Brooks Lennon at the moment, and Diego Palacios, who plays twice at home this week but has only kept one clean sheet in his last four appearances at BMO Stadium. For that reason, I may pivot to Rodrigues instead.
In midfield, Hany Mukhtar and Lucho Acosta are both musts in a double gameweek. I like Acosta’s fixtures enough to consider captaining him this week; like Barreal, however, he is also one yellow card away from suspension, so that decision is not without risk!.
Thiago Almada is also a lock in my team providing he returns from international duty in time to suit up against NYCFC on Wednesday. I’m keen to take advantage of Sebastián Driussi and Evander’s two home fixtures this week.
Upfront, Julián Carranza and Dénis Bouanga (if available) will both be in my team. My third forward slot is currently occupied by Alan Pulido, who is in a rich vein of goalscoring form, having found the net four times in his last three games. However, I do like the look of Colorado’s two home games this week and may end up pivoting to Diego Rubio, if he starts.

@eytexi

Notes

David Bingham (POR; 7.4m): back-to-back clean sheets since his return to the Portland eleven, now with two home fixtures versus Chicago Fire and New York City who have combined for just 13 goals scored and one win in 17 total away games this season.
Austin’s Stuver also has two home games and will come in if he bags a clean sheet versus Dallas.
Sebastián Driussi (ATX; 9.0m): despite the pre-season hype, having scored 25 goals last season, I’ve only owned Driussi on two occasions this year. Since his return, he has two goals in 164 minutes, averaging 5.49 shots/90. Two home fixtures for Austin make him a top, and perhaps overlooked, pick.
Evander (POR; 10.1m): six goal involvements in his last 10 may not scream captaincy, but what certainly do are his 30 key passes, 19 crosses, and 32 shots in this period. Two home fixtures versus sides who have one win combined in 17 away ties in ’23; now is Portland’s time to thrive and I’ll be putting complete faith in them.
Luciano Acosta (CIN; 11.9m): seven goals in his last seven games means I cannot get enough of Cincinnati’s star man, 2.71 key passes/game over his last seven starts showing we can expect more than the single assist he’s managed in this period. His 18 shots on target and 38 key passes rank fifth and sixth, respectively, among MLS midfielders.

@melvin

Notes

Defender: Brooks Lennon (ATL; 10.7m) : A favourable dgw fixture vs RBNY. He has also managed six assists this season already and so presents an ideal opportunity for points on both sides of the pitch.
Midfielder: Luciano Acosta (CIN; 11.9m) Cincinati’s standout player, as evidenced by his seven-game streak of seven goals and 2.71 key passes per game average during his last seven starts. This suggests that we should anticipate more from him this round.
Midfielder: Hany Mukhtar (NSH; 14.7m); Mukhtar got an incredible 18-pointer last round with a hattrick. Nashville also have a good dgw and because of that it makes him a great pick again this round. Mukhtar is also high with the stats on shots, shots on target, key passes and crosses in MLS this season.
Forward: Denis Bouanga (LAFC; 11.2m), Denis Bouanga has banked 10 goals and two assists in 12 games. LAFC have a DGW with both matches at Home and Bouanga is the focal point of their attack.

@MotleyBarnets

Notes

Identifying a ‘keeper-roo is quite straight forward for me this week. Although there are a host of ‘early’ kick-offs in the Wednesday round of fixtures, I’ve decided to go for Clark ($8.4m) as my bench ‘keeper with Bingham ($7.4m) as my starter.
Wagner ($10.6m) was the first defender I selected, but I slightly prefer Gutman ($8.8m) over Lennon from Atlanta. However, I may pivot when the line-ups are released – especially if Almada is not back from international duty.
Rodrigues ($9.8m) has two interesting fixtures, especially with the second match being at home against a depleted St Louis attack. Barreal ($12m) is a bench play for me this week with him being a yellow card away from suspension.
In midfield I’ve gone for Driussi ($9m) for the first time this season. He will be joined by Herrera ($11m) who has a great floor. With two home games this week, I’ve stuck the captains armband on Evander ($10.1m). Although that may change given his erratic form. I’m also on the fence about Mukhtar ($14.7m). Although he’s coming off a hat-trick, Nashville will be without a couple of key players up front for a double-away week – and the German is more of a home-pick than an away one.
Despite not getting a goal involvement this week, Espinoza ($11.8m) still managed to get a near double-digit return. Because of this, he will be a bench play for me.
Up front, I’m going for Carranza ($11.5m) who has been pretty decent in DGW’s this season with Pulido ($7.9m) on the bench.

@_FutboIOscar

Notes

110pts in Round 17 and a green arrow up to 100th overall.
In goal this week I’ve gone for Andre Blake with 34 points in his last two DGWs.
Colorado have two home matchups this week therefore I’ve gone with William Yarbrough or llic if he starts as my fallback should Blake not score well in his first fixture.
Lennon, Wagner and Barreal pick themselves this week with their attacking potential.
My other defenders are San Jose’s Rodrigues due to his bonus potential and Portland’s Bravo with two favourable home fixtures this week.
Hany Mukhtar is a lock for me in midfield this week despite two away fixtures. The reigning MVP has 12 goals and 4 goals in his last 11 appearances.
Argentinian playmakers Luciano Acosta and Thiago Almada are also locks for me this week, the latter has been away on international duty so watch out for rotation.
My last two midfield picks are currently Erik Thommy and Connor Ronan but I’m also considering Espinoza, Herrera and Evander.
My FWD picks this week are Alan Pulido, Julian Carranza and Bouanga.