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The 2018 MLS All-Star Game roster is, as always, packed full of the league’s biggest stars. They are key pieces in their teams, they put bums on seats and as a result, they get paid the big bucks.
Of the 28 total players chosen, twelve are current Designated Players and a further eight have had their most recent contracts bought down using allocation money.
This leaves eight more underneath the maximum $504,375 budget hit. It is creating depth with these types of players where games are arguably won and lost and this is where things start to get a bit Moneyball.
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Major League Soccer is all about finding value. Each team is tasked with filling their 20-man senior roster with a basic budget of $4.035m prior to any Designated Player tags and the use of Target Allocation Money to buy contracts down to fit underneath the $504,375 threshold.
Finding strength in depth therefore relies on teams getting the most out of their entire squad from superstar DPs to newly-drafted rookies, backups and homegrown talents. So what would a fantasy football-esque MLS roster look like if we couldn’t use DPs and TAM players and had to stick to the $4.035m budget?
Using @StatHunting’s salary table as a guide, here’s my attempt at squad building:
(Credit: © Andrew Sharp and Orlando City UK)
STARTING XI:
Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)
New York Red Bulls have conceded the lowest number of goals this season and Luis Robles has been a huge part of that, boasting the fourth highest save percentage in the league and pulling off some spectacular saves.
Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew)
There’s plenty of value on the Columbus Crew back line, notably Lalas Abubakar and Milton Valenzuela, but the standout for me is the ever-present right-back Harrison Afful.
The diminutive Ghanaian reads the game well, rarely loses possession and has the vision to pick out key passes.
Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls)
Now in his second season with New York Red Bulls senior team, Aaron Long has quickly blossomed into one of the league’s best centre backs following failed spells with Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders. The Red Bulls defence is the best in the league in part thanks to his impeccable positioning and discipline alongside new defensive partner and honourable mention, Tim Parker.
Ike Opara (Sporting Kansas City)
Sporting Kansas City have already conceded more goals this season than they did in the entirety of last season, a comment on both how outstanding they were defensively last campaign and the drop off they’ve experienced this year.
That being said, Ike Opara was named defender of the year seven months ago and is still a premium pick. Despite the odd mistake, he usually recovers well.
Ben Sweat (New York City FC)
The New York City FC left back started the season in scintillating form posting two assists in the opening two games. Despite failing to return any more so far this season, Ben Sweat has continued to thrive in City’s system that allows him to play out from the back and get forward as much as possible.
The lowest salary in the entire squad, Sweat is incredible value.
Julian Gressel (Atlanta United)
Having amassed over 2000 minutes on the way to his Rookie of the Year award last season, Julian Gressel remains an integral contributor from midfield in Atlanta United’s team that is littered with big-money names. The German has done nothing but kick on this year, seeing more minutes and growing further in confidence.
Yangel Herrera (New York City FC)
Currently in the second of his two-year loan spell from parent club Manchester City, the young Venezuelan international is another who thrives in NYCFCs possession-heavy system. A strong tackler and passer of the ball, he was having an excellent season before it was ended by ankle injury that required surgery at the end of May.
Florian Valot (New York Red Bulls)
Another unfortunate casualty of the season who was in outstanding form prior to a season-ending injury, the dynamic Frenchman had registered four goals and three assists in New York Red Bulls’ attack that also boasts assist leader Alejandro Gamarra (Kaku) and two-time golden boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips, but was also reliable when needed defensively.
One of three Red Bulls on the list and the second cheapest player in the squad, New York Red Bulls are great recruiters, shrewd business people and utilise their USL side well.
Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC)
The Toronto-native and Canadian international represents great value from a team currently struggling to repeat the highs of 2017. Jonathan Osorio is in the form of his life having already scored a career-high eight goals in MLS this season whilst trying to compensate for Jozy Altidore’s absence and Sebastian Giovinco’s drop-off from last year’s treble winning form.
Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps)
The Canadian teenager recently agreed to an MLS-record transfer with German giants Bayern Munich after courting the attentions of numerous other European teams and with his performances in MLS this season it’s clear to see why.
The Commissioner’s pick for the 2018 MLS All-Star Game, Davies is blessed with lightning pace and is a strong dribbler, contributing five goals and eight assists this year.
Mauro Manotas (Houston Dynamo)
It’s no secret that goalscorers make the most money in football. It’s the glamour position, it’s where all the glory is and MLS is no different with practically every team investing heavily up top so you’d think finding value in this position would be tough.
Step forward Mauro Manotas who has found the back of the net eleven times so far this year as part of a lethal Houston Dynamo front three and currently sits sixth in the MLS Golden Boot race, top amongst non-DPs and TAM players.
BENCH:
Evan Bush (Montreal Impact)
Leads MLS in saves.
Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders)
Second highest save percentage.
Mohamed El-Munir (Orlando City SC)
Third in tackles and 10th in interceptions per 90 minutes.
Justin Morrow (Toronto FC)
Experienced and versatile defensive stalwart.
Rasmus Schüller (Minnesota United)
Leads league in tackles and dribbles per 90 minutes.
Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
High work rate, versatile midfielder.
Diego Fagúndez (New England Revolution)
Seven goals, five assists.
Dominique Badji (Colorado Rapids)
Seven goals, three assists.
Latif Blessing (Los Angeles FC)
Five goals, six assists
GOOD VALUE HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Tyler Miller (Los Angeles FC)
$69k
Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes)
$100k
Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas)
$68k
Samuel Piette (Montreal Impact)
$129k
Fafà Picault (Philadelphia Union)
$149k
Chris Mueller (Orlando City SC)
$99k
Teal Bunbury (New England Revolution)
$260k