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MLS: Every team’s best starting XI for 2019

By Joshua Bowers

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 08: Atlanta United players celebrate with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy after winning the MLS Cup against the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta won 2-0. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 08: Atlanta United players celebrate with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy after winning the MLS Cup against the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta won 2-0. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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HARRISON, NJ – OCTOBER 07: Fredy Montero #12 of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of MLS kicks the ball to gain control during the MLS match between New York Red Bulls and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at the Red Bull Arena on October 07, 2017 in HARRISON, NJ. New York Red Bulls won the match with a score of 3 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
HARRISON, NJ – OCTOBER 07: Fredy Montero #12 of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of MLS kicks the ball to gain control during the MLS match between New York Red Bulls and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at the Red Bull Arena on October 07, 2017 in HARRISON, NJ. New York Red Bulls won the match with a score of 3 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Vancouver Whitecaps

4-4-1-1

GK Zac MacMath

RB Scott Sutter

CB Erik Godoy

CB Doneil Henry

LB PC

RM Lucas Venuto

CM Felipe

CM Hwang In-beom

LM Lass Bangoura

CF Yordy Reyna

ST Fredy Montero

Vancouver have completely turned over the roster. That makes their line-up difficult to predict. Luckily, I am not predicting their line-up. I’m choosing my own.

Zac MacMath finally gets his opportunity to be a first-choice goalie. The right-back is Scott Sutter, earning the start over Jake Nerwinski. Sutter has proven to be a solid starter while with Orlando City. The center-backs are newcomers, Erik Godoy, and Doneil Henry. Godoy is an obvious pick; he is a very highly touted defender from the Argentine league. Henry is simply the next best center-back I have seen play. Unfortunately, PC is the only natural left-back I see on the roster. I do not think he is a starting-caliber player in MLS.

I chose to align the Whitecaps in a  4-4-1-1. That means I do not need to choose between Lucas Venuto or Lass Bangoura, even though I believe just one of them (Bangoura) will be in Vancouver’s actual starting line-up. Yordy Reyna and Fredy Montero, meanwhile, will both start, but each could play in several positions. Right now, Montero is the most established striker on the team, and I have Reyna playing as a second forward. However, if Vancouver picks up a true-nine, Montero could play as a second forward and Reyna would move to a wing.

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I believe, Vancouver will play with three central midfielders. However, in my 4-4-1-1, Felipe and In-beom are clearly the starters. Felipe is a good holding midfielder and In-beom will have the freedom to get forward and be a creator. Jon Erice has been a starter throughout the preseason but I do not see him as an essential player.

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