Introducing "E Pluribus Choose-Em"

E Pluribus Loonum is going to have a competition. This will be called "E Pluribus Choose-Em", and is a great way for you to be involved in the E Pluribus Loonum community over the course of the 2017 season.

The idea is simple: before each match, we'll publish a special post with basic info (e.g. injury reports, current standings for the contest) and you'll comment on that article with your predictions for our starting lineup and final score. Using the scoring system laid out below, you'll be given points based on that prediction and those points will add up over the course of the season. Here are the rules in full detail:

Rules

This contest is open to all readers and visitors to this blog. You don't even have to be a regular, though we hope you will become one. The more participants, the better.

This contest covers regular season games only. That means U.S. Open Cup matches and the playoffs (should we be lucky enough to make it that far) aren't a part of this competition.

Standings will be compiled and released weekly. We'll be tallying points manually, so it may take a few days after each match.

Submissions can only be added until one hour before kickoff or when lineups are announced, whichever comes first.

Scoring will be handled as follows:

Ten (10) points will be possible each match: five (5) for a lineup prediction, five (5) for a scoreline prediction.

For the five (5) lineup prediction points:

Your predicted starting eleven should be loaded in the format of Goalkeeper, Defenders, Midfielders, Forwards. We won't be picky of left-to-right order, but you must have the players in the proper levels. Points will be awarded for having a certain number of players right, as shown below.

10-11 players correct — 5 points

8-9 players correct — 4 points

6-7 players correct — 3 points

4-5 players correct — 2 points

2-3 players correct — 1 point

0-1 players correct — 0 points (hopefully you can at least name the keeper and one outfield player, otherwise this will be you)

For the five (5) scoreline prediction points:

In order to make our job of tallying easier, we ask that you write your prediction in an easy way (but we won't be too picky). It should be written Win/Draw/Loss then the score, in terms of Minnesota United (regardless of home/away, Minnesota's score should be written first. For example, a 3-1 victory should be written as Minnesota 3-1 Opponent, or a 1-0 loss as Minnesota 0-1 Opponent). If that format is confusing, just make it clear what the overall result will be and who scores how many. Scoring is simple:

Overall result correct — 1 point

Minnesota United's score correct — 2 points

Opponent's score correct — 2 points

An example of how we'd prefer you input your predictions (for the season opener against Portland):

Win, Minnesota United 2-1 Portland Timbers

Alvbage, Davis, Demidov, Calvo, K. Venegas, Ibarra, Schuller, Saeid, Molino, J. Venegas, Ramirez

A prize is being considered (if you have ideas for what the prize should be, let us know).

This sounds a little complicated, but we hope you'll join for the fun competition. Any questions on the rules or general concept? They'll be answered in the comments below!