FMLS Gameweek 6 - International Hangover
Team Lineup & Scenarios
Some MLS clubs might get their players back, who were away on international duty, in a similar state of the person above - groggy, incoherent, tired, perhaps injured, unsure of where they are, and refusing to get back on a plane to travel hundreds of miles, if not thousands, for their next MLS match. The international hangover is real and changes to starting lineups might linger into this week, especially in Miami.
Goalkeepers
Keeping with my stance on how much one should pay for a goalkeeper, I found some budget friendly options with upsides.
Lundt (St. Louis) - He’s starting until Burki recovers from a fractured hand and he has one of the best defenses in the league to help him out.
Ustari (Miami) - I don’t like Miami’s chances of keeping the sheets fresh against Philadelphia, however a goalkeeper who can’t depreciate in value, is a good goalkeeper to have. He’ll be on the bench. And let Drake Callender go Miami. LET HIM GO.
Defenders
This is going to be a weird week as I’m trying some new approaches with my defenders based on some data I compiled and excited to see how it goes.
Rogers & Gutman (Chicago) - Chicago are yet to keep the sheets fresh against anyone this season and I think they’d like to start against Montreal, who are visiting for the weekend. Chicago, like other MLS clubs, suffers from not having all their players in the fantasy game - so as long as I can select two defenders that are starting, I’ll be going with one central and one wide defender.
Hlongwane (Minnesota) - despite blanking last week in every possible way against the LA Galaxy at home - he’s my elite defender choice for the week. May Salt Lake be a less formidable opponent.
Scenario(s) - Gutman only played forty-five minutes last week, so if the backline changes or the MLS player availability report can be trusted and he’s listed as injured, I’ll need to pick up a replacement somewhere along the Chicago backline.
Midfielders
This is the week of road midfielders and maybe some home midfielders depending on ownership.
Ojeda (Orlando) - travel and time zone difference shouldn’t matter. Orlando are clicking, the matchup is good and he’s been in great form so far this season, minus one match.
Mukhtar (Nashville) - well hello again, former MLS MVP I picked to be in my fantasy top ten midfielders this season. When Sam Surridge is playing with the confidence to use fancy dribbling to create space for himself, you know that things are going well in Nashville. AND Andy Najar is back from international duty.
Rusnak (Seattle) - he was overshadowed by double digit scoring midfielders last week, yet managed to post seven points (five were bonus points) without a goal contribution. San Jose, no problem.
Biel (Charlotte) - he’s playing like he’s wearing crazy pants when he walks out onto the pitch. He’s had a goal contribution in four of five matches this season. Colorado will be very busy defending Charlotte.
Forsberg (New Jersey RB) - he’s been decent so far this season and the matchup against New England looks good on paper, meaning New England will win the match 4-0, even though they haven’t scored a goal.
Scenario(s) - it appears that MLS fantasy managers are ready to trust Evander (Cincinnati) in every match he plays and I might have to put him on my bench, if his 30% ownership holds well into Saturday. And I might have to account for Acosta playing at home against Kansas City if his ownership rises on matchday. Forsberg is my first drop, if I need room for Evander. And sadly I will drop Biel if everyone comes down with Acosta fever.
Forwards
Messi (Miami) - according to the news frenzy surrounding him, it seems unlikely that he’ll play sixty plus minutes and more likely that he’ll either start the match on the bench or not be dressed at all to play. Luckily Miami play at 7:30pm (EST) Saturday night and won’t cancel out other good fantasy forward options.
Cuypers (Chicago) - the triple g revolution in Chicago has gained momentum as the club is currently sixth in the Supporter Shield standings. Should have some fun against Montreal. Every now and then Cuypers gets some bonus points, may this weekend be the now AND then on top of Cuypers continuing to tally goal contributions.
Yeboah (Minnesota) - it’s unlikely that he’ll follow up his brace from last week with a hat trick or another brace. I’m just wanting him to continue the goal contributions and feed the bonus point meter against Salt Lake.
Scenario(s) - six weeks and already tired of Messi watch 2025. If Messi starts on the bench or isn’t in the matchday eighteen, then I’ll pivot to Suarez (Miami). If no Suarez, then Muriel (Orlando) on the road against the LA Galaxy.
Captain
If Messi (Miami) starts, I trust him with forty-five to sixty minutes of play over other midfielders or forwards playing a full ninety minutes. If no Messi, then the armband will pass to Cuypers (Chicago).
Mantra - may this be the week that I frame my MLS fantasy lineup after it finishes number one overall. I’ve communed with the data and cave wall prediction model and mostly did as directed. Praise be.