Gameweek 4 - MLS March Madness
The Picks And The Hopes
Yes, like the eggs in the grocery store, the prices for the elite fantasy MLS players just keeps going up, even if their scores don’t. Alas, the madness continues into March. What will happen to FlavorTownSC this week? More mediocrity or will I need to frame my team lineup photo? Let’s see.
Goalkeepers
Pantemis (Portland) - I find it hard to justify paying $7M or more for a goalkeeper at the moment, when money needs to be spent on the rest of the roster and I need the goalkeeper to create value for my squad and not decrease it. Portland are facing the LA Galaxy at home, who struggled to score at home last Sunday and played midweek in the Champions League. Pantemis is my bet for an affordable goalkeeper set for a fresh sheet this week, even if Portland have been prone to perpetual defensive self destruction.
my backup would be the backup backup goalkeeper for Inter Miami but the great powers who control the fantasy game, have decided not to stay on top of adding players.
Defenders
Totland (St. Louis) - at the moment, I’ve sacrificed Rusnak (Seattle) for a player on the best defense in the league - at the moment. Seattle can definitely extract points on the road while playing the kids, however they’ll have to do it without Paul Arriola and more than likely without Jordan Morris. Even if St. Louis fail to post a shutout, I like Totland and his ability to get involved in the attack.
Negri (San Diego) - I don’t like betting against Columbus but traveling cross country and playing midweek, they might find scoring difficult two weeks in a row with a rotated squad.
Westfield (Philadelphia) - Nashville is going to start scoring, I just hope it’s not this weekend in Philadelphia. I like Westfield if he starts, and if he doesn’t, then I’ll be able to grab whoever is starting for Philadelphia.
Scenario(s) - there’s a chance that Westfield doesn’t start and if that’s the case then I’ll pick up another defender from Portland or Philadelphia depending on the need. Baby Tate Johnson might see the field for Vancouver on Saturday, however - they’re traveling to Dallas and I don’t have room on my bench to get his price rise and I doubt Dallas will repeat their spectacular meltdown from last week. There’s $1.4M in the bank for a Sunday defender, just hope that I don’t need it.
Midfielders -
Hartel (St. Louis) - St. Louis demonstrated their quality last week against the LA Galaxy on the road, now can they do the same thing against a weakened and tired Seattle squad at home? Hartel has one of the highest five game averages among midfielders and will need to have a good outing to see a price rise. I’m thinking St. Louis are back.
Da Costa (Portland) - he’s had a good start, despite a sudden and abrupt change to a new league, team and city. On paper the matchup is good, and if Jonathan Rodriguez sees some minutes, LA Galaxy will want to get back on the plane without any Voodoo Donuts. The only wrinkle in the plot is that the Portland defense is terrible. Might mean that Da Costa will have to help the club outscore the Galaxy.
Lukic (Philadelphia) - he’s the budget option so that I can fit in some elite defenders and have some money left over. Weirdly Gazdag is getting the assists and key passes and it’s unclear if Lukic will start facilitating more of the attack than the wide midfielders but his price and average ratio means he’ll at least see a price rise and maybe even pick up decent points at home.
Forsberg (NJ Red Bulls) - starting on the bench, as the New Jersey Red Bulls have an early kickoff today. Maybe the attack starts clicking today at home against Orlando and if it doesn’t I’m confident in his ability to rack up bonus points without a goal contribution.
Dreyer (San Diego) - my second midfielder on the bench as I’m not confident about what will happen in his matchup against Columbus. Could be another 0-0 draw for Columbus or San Diego run them ragged and Dreyer is the maestro of the show. Or Columbus rolls into San Diego and properly welcomes San Diego to Major League Soccer. No matter what happens, Dreyer should see a price rise.
Scenario(s) - if Forsberg can’t go, needs rest or injures himself in the warm up, then I’ll pivot to Rusnak and take my chances with two midfielders in my lineup going head to head and at least get the price rise on Rusnak.
Forwards
Messi (Miami) - the saga Messi is dragging and slipping into the realm of boredom. He has to play in order for for MLS supporters and fans to be in awe. It’s not enough that he’s seen on the bench or walks into a building and waves to the crowd. He played in Jamaica, so he should be willing to play on the terrible surface in Atlanta on Sunday.
Benteke (D.C.) - he’s still making my squad and eventually he’ll go back to getting 1 to 2 points a match and not returning. Hopefully it’s not this week. The time is coming soon when he won’t return and his value will start to drop, hoping to squeeze out the last of his early season price rise.
Baribo (Philadelphia) - The clock is ticking on Baribo as well. The only difference is that Baribo will be getting some price rises over the next two weeks. Maybe he can flex his assist muscles and help Lukic have a great match. Nashville will be difficult to break down, however some way, somehow, the highest scoring team in the league will figure it out.
Captain - it has to be Messi. If not him, then it’ll be down to Suarez (Miami), Allende (Miami) or even Lath (Atlanta) if he cleared the concussion protocols and is ready to start.
Mantra - I’ve mostly paid attention to the cave wall predictive model and made the best lineup that I can afford and I’m ready to frame the best overall lineup for the week. Praise be.