We're Still Playing - Gameweek 5 Lineup
International Break For Who?
Welcome to Major League Soccer if you’re new to the league, you’re now probably realizing that snow, tornados, hurricanes and international breaks can’t stop this runaway train. Of those left, not injured or suspended, this is my squad for gameweek 5 fantasy glory.
Goalkeeper(s)
I thought I had enough money for all the players I wanted this week, but I was wrong. Very much wrong…a lot wrong. Backup goalkeepers will be the theme this week for fantasy managers, so why not do what everyone else will be doing this weekend. If MLS teams start matches with goalkeepers that are not in the fantasy game, then fantasy managers should unite and revolt. This goalkeeper combination could lose me $1M in team value, however the most affordable goalkeepers allow me to select the midfielders and forwards I want for this week.
Smir (Minnesota) - could this go poorly? Absolutely. Even a weakened LA Galaxy squad could pose challenges for a mostly available Minnesota squad. Yet, it’s one of the most favorable matchups of the weekend and Smir is a budget friendly option.
Beaudry (Colorado) - Colorado have been decent so far this season in terms of goals allowed and the backline should help Beaudry keep the sheets fresh against an out of sorts Portland squad. If things do indeed go poorly in Minnesota, then there’s the possibility of Colorado doing what Minnesota couldn’t - keeping the sheet fresh.
Defenders
Morris Duggan (Minnesota) - he’s the most affordable option for a defense that is facing off against the LA Galaxy who are struggling at the moment due to injuries and roster changes from last season. Even without their starting goalkeeper, Minnesota should get it done.
Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver) - Vancouver might be the best team in MLS at the moment, however the Chicago Fire have been one of the besting scoring teams in the league. Gauld is injured, Brian White and others were called up for international duty, so there’s a concern that Vancouver won’t be able to provide an attack that Chicago needs to pay attention to and that means that Vancouver will more than likely be peppered with shots for ninety minutes. I’m hoping for a 0-0 draw.
Walker Zimmerman (Nashville) - with an improved and healthy midfield, Nashville have a great opportunity for a win and shut out at home on Saturday. Montreal are a good team, but I expect Nashville will be up for the challenge, even without my guy Andy Najar.
Scenario(s) - there’s this need and feeling that I have to start Hlongwane (Minnesota) if he’s starting the match as the second forward or higher up the pitch. It’s a risk as he could inevitably get 2 fantasy points for his efforts and his high price tag would see his value plummet. I’ll do it though, if he’s starting the match out of position and I’ll drop Zimmerman for a more affordable Nashville option or find a good defender in another matchup that fits the budget.
Midfielders
If Rick Flare was involved in fantasy MLS, this is where he’d give his signature “woooo”! This’ll be my second week in a row without Evander or Acosta and may it be the right choice again.
Rusnak (Seattle) - while Seattle are the walking wounded and dazed after their bounce from Champions League, I still think they have enough to handle Houston at home. And Rusnak will be the leader in that effort.
Ojeda (Orlando) - Ojeda and company are scoring goals for fun and having a great time doing it. D.C. won’t be an easy match up, however Ojeda is in good form and playing at home. And lads, it’s D.C. United.
Mukhtar (Nashville) - Nashville caused the collective jaws to drop last week when they destroyed Philadelphia 1-3 on the road. Mukhtar will more than likely be a favorite captain option this week and should show his class against Montreal at home. Montreal have most of their starters for this one, minus one defensive starter due to international duty.
Dreyer (San Diego) - watching San Diego play at home against Columbus, was one of the most exciting matches I’ve watched in a very long time. Both of these clubs are clever and just ball, all day every day. Can San Diego go down to Austin and sneak past one of the best defenses in the league? I’m not sure, given their struggles to score goals. However Dreyer is just too good at the moment to not have in my lineup. He’s one of my midfielder bench plays for the week.
Forsberg (New Jersey Red Bulls) - he was disappointing last week at home against Orlando and so was the rest of the New Jersey lineup. Toronto should be a good bounce back match for New Jersey at home and hopefully Forsberg will be more active in the attack than last week. He’ll be on my bench as I’m not sure, how well New Jersey will perform.
Scenario(s)
If Forsberg is rested or pulls up lame in warmups, I’ll take a chance on an out of sorts Mihailovic (Colorado) at home against Portland.
Forwards
This is going to be a fun week, lots of the favorite forwards are away on international duty, so it’s time to play.
Benteke (D.C.) - it’s a close matchup against Orlando on the road, however he’s been prolific so far this season and posted 6 points last week without a goal contribution. Orlando are also missing their starting goalkeeper - should be a fun one.
Navarro (Colorado) - he’s featuring in one of the three most lopsided matchups this weekend, playing at home against Portland, whose defense makes me scream - the horror, the horror. Let’s go.
K. Yeboah (Minnesota) - Minnesota are one of the MLS teams that are missing the most starters, however they’re facing the LA Galaxy, one of the most out of sorts teams in the league. Sure, if LA were going to sneak away with some road points, it might be this matchup, but I don’t think they have the ability to stop Minnesota from scoring even with the absences.
Captain
I have the armband on Rusnak (Seattle) at the moment as he’s the most in form midfielder available this weekend and Houston represents one of the worst defenses in the league at the moment. If he’s rested, as Seattle can’t afford more injuries to their starting lineup, then I’ll have no idea who to captain and will make some insane decision among the players who are starting in the last three matches of the week.
Mantra
The cave wall prediction model has given me insights into players who will lead FlavorTownSC to glory this weekend and rise the team value and overall rank. May this be the week that I frame my starting lineup after it finishes first overall. Praise be.