MLS Fantasy: Midfielders put up steady numbers, but defenders and forwards produced at a greater rate

Fantasy - Nielsen, Goncalves, Cooper, Manneh
MLS Fantasy: Midfielders put up steady numbers, but defenders and forwards produced at a greater rate -

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Round 34 of MLS Fantasy was one of the lowest scoring weeks season. Only eight players scored 10 points or more and only one of them was from the Seattle Sounders: Mauro Rosales. Big-name players like Mike Magee and Jose Goncalves also scored goals.



Eight teams were represented on this week’s Dream Team. The Vancouver Whitecaps led the way with three selections.


Round 34 Statistics

  • Top Fantasy Score: 74 points
  • # teams that scored 0 goals: 5
  • # teams that scored 1 goals: 6
  • # teams that scored 2+ goals: 3
  • # clean sheets per round: 7, 2, 5, 6, 3, 3, 6, 6, 4, 7, 7, 4, 5, 4, 3, 5, 7, 3, 4, 7, 4, 8, 3, 3, 5, 6, 5, 4, 7, 5, 4, 4, 5. 5
  • # goals scored per round: 24, 21, 17, 16, 22, 16, 14, 22, 27, 17, 41, 29, 27, 26, 16, 25, 17, 27, 24, 13, 25, 19, 25, 28, 24, 23, 37, 24, 31, 24, 25, 23, 27, 15


Dream Team formation: (3-5-2)


Top Player: Kekuta Manneh - 17 points


Defenders (3)


Ike Opara had another huge game for Sporting KC. He helped his team earn a clean sheet and racked up four defending bonus points in the process. His 22 CBIs led all players in Round 34.


Jose Goncalves wasn't the only defender who scored this week, but he was the only one who recorded a clean sheet. His goal was one of those "right place at the right time" kind of things, but fantasy owners (16.4 percent) will be pleased regardless.


Seven defenders tallied eight points this past week, but Timbers' center back Futty Danso got the DT nod — See which six were left out!


Midfielders (5)


Out of the eight players who scored ten or more points this week, four were midfielders. Mauro Rosales, Mike Magee and Nigel Reo-Coker all had goals, while Daigo Kobayashi and Shea Salinas racked up points delivering the final pass.


Magee and Rosales have decent matchups next week, but Kobayashi, Salinas and Reo-Coker have tough mtachups on the road. Use your transfers wisely!


Forwards (2)


Only five forwards scored more than five points in Round 34 and only two put up more than seven. Kenny Cooper proved to be a solid play this week, despite starting the game on the bench. His early substitution for Mauro Diaz almost brought Dallas back from a three-goal deficit.


But the show this week belonged to rookie sensation, Kekuta Manneh. Manneh is the sixth player to record a hatrick all season, and at just 18 years of age, looks to have a bright future going forward.


Goalkeeper – Matt Reis (8 points)


Five goalkeepers secured shutouts this week, but only three reached the eight point mark. Tally Hall and Jimmy Nielsen were left off in favor of Matt Reis. Reis has two games against the Columbus Crew to finish out the season so he's someone to consider if you're looking for a net minder the next couple weeks.




*Dream Team subject to change. All point totals are finalized Wednesday for Rounds ending on Sunday