Transfer Deadline: Wednesday, 9:30 pm ET
As the transfer deadline for the final round of MLS Fantasy inches closer and closer, managers from all over the globe will be looking to find that diamond in the rough to set their team apart from the rest.
Erick Torres, Ethan Finlay and Lee Nguyen are the most added players so far this week, so adding them will only help you so much.
Instead of focusing on obvious player pickups and captain selections - which I'll discuss in more detail on Wednesday - let's take a closer look at some off-the-radar picks and a few specific matchups.
Here are 10 quick tips to setting your team up for success in the Round 33.
- Nine of the 10 playoff spots have been secured, but seeding is far from over. Of the nine teams already in it, only D.C. United and New England have a tentative schedule locked up. What does this mean, exactly? Playoff-bound teams still have a lot to play for.
- If Real Salt Lake tie or lose against Chivas USA Wednesday night, FC Dallas will secure the third seed in the West regardless of what they do against Portland this weekend. If RSL tie or lose, expect Oscar Pareja to rest some starters. If they win, expect Pareja to go all out and push for a win. Plus, they're at home.
- Montreal (10/22 at New York) and D.C. United (10/21 at Tauro FC) both have to travel for midweek CONCACAF Champions League games. On top of that, the Impact will be without Hassoun Camara, Heath Pearce and Matteo Ferrari when they take on D.C. United due to suspension. SLEEPER ALERT: This could be great for Eddie Johnson owners!
- The only two matchups (other than Montreal vs D.C.) that have zero playoff implications this week are Chicago vs. Houston (10/24) and Chivas vs. San Jose (10/26). Don't expect any of these teams to make drastic changes to their lineups because most of them have already been out of the playoff picture for quite sometime.
- Have a look at this week's disciplinary report and have a backup plan in place in case you own one of these players, who are at risk of being suspended by the MLS Disciplinary Committee.
- Dallas vs. Portland kicks off an hour-and-a-half before Vancouver takes on Colorado. If you own a few Whitecaps players already, or if you're about to add one in the current transfer window, you may want to rethink this scenario before pulling the trigger. Portland and Vancouver are tied on wins and the Timbers have the upper hand on the second tiebreaker. So, if Portland gains at least a point in Dallas, the Whitecaps will need at least a point to secure a playoff spot. A loss in Dallas and the Caps are in. Either way, Pedro Morales, David Ousted and Jordan Harvey could be somewhat risky selections. Morales especially, who could be pulled at halftime if results are going the Caps' way.
- New York, Columbus and Sporting KC have a lot to play for. Any of these three teams can avoid the Knockout Round game, and the fourth-place team will lock up home-field advantage in that game. You do not want to miss the final two games of the regular season: Columbus vs. Philadelphia (10/26, 5 pm ET) and Sporting KC vs. New York (10/26, 9:30 pm ET).
- Seattle and LA are playing for all the marbles. Well, to an extent. Winner gets the Supporter's Shield and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. If there's a tie Seattle finish first overall based on total wins. It's going to be a shootout with a lot of star power going all out. Expect at least 3-4 goals. Advantage goes to Seattle!
- Dan Kennedy has five clean sheets this season and all of them have come within the last 18 games. Three of the five were against RSL and San Jose. Who are their opponents this week? RSL and San Jose. Take it for what it's worth.
- Lastly, have fun and enjoy the games! If you got nothing to lose don't be afraid to gamble a little bit. If you're in the finals of your head-to-head leagues or you're shooting for a Top 10 finish overall, best of luck! Most importantly, congratulations for making it all the way through. Especially all you first-timers out there.
