Reid and Mike are joined by co-host emeritus Andrew Crollard while Blayne takes the week off. The show starts off with the normal round review but takes a short detour and the guys discuss the latest Open Cup news and new transfers that could impact your fantasy squad. The second half of the show focus on which double-game week players are worth loading up on for the final round of the 2018 Spring Fantasy Season and which ones to avoid. It's a great show to checkout before games start of Wednesday!
First let me start by saying congratulations. We’ve finally arrived at the final round of the 2018 Spring MLS Fantasy season. It’s your final chance for a big fantasy score. Fortunately, we’re ending on a double-game week that offers a lot of great player options. Below are some of the players who I think will help you finish the season strong and maybe edge out your friends.
Teams on a bye: New England Revolution
Double–game week: D.C. United, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City, San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders
Keepers
Stefan Frei has a couple of favorable matchups this week | USA Today Sports Images
Home and Away: I’m not very impressed with the shutout records of the two teams with double home games this week so I’m looking at the other DGW options and my favorite is Seattle’s Stefan Frei ($8.8). He starts the week off in San Jose (10:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info) against an Earthquakes team that has struggled to score against stronger defenses and are trying to overcome some turmoil. Then, after four days of rest, he hosts a NYCFC (5 pm ET | TV & streaming info) team that will log over 10 hours of travel this weekend from coast to coast. Combine all of this with his improving clean sheet form and I think Frei has a chance at an excellent score.
Double Home: If you’re dead set on having a double-game week keeper with two home games, then D.C. United’s David Ousted ($4.0) is the clear frontrunner. In the pro column, he’s not lost a home game. But in the con, he’s also yet to earn a clean sheet this season. His best chance comes in his second game against a Colorado (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info) team that has scored just six goals in nine road matches.
Defenders
Kemar Lawrence is one of few defenders averaging at least 6 points per game | USA Today Sports Images
Well Rounded: The New York Red Bulls have one of the best all-around defenses this season and that makes Kemar Lawrence ($10.2) one of my top picks for Week 22. His first game against D.C. United (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info) will be tough as D.C. tends to always find the back of the net, but you never know what will happen in the Atlantic Cup so his offensive potential could pay out in a big way. The second game against Columbus (7 pm ET | TV & streaming info) should be easier as Crew SC have the worst road-scoring record in the league.
Differential Pick: If you’re looking for a differential pick with the potential for big points, then consider Houston’s Alejandro Fuenmayor ($8.9). While most managers usually think of offense when they hear Houston, the Dynamo also have a top 10 defense at home and on the road. Their home game against Philadelphia (9 pm ET | TV & streaming info) and away game to Portland (11 pm ET | TV & streaming info) actually play to their strengths as both opponents have struggled to score in these situations. If one or both games results in a clean sheet, Fuenmayor should see a good score as Houston’s top fantasy defender.
Midfielders
Yamil Asad has averaged over 10 points in his last five matches | USA Today Sports Images
Autoroo Options: There are many great midfielder options this week, but few teams are as stacked with fantasy potential as D.C. Untied. Their front five has rarely failed to produce during their long road run and the double home game could pay off big time. Depending on your point situation, my two favorite options are Yamil Asad ($10.5) and Zoltan Stieber ($10.4). Asad’s goalscoring ability gives him a high ceiling and the potential to make up a lot of points, but there is also a chance that he comes up with nothing. Stieber’s higher floor reduces your risk of a poor DGW return, but might not help you edge out your competition in this final round.
Round 2: The LA Galaxy may not have a double home game on paper, but their trip to face LAFC (10:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info) isn’t very far. If this El Trafico is anything like the first, there could be a lot of goals and Romain Alessandrini ($10.6) is sure to be involved. He’s scored a goal or earned an assist in four of his last five games and while he’s not gone the full 90 in each game, it’s likely he’s been rested for this big match against LAFC.
Forwards
All-out Attack: If you believe that the LA Galaxy’s game against LAFC will be another goals fest, then you also need to pick up Zlatan Ibrahimovic ($10.2). His current goal coring run of nine goals over his last seven games may be reason enough for most, but he also played 161 minutes during LA’s last double-game week so there’s a chance he’ll also start against Orlando (9:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). If you’re willing to roll the dice on this happening again, he could be an excellent captain pick.
To Rooney or Not to Rooney: I’ve seen a lot of talk about Wayne Rooney ($9.6) this week so I feel that I have to cover it today. For Week 22 my opinion is that Rooney is a solid… MAYBE. The big risk is that he’ll only be a sub in one game and end up with another one point score. I actually agree with my MLSFI co-host Mike on how to handle this dilemma (see podcast at top): If Rooney starts against the Red Bulls, don’t get him as he’ll likely only be a sub during the second game. But if he’s on the bench, he’ll likely start against Colorado (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info) and that offers him a much better opportunity for points.
WHICH PLAYERS are you considering for Round 22?
FOR MORE fantasy advice, be sure to check out the articles and charts posted at MLSFantasyBoss.com.
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