MLS Fantasy 2018: Gameweek 13 Review - Player of the Week
After each round of matches for MLS Fantasy players, we'll be providing our Player of the Week, the player who we think is deserving of top spot, even if they didn't finish on the most points for a week. We'll take a look at the impact the player is having on his team, as well as the MLS Fantasy returns that they are providing. Strap in, it's time to get nostalgic. All aboard.
MLS Fantasy: Gameweek 14
For the 2018 MLS Fantasy season there is a 'Rolling Lockout', which means you can make substitutions and transfers until the second a player's game kicks off, which means you can chop and change your lineup as any Gameweek progresses.
You can view the schedule and a real time Gameweek deadline countdown clock (in the London GMT timezone) on our dedicated MLS Fantasy page.
MLS Fantasy Gameweek 13 - Player of the Week: Tim Melia (Sporting KC)
Of all the Gameweek's this MLS season, Week 13 stood out to us as the most alien of the lot. The 'big time' players that casual audiences will associate with the league were heavily favoured by MLS Fantasy players, and there were few successes. Instead, the league's lesser known assets stepped up and made a name for themselves.
Our attention this week was ultimately split between 2 options for our Player of the Week choices. One was Cristian Techera who scored a hat-trick in an entertaining 3-3 draw between hosts, Vancouver Whitecaps, and the New England Revolution. The high-scoring draw was the best match of the weekend by an absolute mile, and put Techera in a strong position with 19 points during Week 13.
The other consideration is Sporting KC keeper, Tim Melia, who kept a clean sheet and saved a Federico Higuain penalty in a 0-0 draw with a visiting Columbus Crew side. The draw was Kansas's fourth match without defeat, which is a record that now spans back to Week 9's away loss at New England.
Sporting Kansas City's Last 5 MLS Results
Week 9: New England Revolution 1-0 Sporting KC
Week 10: Sporting KC 1-0 Colorado Rapids
Week 11: Atlanta United 0-2 Sporting KC
Week 12: Minnesota United 1-1 Sporting KC
Week 13: Sporting KC 0-0 Columbus Crew
Choosing Melia over Techera came done to the individual significance of the points this past weekend. Techera was selected by just 431 very fortunate Fantasy players (which accounts for 1.42% ownership). Whilst a lucky few revelled in a mammoth differential pick this season, Melia's 9.7% ownership produced a greater level of return which impacted on MLS Fantasy players in greater number.
Melia's 2,938 owners pulled well ahead of popular picks in Ryan Meara (NY Red Bulls) and Clint Irwin (Toronto) who were budget options that were heavily favoured. To hardened MLS fans, Melia has become a staple of the league and his brilliant shot-stopping skills are being put on display this week.
Tim Melia's Gameweek 13 Points - Sporting KC 0-0 Columbus Crew:
90 mins played: 2pts
Clean sheet: 5pts
1 penalty save: 5pts
3 saves: 1pt
10 recoveries: 1pt
Total: 14pts
With Gameweek 14 fast approaching, Sporting KC host Minnesota in the final match of the week, hosting a Minnesota United side who previously drew 1-1 with Melia's side in Week 12. Even amongst the Double Gameweek expectation, the likes of Melia and Zusi will still be heavily considered by MLS Fantasy players.
The 2018 MLS Fantasy Season
MLS has returned, and you can join our very own MLS Fantasy League by clicking here, or alternatively by using the league code RDPUAHR2 whilst on the MLS Fantasy site, or checking out our pinned tweet on our @HypeTrainMLS Twitter account. We'd love to have you aboard for the ride.
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The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015, specialising in the Fantasy Premier League (#FPL), providing beautiful graphics and weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb ranking tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review movies, live sport, and professional wrestling.
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All aboard.
