MLS Fantasy 2018: Gameweek 24 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 25
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 Week 24 - Player of the Week: Luciano Acosta (DC)
Another round of games sets in MLS, and for viewers at home and those enthralled with its Fantasy game, Week 24 just gone will leave a lasting impression due to D.C. United's heroics against Orlando City in a thrilling 3-2 home victory.
Orlando, who are quickly becoming the victims of every highlight reel in the league due to their leaky defence, handed Wayne Rooney an invitation to make his biggest impression in the league to date.
In the dying second of extra-time, with the scores tied 2-2, shot-stopper David Ousted bombed forward for a corner, leaving D.C. exposed at the back. When the ball was cleared after Ousted managed to get a touch, Orlando broke in numbers and with pace down the left-wing. Rooney covered half the pitch to make a last-gasp tackle before launching the ball into the penalty area, for 5ft 3in Luciano Acosta to seal a dramatic hat-trick.
Audi Field was a cauldron of noise and passion which is great to see in the capital city. The story of this week though is how Rooney's heroics enabled our Player of the Week, Luciano Acosta, to deliver points for MLS Fantasy players.
Luciano Acosta's Week 24 Points - D.C. United 3-2 Orlando City:
90 mins played: 2pts
3 goals: 15pts
4 key passes: 1pt
4 shots: 1pt
Yellow card: -1pt
Total: 18pts
Luciano Acosta played behind Wayne Rooney in D.C. United's attack against Orlando, with the combination between the duo going week-on-week. Rooney assisted Acosta's first goal, which was a well-placed rocket into the roof of the net after a neat dribble. Acosta's second was an opportunists strike at the back-post, and his third was a perfectly timed header that Rooney supplied in the dying seconds.
The win for D.C. United wasn't enough for them to move off the bottom of the Eastern Conference, though with 21 points from 20 games, United have a slim chance of making the play-offs with 5 games in hand over 6th placed Montreal, who are on 30 points. With the crowd behind them at Audi Field, this would be one of the biggest stories in MLS this season is Rooney and Acosta fired D.C. into play-off contention.
Also in contention for a seat at the table this week was Portland's Diego Valeri and Seattle's Nicolas Lodeiro, who continue to produce the goods for Fantasy players, but it is the differential in Acosta that was the real difference maker this week, and fully deserving of his place as our Player of the Week.
A lowly 2.27% of MLS Fantasy profited from Acosta's hat-trick, and with D.C. playing twice at home during Week 25, there's all the chance that this treble of goals will be the launchpad for the $9.0 million to become a key player as United host Portland Timbers and New England Revolution at Audi Field.
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All aboard.
