MLS Fantasy 2018: Gameweek 30 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 31
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 30 - Player of the Week: Miguel Almiron (Atlanta)
Heading into Week 30, MLS Fantasy players would have looked at an Atlanta United double bill of fixtures and had their expectations massively raised, and barring the right player selections, it was a highly successful week backing The Five Stripes.
Atlanta opened their account this week in a midweek 4-3 away thriller at San Jose, with Josef Martinez scoring with virtually the last kick of the game from a cross to core his 30th goal of the season. Heavy hitters got the goals for Atlanta, with a Martinez brace also met with goals by Hector Villalba and in-form Miguel Almiron.
At the weekend Atlanta then beat Real Salt Lake with Villalba netting in successive matches, whilst Julian Gressel scored an incredible volley from an Almiron cross to put Atlanta on the verge of 20 victories in MLS.
Back-to-back wins put Atlanta on 63 points, 4 ahead of New York Red Bulls, with Gerardo Martino's side visiting Red Bull Arena in a crunch match that is most likely going to decide the Supporters' Shield trophy.
Miguel Almiron’s Week 30 Points – San Jose Earthquakes 3-4 Atlanta United
90 mins played: 2pts
1 goal: 5pts
1 assist: 3pts
4 tackles: 1pt
5 key passes: 1pt
1 big chance created: 1pt
8 recoveries: 1pt
4 shots: 1pt
Fouled 4 times: 1pt
Total: 16 points
Miguel Almiron’s Week 30 Points – Atlanta United 2-0 Real Salt Lake
90 mins played: 2pts
1 assist: 3pts
Clean sheet: 1pt
3 key passes: 1pt
6 shots: 1pt
Total: 8 points
Captaincy favourite Miguel Almiron was Week 30's top performing MLS Fantasy player with 24 points, 3 more than teammate Julian Gressel who managed 21 points. Almiron's influence for Fantasy players is what made the difference, especially for those 4,488 who entrusted the Paraguayan international.
Almiron's start to the week saw attacking returns in 6 different categories in the 4-3 win at San Jose, whilst had a reduced impact against a poor Real Salt Lake team. Since Martinez's two-game goal drought in recent weeks.
Also in contention this week was LAFC's Walker Zimmerman, Philadelphia's Auston Trusty who managed to keep 2 clean sheets against tough opposition and Hector Villalba whose goal-scoring exploits put Atlanta on the verge of title success.
Of all the contenders though it felt natural and right to pull focus back on the best team in MLS by quite a margin, with Miguel Almiron's fine form coming to fruition at the right time of the season.
Atlanta's remaining MLS fixtures:
Week 31: New York Red Bulls vs. Atlanta United
Week 32: Atlanta United vs. New England Revolution
Week 34: Atlanta United vs. Chicago Fire
Week 35: Toronto vs. Atlanta United
With just 4 games left of Atlanta's season, Atlanta will be pulling out all the stops to ensure their first ever piece of silverware, so we're expecting a good end of season for the likes of Martinez and Almiron heading in to the post-season.
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All aboard.
