MLS Fantasy 2018: Gameweek 31 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 32
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 31 - Player of the Week: Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle)
31 down, just 4 to go. The 2018 MLS season has come and gone in the blink of an eye, with the final weeks of the season shaping up nicely with the Supporters' Shield race going down to the wire between Atlanta and New York Red Bulls, whilst only a few select sides have confirmed their post-season birth.
Seattle Sounders are the topic of our Player of the Week article and took a big stride in securing their own play-off space. A comprehensive 4-0 victory over a Colorado Rapids side who have only managed 24 points this season.
Goals from Rui Ruidiaz (2), Nicolas Lodeiro and Victor Rodriguez was perhaps a week to late for many MLS Fantasy players, with Lodeiro and Ruidiaz popular last Gameweek when Seattle lost both their previous encounters against Philadelpia Union and LA Galaxy.
The comprehensive victory moved Seattle up to 5th in the Western Conference on 47 points, just 3 points clear of 7th placed LA Galaxy, though The Sounders have a game in hand.

Nicolas Lodeiro’s Week 31 Points – Seattle Sounders 4-0 Colorado Rapids
90 mins played: 2pts
1 goals: 5pts
2 assists: 6pts
Clean sheet: 1pt
Penalty earned: 2pts
86 passes: 2pts
6 key passes: 2pts
4 crosses: 1pt
2 big chances created: 2pts
Total: 23 points
Seattle's win was inspired by the Audi Player of the Week, Nicolas Lodeiro, who created 2 assists as well as scoring and earning a penalty. Lodeiro was instrumental in Seattle's first goal against Colorado. Lodeiro started the attack, got a return ball in the penalty area, forced a save out of Tim Howard, before chasing up on his own shot and teeing up Ruidiaz to slot home from the 6 yard line.
Lodeiro then earned his team a penalty when he was tripped in the box by Kellyn Acosta, though it appeared that Lodeiro tripped himself up in the penalty area, so was very fortunate given that VAR is active in MLS. Lodeiro scored the resulting spot-kick, though Tim Howard was unlucky not to save a shot that bobbled just under the goalkeeper's body.
Involved in 3 of Seattle's 4 games, Lodeiro was at the heart of everything positive and heavily rewarded the 4.24% of Fantasy players that back the midfielder last week. On top of the basic stats, Lodeiro earned 2 points for passes, key passes and big chances created.
The unmatched 23 points against Colorado is perhaps the biggest bonus points contribution from a player in a game this season and it's probably unlikely that we'll get another better individual impact in the 2018 Fantasy season.
Seattle end Week 32 with a home tie against a Houston Dynamo side that won't be going to the play-offs despite a strong start to the season. It looks like another potentially mouthwatering tie for Lodeiro as Seattle look to make plans in November.

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All aboard.