MLS Fantasy 2018: Gameweek 34 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 35
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 34 - Player of the Week: Wayne Rooney (D.C. United)
They've only gone and done it. The zeroes to heroes story was complete for D.C. United during a pulsating Week 34, which saw the Capital side confirm their play in the play-offs via the Eastern Conference - and realistically, who in a million years thought that this would be the case after.
DC only won 3 of their opening 17 games of the season (half the campaign in MLS), but with the arrival of Wayne Rooney, the rise of Luciano Acosta, and most importantly the opening of Audi Field, has transformed the worst team in the league in the space of half a season. DC's second half of the season has included 11 victories, 3 draws and just 2 defeats.
Ben Olsen's side have featured in 13 home games during the season half of the season and with victories against the once mighty Toronto, and a lingering NYCFC, DC have won 5 MLS matches in a row for the first time this season.
Two more wins last week ensured that 7th placed Montreal Impact cannot overtake D.C. United and they did it with a game to spare thanks to the influence of Wayne Rooney yet again.
Wayne Rooney’s Week 34 Points – D.C. United 1-0 Toronto
90 mins played: 2pts
1 goal: 5pts
3 key passes: 1pt
4 shots: 1pt
Total: 9 points
Wayne Rooney’s Week 34 Points – D.C. United 3-1 Toronto
90 mins played: 2pts
2 goals: 10pts
3 crosses: 1pt
5 shots: 1pt
Total: 14 points
Once again, as it has been since his arrival, we didn't ever envision talking and analysing Wayne Rooney as much as we are now - we never got close to this much attention to the former England captain whilst he was in the Premier League with Man United and Everton most recently. An arrival in MLS has rejuvenated international interest from journalists and sports fans alike as Rooney has been the star turn in transforming D.C. United into genuine MLS Cup contenders.
Rooney hasw scored in 5 of his last 6 league games, only failing to score in the 1-0 win against FC Dallas during Week 33, and in only 19 games has scored 10+ goals in MLS, adding 3 this past week as he scored the only goal against Toronto and a further two against NYCFC.
The only player to score more MLS Fantasy points than Rooney this week was Sporting KC's Daniel Salloi, though with no disrespect to the highly-talented midfielder, Rooney's impact and reward as the top captaincy pick would have provided make or break moments in tight mini-leagues.
With an away day at Chicago Fire on the horizon, we're convinced that D.C. United are not done as Fantasy options on the final day. They're only 3 points behind NYCFC and a victory on decision day could move them to 3rd in the East, which will yield an advantage in the play-off bracket.
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All aboard.
