MLS Fantasy 2019: Week 29 Fantasy Forecast
Ahead of each Week in MLS Fantasy the Hype Train provides its informative Fantasy Forecast, where members of the Hype Team will duel for MLS supremacy in predicting scores, as well as going head to head in picking a Scout Picks squad for the relevant round of games. In addition, we give our insight into who are the players to watch and those to drop, as well as providing insight into captaincy picks, differential players for the week, and more. Welcome to the Forecast. All aboard.
MLS Fantasy: Week 29 Deadline
For the 2019 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 Week progresses.
How does our Forecasting work?
The Hype Team will compete in a weekly head to head dual of wits. The 3 members of the team will provide weekly insight for the Gameweek ahead, providing score predictions, a Scout Picks squad that follows MLS Fantasy rules, and will provide what insight they can for the fixtures at hand.
MLS Fixture Prediction: As pundits, we are testing our football acumen with MLS predictions and will be providing regular updated tables and stats in each edition of the MLS Forecast. A perfect score is worth 3 points whilst a correct result is worth 1 point. An incorrect score is worth nothing.
Blank Box: We've left an open space for the team to write that helps with the Gameweek hustle; identifying captaincy picks, transfers, attacking options, clean sheet potential, teams to look our for and avoid, differential players, as well as general analysis and comments.
Scout Picks: Picking a squad of 15 for a single Week, within their budget limitations, using the rules of MLS Fantasy - formations, the player limits of 3 players-per-club, and each team must pick a captain.
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 29
FC Cincinnati 0-3 Atlanta United
Portland Timbers 3-1 New York Red Bulls
Seattle Sounders 2-1 FC Dallas
Atlanta United 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 Columbus Crew
FC Cincinnati 1-0 Chicago Fire
New England Revolution 2-2 Real Salt Lake
Houston Dynamo 4-1 Orlando City
Sporting KC 1-0 Colorado Rapids
LA Galaxy 3-2 Montreal Impact
LAFC 2-0 Toronto
Portland Timbers 3-0 Minnesota United
FC Dallas 2-1 NYCFC
New York Red Bulls 1-1 Philadelphia Union
D.C. United 0-0 Seattle Sounders
MLS Fantasy Scout Picks: Gameweek 29
Overall Squad Value: $117.2 million
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting 11
GK: Clark (POR)
DEF: Leerdam (SEA)
DEF: Smith (SEA)
DEF: Robinson (ATL)
DEF: Gonzalez Pirez (ATL)
MID: Valeri (POR)
MID: Lodeiro (SEA)
MID: Royer (NYRB)
FOR: Martinez (ATL) - (C)
FOR: Fernandez (POR)
FOR: Ondrasek (DAL)
Substitutes
GK: Zobeck (DAL)
DEF: Crognale (CLB)
MID: Caldwell (NE)
MID: Hayes (DAL)
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 29
FC Cincinnati 0-2 Atlanta United
Portland Timbers 3-1 New York Red Bulls
Seattle Sounders 2-0 FC Dallas
Atlanta United 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Vancouver Whitecaps 0-1 Columbus Crew
FC Cincinnati 2-2 Chicago Fire
New England Revolution 3-1 Real Salt Lake
Houston Dynamo 2-2 Orlando City
Sporting KC 1-0 Colorado Rapids
LA Galaxy 3-2 Montreal Impact
LAFC 4-1 Toronto
Portland Timbers 1-0 Minnesota United
FC Dallas 1-2 NYCFC
New York Red Bulls 1-0 Philadelphia Union
D.C. United 0-1 Seattle Sounders
Week 29: Gameweek Insight
6 teams have a Double Gameweek:
FC Cincinnati
Atlanta United
Portland Timbers
New York Red Bulls
Seattle Sounders
FC Dallas
Teams to bank on in Fantasy:
Seattle, Portland and Atlanta.
Dallas and Red Bulls as alternate picks.
Cincinnati players as dark horses, though I'm not overly hopeful.
Who'd be my 4th Midfielder:
Emmanuel Ledesma (CIN) - The $8.7m option has successive home games and has scored twice in 3 games. He's one to watch for sure from this Cincy team who are showing signs of improvement under Ron Jans - FCC were very good defensively in their 1-0 win at Montreal Impact last week.
Captaincy Picks:
Main Man: Josef Martinez has scored in 11 (yes, 11) games on the spin. It's got to be the Atlanta attacker.
Alternative Pick: I'd go Valeri, though I think Vela might be worth it if his minutes aren't managed.
Can we realistically afford Vela this week?:
I am struggling to find a way to fit Vela in as the premium options in defence cost a mint. The only upgrade on my team would be to drop down Moreira to a budge pick and move Fernandez on to Vela. This would butcher any double ups from Portland and Seattle though. Tough call, but I think (I think) we're safe for a week given the good form of Josef Martinez.
Should MLS Fantasy continue after the regular season?:
I've love to write an in-depth article about this, but I do think that there could be a play-off bracket that could be introduced. Play-offs are the most important element to MLS as they're the only games with huge stakes in reality, so why not capitalise on them and bring in new interest in the game?
Cons are simple: Following MLS is exhausting and a lot of the players to dwindle off, so the game developers will have to weight up if it is worth making significant changes to the post-season game for a limited number of players.
What is the hardest part of following MLS in the UK:
- 3am games on the West Coast
- Mid-season transfers come out of nowhere and they're hard to keep on top of
- I genuinely think that it is hard for neutrals to pick a team to follow as a team that wins MLS Cup one year, can finish outside the play-offs the next (Toronto). There's no consistency with winning teams, and even though it is good for competition and growth within the league, it is hindering wider development internationally
- Commentary in matches is often insufferable
What's my current MLS Fantasy rank:
I've had a horror few weeks and sit exactly at rank 999. I'm cursed, so take my picks with a pinch of salt as I've had a bit of a regressive Fall Season, mainly due to my captaincy picks without Vela being atrocious.
MLS Fantasy Scout Picks: Gameweek 29
Overall Squad Value: $115.6 million
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting 11
GK: Guzan (ATL)
DEF: Moreira (POR)
DEF: Smith (SEA)
DEF: Leerdam (SEA)
DEF: Lawrence (RBNY)
MID: Pity Martinez (ATL)
MID: Lodeiro (SEA)
MID: Valeri (POR)
FOR: Josef Martinez (ATL) - (C)
FOR: Fernandez (POR)
FOR: Ondrasek (DAL)
Substitutes
GK: Freese (PHI)
DEF: Omsberg (MIN)
MID: Hayes (DAL)
MID: Etienne Jr (CIN)
You can read more of our latest articles from the world of Major League Soccer and the MLS Fantasy game by clicking here.
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Want to know more about The Hype Train?
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.
As well as providing FPL articles on our website, we are a founding Contributor to the new Fantasy Football Hub, where you can find more unique articles, including weekly Power Rankings, from The Hype Team. You can support us and read exclusive members only content for just £2 per-month by clicking here.
The Hype Train were nominated and shortlisted for the 'Best Football Blog 2016' by the Football Bloggers Association at their annual Football Blogging Awards (The FBA's), with the final presentation held at Old Trafford in Manchester.
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All aboard.
