Rate My Team - Game week 33

Welcome to the second and final of this season’s Rate My Team Surgeries.

These articles will look at initial MLS Fantasy squads and will be published ahead of Gameweek 32. Each time one of the MLS Scout moderator and contributor team will put forward their selection for scrutiny in order to start the discussion.

The aim is to highlight some of the key concerns we have faced in constructing our squads, which hopefully will chime with other MLS Fantasy managers’ issues.

In addition, we want the comment section to provide a useful opportunity for you to submit your own RMTs. Please also be helpful to those asking for advice. The key to successful rating of teams is to give advice as well.

I have drawn the first straw to start off this series with my balanced 3-4-3 selection.

MY TEAM

KEY CONCERNS

My over reliance on San Jose Earthquakes is a major high point for myself this week as San Jose Earthquakes go hard for a playoffs spot. It is the gaping The Quakes shaped hole in my squad has been filled, that was my biggest issue as San Jose’s fixture with Minnesota United is a great fixture to end the season, it was a big cause of concern for myself.

A FC Dallas combination was also needed as they also will be looking to secure a playoff spot out of the Western Conference, denying San Jose and Real Salt Lake. Would I be better off going for a Real Salt Lake guy, or indeed the save points that perhaps I could still some points out of an Atlanta United or Toronto FC player, to finish the season strongly?

NAILED ON PICKS

Combination is driving my initial selection – and that for me is why Victor Bernandez, Jahmir Hyka, Valeri Kazaishvili and Chris Wondolowski are all nailed on this week. With what is at stake this week, quadrupling up, seemed the easiest plan.

Joao Plata looks the best attacking Real Salt Lake option for me and is the only attacker out of Salt Lake City that I would consider this weekend.

Max Urruti looks essential for me. Colorado Rapids are among the best MLS Fantasy resources due to their command of attacking points.

Chris Wondolowski like I have mentioned before, won’t be making way for anyone this weekend, more the other way round, if you ask me.

THE PUNT

Anton Walkes is my main punt, more like the odd man out this weekend. I originally had thought perhaps Atlanta United, will want to finish off the MLS regular season in style and set themselves up for the playoffs. I was also thinking the same for Seattle Sounders when picking Joevin Jones. This was seen by Atlanta’s 0-0 loss to the Red Bulls. I am sticking with Walkes though as, Atlanta have made the playoffs for the post season and I would like to think that The Five Stripes will be wanting to finish off the season on a high-point.

FORMATION

I’ve tried to construct a team around a four at the back formation but it just doesn’t sit right with this dullard. I favour the attacking prospects of midfielders and strikers over the dull ache of disappointment when a defender loses a clean sheet.

I’m currently favouring 3-4-3 but am willing to swap to 3-5-2 should five viable midfielders emerge and the third striker well dries up completely.