MLS Tips Fantasy Major League Soccer Decision Day

This is it for another year. We are closing the season with the always-exciting Decision Day, in which the fate of many teams will be decided.

It was a very busy round last week, especially on Sunday in which some teams were left happy, others disappointed and a few still hopeful. Portland Timbers and DC United booked their tickets for the post-season, while Vancouver was eliminated. Montreal, Columbus, RSL and LA Galaxy left their destinies for the final day.

Gameweek 34 Review

DC United clinched a spot in the playoffs by beating NYCFC (3-1). Atlanta United won at home against Chicago Fire (2-1), while the other title contender, NYRB, won away at Philadelphia Union (0-1). Both results mean that the title race will go down to the final day! Montreal Impact shutout Toronto FC (2-0) to keep their hopes alive, as Columbus Crew lost (2-1) while visiting Orlando City (who won for the first time since July 14th). In the West, SKC went top of the group after a road win over FC Dallas (0-3). Seattle Sounders also won their away game at Houston Dynamo (2-3). LAFC shared the points with Vancouver Whitecaps in a (2-2) draw. In another road win, LA Galaxy kept their hopes alive by beating Minnesota United (1-3) while RSL lost to Portland Timbers (3-0) and will have to hope for survival on Sunday.

#SoccerSunday didn't disappoint. pic.twitter.com/6nD7RAjIAD

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 22, 2018

Gameweek 35 Preview

Every team apart from RSL will play on the final day. All games will be played simultaneously, so no manual switcheroos for the finale (although you can still field a scrub or two and make use of the auto-sub bench facility if you like).

LA ( W 13 D 9 L 11 ) vs HOU ( W 9 D 8 L 16 )

This is a must-win game for the Galaxy if they want to take part in the post-season. Anything less will see RSL (who are on bye and anxiously awaiting the result) through. The last two games at the StubHub Center saw the hosts shutout Seattle and Vancouver, so they will be trying their hardest to repeat that here. Knowing Zlatan, regardless of the outcome, he will do his best for the win.

The Dynamo road record is very poor, with only one win, but you could think about defence.

It just had to be @Ibra_official! #MINvLA https://t.co/pMGSllAWw3

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2018

NYRB ( W 21 D 5 L 7 ) vs ORL ( W 8 D 4 L 21 )

Most of the attention will be focused on the Bulls and Atlanta games, as it is a two-horse race for the Supporters Shield. Both teams have already surpassed the most wins in a season (20) by Toronto from last year and Seattle in 2014. The next milestone is the most points in a season. Atlanta are tied on 69 (with Toronto from last season again) and the Bulls are a point behind. If the hosts win here, and the Five Stripes lose, the title is theirs. All eyes will be on BWP and Kaku. A defender could be useful knowing the Red Bull Arena record.

SEA ( W 17 D 5 L 11 ) vs SJ ( W 4 D 9 L 20 )

The Sounders are already assured of a playoff spot, but with a win here, and an eventual loss from Dallas, they would move up a place and get a first round bye. Don’t be surprised if you see four Seattle players in many teams.

SKC ( W 17 D 8 L 8 ) vs LAFC ( W 16 D 9 L 8 )

This will be the battle for first place in the West. The winner takes it, but Sporting can do it with just a draw. It should be a high scoring game and it’s up to you who do you trust the most, as both teams are full of talents.

Rossi doubles the @LAFC lead #LAFCvVAN https://t.co/BES7azEDUx

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2018

NE ( W 9 D 11 L 13 )vs MTL ( W 14 D 4 L 15 )

If the Canadians win this game, they will have to pray Columbus lose or tie theirs in order to survive. This scenario is very unlikely, as they are not the best travelling team and playing on artificial turf is not the easiest job.

TOR ( W 9 D 6 L 18 ) vs ATL ( W 21 D 6 L 6 )

Last year’s Champions can’t wait for the end of this season so they can start regrouping for the next one. They will play for pride and possibly ruin Atlanta’s chances.

The Five Stripes have left everything for the eleventh hour. With only a single point lead over the Bulls, they know that there is work still to be done. They can do it, as they still have the best road record in the league (ten wins). That said, they have not been particularly at their best lately, considering they had to rely on an own goal from Chicago at home last week for the three points. You need to decide how much you trust Martinez, who hasn’t scored in the last four games. There are other assets who can do better for this team.

Make no mistake about that finish! @francoeescobar puts @ATLUTD up early and it's LOUD. #ATLvCHI https://t.co/0UUFaXp3Mi

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2018

NYCFC( W 15 D 8 L 10 ) vs PHI( W 15 D 5 L 13 )

There are lots of question marks around the Blues following their recent performances. Still, they have won 11 of their 16 home games and have allowed only 11 goals in them. As always, Villa will be leading the pack, but watch out for the playmaker Maxi Moralez, who missed the last game with a leg injury.

There are many possible scenarios for the Union. With a win here, they will need DCU to lose so they can move into fourth. One of the others is that they lose, and both DCU and Columbus win, which means they would drop to sixth and have to travel back to the Yankee Stadium for the first playoff round. The latter scenario is the more likely one.

CHI ( W 8 D 7 L 18 ) vs DCU ( W 14 D 8 L 11 )

All attention will be on the Black and Reds, who have made a mini history this year. From a team lingering at the bottom back in June, now they are sitting pretty with a secured playoff spot. Everything happened after the arrival of Rooney, who helped enormously with his 12 goals and 7 assists. The excellent collaboration between him and Acosta has grabbed the headlines more than once in the last few months. What next? With a win here, and providing that Philly lose, they will advance to fourth place, which will give them the advantage to be hosts in the first round. Let’s not forget that a big part in their achievement is the many home games they have had since the opening of the Audi Field. They have only one road win, dating back to April. Surely, they can add a second.

Lucho. Acosta. Simply amazing.

What a run to tee up Wayne Rooney! 1-0. #DCvNYC https://t.co/DfeTZ8d0Xw

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2018

COL ( W 7 D 7 L 19 ) vs DAL ( W 16 D 9 L 8 )

Not long ago Dallas were enjoying leadership in the West, but now find themselves in a fight to secure a first round bye in the playoffs. A loss here (you can expect anything in the wild west this season) will see them down to fifth, which would mean an away game to start the post-season campaign. The Rapids are known for spoiling someone’s party!

VAN ( W 12 D 8 L 13 ) vs POR ( W 15 D 9 L 9 )

Anything could happen in this last edition of the Cascadia Cup, where the home team will be looking for revenge after the loss in May. The hard-earned draw in Los Angeles last week wasn’t enough for the Caps to qualify for the playoffs, so all they can do now is try to stop the Timbers in their race for the fourth position.

The visitors have done their job to clinch the post-season participation and now the next goal is to move up a place to guarantee a home game in the first round. While Valeri has been quiet for a long time, Blanco has four goals in the last three starts.

CLB ( W 13 D 9 L 11 ) vs MIN ( W 11 D 3 L 9 )

The unexpected loss to Orlando last week has caused the Crew a massive headache. A defeat or a draw will not be enough here, and would see Montreal going through should they win in New England. The visitors have the most goals conceded on the road, equalled with Orlando, which means on paper we should be looking at a big home win. However, we know that the Loons are capable of surprises, which means the hosts need to be playing at their best.

Captain Suggestions

These three players are well known and don’t need any introduction. All of them will be involved in vital games for different reasons on the final day.

1. Wayne Rooney (DCU)

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA)

3. Bradley Wright-Phillips (NYRB)

Deadline

Sunday 28.10.18 at 3:30 PM EDT – 8:30 PM BST

Thank you to all readers and most of all I would like to thank Chipster for the enormous help and support throughout the season.

Best of luck to all Managers in this final round and see you next year!

Thanks for reading: MLS Tips Fantasy Major League Soccer Decision Day. This article was written by Ivan The Terrible