MLS Fantasy Player Picks, Week 34: The End

Well, it's the final fantasy week of the season and hopefully you delivered your wild card last week with some thoughts of this week in mind. The most attractive matchups appear to be the New York Red Bulls at Chicago trying to win the Supporter's Sheild (and Chicago eliminated), Portland on a roll and trying to solidify their playoff spot (against an also eliminated Colorado) and poor form Sporting KC hosting an LA team that does not travel particularly well. And cases could be made for several teams and players other than these. Let's have a look at the individual players and their matchups:

Goalkeepers

Adam Kwarasey would be my choice here, Colorado has struggled to score goals, all season long and they have been eliminated from the playoff race. Portland will clinch a playoff berth with a win in this match.

Jesse Gonzalez remains a bargain as a starter at only 4.4. A home game against a mediocre San Jose may be just what the doctor ordered. San Jose can still squeeze into the playoffs with a victory.

Tim Melia was probably added to most of our squads during the wild card last week. He is a viable option for those who wish to stand pat. LA has played much better at home than on the road, per usual, this season.

Defenders

Jorge Villafana is a locked down starter and priced at 6.5 for Portland. If you wish to add a defender, he is an excellent choice. He has delivered 29 points in the past 5 match ups and a clean sheet could be waiting for the surging Timbers.

Matt Miazga has returned to the lineup for the New York Red Bulls and they travel to Chicago to face the Fire. Coach Jesse Marsch has indicated that they are planning to finish the season strong and capture the Supporter's Shield. Miazga will be a part of that. Hopefully, he leaves the cards he is prone to get in the rear view mirror. HIs cost remains only 6.0.

If you like Dallas at home to San Jose this week consider any of their defenders. Atiba Harris at 6.5, Je-Vaughn Watson at 6.9 and Matt Hedges at 10.1 offer a price for every budget.

Tyrone Mears has quietly delivered a quality season for Seattle in the midst of their defensive uncertainty due to injuries and rotation. Their opponent, Real Salt Lake has been eliminated from the playoffs.

If you need a cheap defender as a filler, you can't go wrong with Donny Toia priced at only 5.5, playing at home against Toronto FC.

Midfielders

Sebastian Giovinco appears to the the shoe-in as MLS MVP. I expect him to be going all out in the Canadian rivalry at Montreal. He is an excellent captain option.

Sacha Kljestan is an excellent choice for RBNY. He gets a lot of points, regardless of scoring goals or assisting. Also a captain consideration.

Benny Feilhaber will be in the middle of things against Los Angeles for SKC. The LA defense was torched last week with 5 goals delivered by Portland.

Ethan Finlay and perhaps Tony Tchani will have to get the job done for Columbus this week. Kei Kamara has been suspended for yellow card accumulation.

Darlington Nagbe could offer Colorado match up concerns this week at home. He is worth a look.

Mauro Diaz of FC Dallas is capable of a double digit performance at any time, as evidenced last week when he put up 20 points across two games.

Forwards

Bradley Wright-Phillips tops the list. Without Thierry Henry to feed him this season, he has fallen off his Golden Boot total from last season. But he remains a solid goal scoring threat and is the number one option for the Red Bulls.

Fanendo Adi got things going for Portland last Sunday evening playing in Los Angeles, delivering 17 points. Who is this guy, you might ask? I am going to say get him and strike while the iron is hot.

Cyle Larin is going to want to add to his rookie goal scoring record, as Orlando travels to Philadelphia and tries to pip New England for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Division.

Cases could also be made for Robbie Keane, Obafemi Martins, Didier Drogba or even Mike Grella. Ordinarily, this last MLS game week offers a few unexpected surprises.

We are going to have an awesome and highly competitive weekend that MLS has delivered us as teams battle to get into and maneuver for playoff seeding. It was tough to keep my selections down to only 2 for my own team this week without taking any hits.

My team will look like this: Kwarasey, Ellis, Harris, Miazga, J. Morales, Feilhaber, Giovinco(c), Kljestan, Ulloa, Adi, BWP.

In closing, I just wanted to say what a privilege it has been to write these articles each week for the past 10 weeks for Never Manage Alone and for you. I'm looking forward to the possibility of doing it again next season and hope my selections contributed to your success along the way. Best wishes with your matches this Sunday and as usual please share your thoughts and or comments in the section below.

Cheers to all, Charles