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Well, it wasn't the week most expected in a double gameweek that featured favorable match-ups for NYCFC.
Round seven of MLS Fantasy was a reminder that although double gameweeks can be incredibly powerful, they can also be devastating. You never know what's going to transpire as teams are forced to manage their players over two games in the span of a week.
In New York City FC's case, they decided to pull David Villa AND defender Jason Hernandez off at half-time due to muscle injuries before sitting both in NYCFC's 0-1 loss to the Portland Timbers. It was a cruel fate for 25.7% and 17.3% of managers who had Villa and Hernandez in their starting 11's. I felt so strongly about NYCFC this week that I decided to take a -12 hit and pickup NYCFC ‘keeper Josh Saunders, David Villa, and Philadelphia's Fernando Aristeguieta. Saunders made his value back, but I lost major points from the others' play. Aristeguieta was questionable due to injury, but played 57 minutes in Philadelphia's 1-1 draw with NYCFC. A full 90 was next against New England in their 2-1 loss, but only managed two points in the game for a total of three in both.
Shameful. Just goes to show how unforgiving MLS fantasy can be.
Just to show how ineffective this DGW was, look at the top score this week by the manager Ant Field (YNWA). He scored 93 points with only one DGW player in his roster while some had four, including myself. Boosted by a strong and bold captaincy in Castillo, he benefitted big time without the use of the DGW. I don't know if it was luck or just playing smart, but it paid off. I think it was more luck, but it's another reason why MLS Fantasy is a hard game to be friends with.
Columbus' Frederico Higuain topped the charts this week with 15 points, followed by Seattle's Lamar Neagle and Dallas's Fabian Castillo. Felipe Martins of the Red Bulls, Cristian Maidana of Philadelphia (should've #DaredToMaidana this week) and Sebastian Giovinco followed up with 12. David Ousted of Vancouver topped all goalies with nine.
The Colorado Rapids digressed back to looking like the Colorado Rapids in their 3-1 loss to Seattle while Dallas looked more like themselves in a rain delay-plagued match against Toronto FC that ended around 1:00 AM.
Managers will have a round to cool off and prepare for loads of DGW action in round nine with the New York Red Bulls and the Colorado Rapids heading into double action. Think about maybe picking up a Lloyd Sam and Bradley Wright-Phillips (if you can afford him) for this week to carry into round nine.