A nine-goal thriller, a six-minute hat-trick, a weather delay and locked in players becoming unlocked – gameweek 12 of MLS Fantasy Soccer had it all. But we barely have time to take it all in as another gameweek is already underway.

It’s another huge double week which sees Austin FC and Minnesota United playing once, with everyone else having two matches.

Goalkeeper

Think About

Eloy Room (Columbus Crew), Brad Knighton (New England Revolution) and Luis Barraza (NYCFC) are all solid bench options from the early fixtures. If your choice doesn’t hit, you still have two matches with another keeper. When paired with Tyler Miller (Minnesota United) you can play Room for his two games.

Other keepers to consider this week include Tim Melia (Sporting Kansas City), David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake) and Tomas Romero (LAFC).

Defenders

Strongly Consider

After fantasy scores of 13 and 9 on the road, Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake) has two promising home fixtures against LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids.

Brandon Bye (New England Revolution) has clean sheet and attacking potential and played 180 minutes in gameweek 9.

Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew) and Andreu Fontas (Sporting Kansas City) have mixed clean sheet opportunities but can still deliver decent scores through bonus points.

Think About

Colorado Rapids and LAFC are worth a look for defensive coverage.

Anton Tinnerholm (NYCFC) perhaps hasn’t been at the same level as in previous years but has two home games. His team-mate, Alexander Callens, has a higher average for the season.

Avoid

With Dan Lovitz and Jack Maher missing due to Covid-19 reasons, it may be best to steer clear of the Nashville SC backline.

Midfield

Must Have

Carles Gil (New England Revolution) remains essential in a week where there are so many midfield options.

Strongly Consider

Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew) becomes a stronger option due to the issues with the Nashville defence.

One Nashville player worth a place is Hany Mukhtar. His recent form, including a hat-trick against Chicago Fire, means he is hard to overlook.

Think About

Alvaro Medran (Chicago Fire) has managed scores of 13,11 and 12 in his last three homes games and has two more games at Soldier Field. Just beware that he may play in a deeper position than in recent games.

While he has a higher ceiling, Alejandro Pozuelo is probably a bigger rotation risk than his Toronto FC colleague, Yeferson Soteldo.

Other options for this week include Damir Kreilach and Albert Rusnak (both Real Salt Lake), Nani (Orlando City) and Joao Paulo (Seattle Sounders).

Forwards

Must Have

Carlos Vela (LAFC) is a genuine captain alternative to Gil this week and needs to be in there.

Strongly Consider

Gustavo Bou (New England Revolution) has six goals in his last seven games and starts the gameweek with a game at Inter Miami.

Think About

Daniel Salloi and Johnny Russell (both Sporting Kansas City) are worth a look, with their first game at home to San Jose Earthquakes. And don’t rule Josef Martinez (Atlanta United) getting back to scoring goals.