MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022 has reached Gameweek 18 – and it’s yet another double gameweek. 22 teams face double fixtures, with the rest playing once. It’s also the last round for the third stage of Champions League qualification.

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Brad Stuver (Austin FC) Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire)

Stuver has managed three clean sheets in five games and looks like an ideal bench option for the derby at home to Houston Dynamo.

Chicago has two clean sheets from their last three home games and are at home twice this week.

Possible: Zac MacMath (Real Salt Lake) Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union) Joe Willis (Nashville SC) Aljaz Ivacic (Portland Timbers)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Gabrielsen (Austin FC) Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)

In addition to a clean sheet, Gabrielson picked up a couple of bonus points in Austin’s impressive win in Atlanta.

18 points in Philly’s destruction of DC United confirmed Wagner as the most important defender in the fantasy game. This week he’s at Inter Miami before facing New England at home. The only concern is that he’s one yellow card from suspension.

Possible: Nick Lima (Austin FC) Czichos (Chicago Fire) Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) Damion Lowe (Inter Miami) Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union) Alexander Callens (NYCFC) Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy)

Midfield

Essential: Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United) Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)

Reynoso’s impressive run continues. In his last five appearances he has five goals, two assists and a superb 54 fantasy points. If you don’t pick him this week everyone else will.

With seven goals, one assist and 62 points from six games, Mukhtar is another ‘must have’ this week.

Recommended: Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew)

Zela is fit and has delivered 17 points from his two full appearances since returning from injury. His partnership with new team-mate, Cucho Hernandez, should aid his productivity.

Possible: Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC) Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire) Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union) Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders) Santi Rodriguez (NYCFC) Jamiro Monteiro (San Jose Earthquakes)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Taxiarchis Fountas (DC United) Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas)

DC United may not be an obvious place to look for players this week but Fountas has five goals from six home appearances this week.

Ferreira has 11 goals this season, including two in his last three. He also plays twice at home this week.

Possible: Max Urruti (Austin FC) Sebastian Ferreira (Houston Dynamo) Jefferson Savarino (Real Salt Lake) Brenner (FC Cincinnati) Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati) Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew) Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC) Dejan Joveljic (LA Galaxy)

Captain

1. Reynoso

2. Mukhtar

3. Zelarayan