Gameweek 26 of the 2022 MLS Fantasy Soccer season is the smallest of double gameweeks. Only FC Cincnnati and NYCFC play twice, with the clubs opening the week against each other.

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Sean Johnson (NYCFC) Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati)

Going with one of the double gameweek keepers is an obvious place to start. Johnson looks like the better pick as NYCFC have five clean sheets in ten games and both of their games are over early in the gameweek.

Celentano is the cheaper option at just $5.7m. His second game of the week, at home to San Jose, presents his best chance of a clean sheet.

Possible: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union) Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire) Maarten Paes (FC Dallas) Steve Clark (Houston Dynamo) Zac McMath (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders

Essential: Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)

Wagner hasn’t gone below eight points in his last four games, with two assists and three clean sheets in that time.

Recommended: Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati)

Miazga has made an impressive start to his time at FC Cincinnati, with two goals and a clean sheet in four games. More importantly, he picked up four bonus points in last week’s win against Charlotte.

Possible: Alexander Callens (NYCFC) Thiago Martins (NYCFC) Joel Waterman (CF Montreal) Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United) Rafael Czichos (Chicago Fire) Andrew Brody (Real Salt Lake)

Midfield

Essential: None

Recommended: Santi Rodriguez (NYCFC) Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)

With Lucho Acosta suspended for one game, Santi looks like the best DGW option for midfield. In his past three games he has managed a goal and two assists.

Mukhtar’s ridiculous form continues. Five goals in two games and double figures for fantasy in six of his last eight games. He faces the Galaxy who have conceded eight goals in their last three road games.

Possible: Maxi Moralez (NYCFC) Lucho Acosta (FC Cincinnati) Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew) Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy) Lewis Morgan (NYRB) Carles Gil (New England Revolution) Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati) Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC)

Vazquez has scored six times in seven games and has two promising fixtures, particularly if Callens or Martins miss out for NYCFC.

He’s on the road (at Atlanta United) but Insigne has scored 13, 8 and 9 in his last three away games.

Possible: Talles Magno (NYCFC) Brenner (FC Cincinnati) Romell Quioto (CF Montreal) Chicharito (LA Galaxy) Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC) Diego Rubio (Colorado Rapids)

Captain

1. Rodriguez

2. Vazquez

3. Mukhtar