For anyone yet to qualify for the Champions League stage of the 2022 MLS Fantasy Soccer season, Gameweek 19 is huge. It’s the start of the last qualifying stage with all 28 teams playing once.

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Sean Johnson (NYCFC) Zac MacMath (Real Salt Lake)

After a shaky spell of four games with no clean sheets, NYCFC have responded with two straight shut-outs at FC Dallas and New York Red Bulls. They look a decent bet to make it three at home to Miami who have scored four times in nine road trips.

With five clean sheets in their last seven home games, RSL are one of the most reliable defences when playing at home.

Possible: Steve Clark (Houston Dynamo) Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders) Aljaz Ivacic (Portland Timbers)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Alexander Callens (NYCFC) Ruben Gabrielson (Austin FC)

Callens’ bonus point returns aren’t at the same levels as earlier in the season but he’s still a good bench option for the Miami game.

Austin FC have only two clean sheets from five but Gabrielson has returned 33 fantasy points in that time.

Possible: Domenico Criscito (Toronto FC) Justin Glad (Real Salt Lake) Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders) Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps) Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy)

Midfield

Essential: Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew) Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United)

New England aren’t easy opponents but the inclusion of Zela is a must this week. Over the past four (really 3.5) games, he’s scored 41 points.

Reaching double figures four times in seven games shows the kind of form Reynoso is in and why he needs to be in your lineup this week – assuming he is fit after a midweek ankle issue.

Recommended: Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)

Mukhtar doesn’t have the same floor as some of his midfield counterparts but when you hit nine goals in eight games that isn’t often an issue.

Possible: Santi Rodriguez (NYCFC) Carles Gil (New England Revolution) Djordje Mihailovic (CF Montreal) Pablo Ruiz (Real Salt Lake) Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders) Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew) Dejan Joveljic (LA Galaxy)

With four goals in three appearances (he’s yet to play 90 minutes) it’s fair to say that Cucho has hit the ground running. He also has a flourishing partnership with Zelarayan.

Joveljic has seven goals in seven games and is still only $6.9m. He faces an Atlanta defence who have managed three clean sheets all season, two of which were in April.

Possible: Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC) Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC) Taxiarchis Fountas (DC United) Jefferson Savarino (Real Salt Lake) Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Portland Timbers)

Captain

1. Zelarayan

2. Reynoso

3. Mukhtar

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

We don’t have much time to reflect on last week (thankfully) as we head straight into Gameweek 16 of MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022. It’s another big double gameweek with 18 teams playing twice and one game for the rest.

Stats courtesy of FBRef

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Sean Johnson (NYCFC) Quentin Westberg (Toronto FC)

Johnson has two clean sheets from his last three road games and NYCFC head to Cincinnati before facing Atlanta United at home.

Toronto haven’t managed a clean sheet all season but Westberg is worth targeting for his price and the home game against Columbus who have blanked in four of their last six road games. If he hits, keep him for the Seattle match or look elsewhere if he doesn’t.

Possible: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union) Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders) Maxime Crepeau (LAFC) Aljaz Ivacic (Portland Timbers) Carlos Coronel (New York Red Bulls)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Alexander Callens (NYCFC) Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) Diego Palacios (LAFC)

Despite playing a game less than some of his rivals, Callens is the highest scoring defender in the fantasy game. He continues to be a clean sheet and bonus point magnet – and he’s scored three times this season.

Wagner has an average of 6.88 and could deliver at least one clean sheet from games at Chicago and Columbus.

Palacios has 26 points from his last three appearances, including a goal and two clean sheets in that time.

Possible: Luca Petrasso (Toronto FC) Alex Roldan (Seattle Sounders) Bill Tuiloma (Portland Timbers) Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy)

Midfield

Essential: None

Recommended: Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders) Paul Arriola (FC Dallas) Sebastian Blanco (Portland Timbers)

With scores of 13 and 8 in his last four games Lodeiro is returning to his form of old. He should return at least one big score against Montreal or Toronto.

Arriola is sensational form with seven goals and an assist in his last 8 matches and is hard to ignore in a double gameweek.

Like Lodiero, Blanco is another veteran who is showing he is still a great fantasy option. He has 22 points fantasy points from two games.

Possible: Lucho Acosta (FC Cincinnati) Maxi Moralez (NYCFC) Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC) Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union) Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls) Carles Gil (New England Revolution) Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC) Dejan Jovelijic (LA Galaxy)

He’s one yellow card from suspension but Taty should still be in your thoughts this week – though it’s probably best to bench him. He leads the league for npxG+xA per 90 minutes (0.82).

If Jovelijic gets 150 minutes he could prove to be a useful differential. His last two appearances totalled just 91 minutes but he was still able to come up with three goals and two assists. Just check the lineups.

Possible: Cristian Arango (LAFC) Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas) Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Portland Timbers) Chicharito (LA Galaxy) Jeremy Ebobisse (San Jose Earthquakes) Ercan Kara (Orlando City)

Captain

1. Lodeiro
2. Arriola
3. Blanco

I’m on holiday this week so apologies for the shorter and untidy version of my usual preview. I’ve listed some of the players worth considering this week. Good luck.

Goalkeeper

Frei/Clark/MacMath/Ivacic/Blake

Defenders

A.Roldan/Gressel/Camacho/Lennon/Hadebe/Glad/Wagner/Bye

I don’t like the Frei/Roldan double up.

Montreal have conceded 11 goals at home but have an xGA of just 6.3 over 7 games.

Midfield

Acosta/Lodeiro/Mukhtar/Moreno/Driussi/Arriola/Diaz/Blanco/Gazdag/Gil

Austin and FC Dallas players could be popular but I’m probably avoiding that game.

Forwards

Vazquez/Montero/Bruin/Fountas/Araujo/S.Ferreira/Bou

After a well-earned break, it’s back to business for MLS Fantasy Soccer managers. Gameweek 14 sees four teams – Orlando City, New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps – play twice, while everyone else plays once. Some fantasy regulars may miss games because of international duty.

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders) Cody Cropper (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Matt Turner’s departure and Pedro Gallese’s involvement with Peru make the keeper roles at New England and Orlando unclear for the double week. Frei and Cropper are safer options and allow for a SGW option if either doesn’t work out.

Possible: Zac MacMath (Real Salt Lake) Sean Johnson (NYCFC) Joe Willis (Nashville SC)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Alex Roldan (Seattle Sounders) Brandon Bye (New England Revolution) Joao Moutinho (Orlando City)

At just $5.8m, Roldan is a potential bargain. He has assists in his last two appearances and his two games (both at home) are played before must SGW teams have taken to the field. A nice bench option.

Bye also has two home games, and he has reached double figures in three of his last six games.

Moutinho is averaging nearly 6 points per game, but Orlando have conceded five goals in two games and his productivity has tailed off during this time, scoring two points in each game.

Possible: Ranko Veselinovic (Vancouver Whitecaps) Ruan (Orlando City) Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) Alexander Callens (NYCFC) Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

Midfield

Essential: Carles Gil (New England Revolution)

With two home games Gil is an obvious pick (and captain choice) this week. The only threat is reduced minutes in one of the games.

Recommended: Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders) Mauricio Pereyra (Orlando City)

The midfield options for fantasy this week appear to be solid, if unspectacular. Lodeiro falls into that category when looking at his five-week averages (6.6) and his npxG+xA (0.45 v 0.33).

Pereyra has 32 points from his last five games and the home match with Houston looks like an opportunity for another decent score.

Possible: Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps) Luquinhas (New York Red Bulls) Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls) Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire) Santi Rodriguez (NYCFC) Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders) Gustavo Bou (New England Revolution)

Left out of the Peru squad for the World Cup play-offs, Ruidiaz is coming into some form with three goals in four games. He isn’t a huge producer when it comes to bonus points but there aren’t many better options this week.

With Adam Buksa gone the Revs will look to Bou for goals. He hasn’t seen much action this season but has scored in his last two games.

Possible: Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps) Chicharito (LA Galaxy) Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas) Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC)

Captain

1. Gil
2. Lodeiro
3. Ruidiaz

It’s Gameweek 13 of MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022. We return to a standard card with everyone playing once before the league takes a two-week break. Beware of some possible rotation due to US Open Cup ties.

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Maxime Crepeau (LAFC) Sean Johnson (NYCFC) Zac MacMath (Real Salt Lake)

Crepeau is a bench option for the keeperoo. LAFC are up against San Jose who have blanked three times on the road but scored three in each of their other two games.

Since the 5-4 goalfest against Toronto, NYCFC have kept five straight clean sheets including last week at DC United, where the hosts failed to register a short on target.

RSL have conceded in each of their last three games, but MacMath has still managed scores of 5 and 4 in that time. He has made the second highest number of saves in the league (54) which is great for bonus point production, if not for clean sheet chances.

Possible: Drake Callender (Inter Miami) Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United) Alexander Callens (NYCFC)

At home, Lennon has completed 90 minutes five times this season. He is yet to score less than six points.

NYCFC’s clean sheet run has already been mentioned. During that period Callens has fantasy scores of 11, 10, 11, 15 and 10.

Possible: Diego Palacios (LAFC) Brandon Bye (New England Revolution) Damion Lowe (Inter Miami) Kortne Ford (Sporting Kansas City) Justin Glad (Real Salt Lake) Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders)

Midfield

Essential: None

Recommended: Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) Djordje Mihailovic (CF Montreal) Lucho Acosta (FC Cincinnati)

Almada’s fantasy production is steadily increasing – over the past three games he has delivered two goals, three assists and 31 points.

With seven goals and four assists this season, Mihailovic is a regular provider of fantasy points and could pick up more at home to FC Cincinnati.

On the opposite side from Milhailovic will be Lucho Acosta, who has scored 63 fantasy points in his last seven games.

Possible: Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire) Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United) Pablo Ruiz (Real Salt Lake) Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders) Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas) Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC) Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders)

As well as being the league’s top scorer (9 goals) Ferreira is fifth for npxG+xA per 90 minutes (0.76). His opponent, Orlando City, are further weakened at the back by Rodrgio Schlegel’s suspension.

Taty should return from suspension having scored in his last two games before being banned. He is the most dangerous forward in the league and he is up against Minnesota who are third highest in the league for shots conceded per 90 minutes (14.54).

Ruidiaz has two goals in his last three games and is up against Charlotte, who have lost five out of six on the road, conceding 11 goals.

Possible: Carlos Vela (LAFC) Jeremy Ebobisse (San Jose Earhtquakes) Romell Quioto (CF Montreal) Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati) Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami)

Captain

1. Mihailovic
2. Almada
3. Acosta

Gameweek 12 of the 2022 MLS Fantasy Soccer season is a monster. Twenty teams play twice in a week that sees the end of the second qualifying phase for the Champions League.

Stats Courtesy of FBRef

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Bill Hamid (DC United) Carlos Coronel (NYRB) Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union) Joe Willis (Nashville SC)

All four look to have at least one clean sheet chance, with Hamid and Willis also having two home games.

Possible: Sean Johnson (NYCFC) JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Julian Gressel (DC United) Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) Alexander Callens (NYCFC)

Gressel has five assists in his last five games and is fourth in the league for crosses (48).

In addition to his attacking threat, Wagner looks to have at least one clean sheet chance this week. Just beware that he is one yellow card from suspension.

13 bonus points in the past three games mean Callens is a great option even before considering NYCFC have managed clean sheets in each of those games.

Possible: Sean Nealis (NYRB) Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union) Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) Mbacke (LAFC) Nathan (San Jose Earthquakes)

Midfield

Essential: None

Recommended: Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union) Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United) Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes)

Gazdag is goal and assist dependent but when you have goal involvements in eight games out of eleven then that’s less of an issue.

Reynoso has scores of 8, 13, 14 and 8 from his most recent home games. He starts the week at home to LA Galaxy.

While Mukhtar’s season hasn’t really got going, he has home games against CF Montreal, who have conceded 14 times in seven away matches and Chicago Fire (xGA 9.3 from five road trips).

45 points from four games makes Espinoza an obvious choice as he heads into games at home to Portland and SKC, both of whom have struggled on the road.

Possible: Maxi Moralez (NYCFC) Lewis Morgan (NYRB) Luquinhas (NYRB) Djordje Mihailovic (CF Montreal) Jamiro Monteiro (San Jose Earthquakes)

Forwards

Essential: None

Recommended: Taxiarchis Fountas (DC United) Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC) Jeremy Ebobisse (San Jose Earthquakes)

He has only played 60 minutes or more four times in his early MLS career, but Fountas already has five goals and two assists in those appearances. He also picks up the occasional bonus point or two.

Taty has the highest npxG+xA per 90 minutes in the league and has six goals in his last four games. However, he is another player one yellow card away from a ban.

Possible: Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders) Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas) Nathan Fogaca (Portland Timbers)

Captain

1. Fountas
2. Espinoza
3. Castellanos

We’re already more than a third of the way through the 2022 MLS Fantasy Soccer season. This week sees a return to a standard gameweek with every team featuring once.

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Jonathan Bond (LA Galaxy)

Bond is part of a Galaxy backline that has conceded only two goals in four home games (xG 3.8). They play FC Dallas who have scored only twice in four road games.

Possible: William Yarbrough (Colorado Rapids) Cody Cropper (Vancouver Whitecaps) Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati) Joe Willis (Nashville SC) Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Nathan (San Jose Earthquakes) Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United)

Nathan continues to be a bonus point magnet, even if clean sheets are eluding him.

A match against the Red Bulls may not be the best clean sheet chance but Wagner has four assists this season and should be in the bonus points.

14, 2, 12, 2, 3, 11 – Lennon’s recent performances have been ‘boom or bust’ – his inclusion is more about attack than defence.

Possible: Justin Glad (Real Salt Lake) Bill Tuiloma (Portland Timbers) Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy) Sega Coulibaly (LA Galaxy) Xavier Arreaga (Seattle Sounders)

Midfield

Essential: None

Recommended: Santi Rodriguez (NYCFC) Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew) Mark Delgado (LA Galaxy) Carles Gil (New England Revolution)

Rodriguez has 31 points from his last four games, including one goal and three assists.

His inclusion may be risky as he’s on the way back from injury and he has a tough away game but given his ceiling Zela is always worth considering.

Delgado chipped in with a goal last week to add to his normally high floor. In his last four games he’s scored 9 points twice and 8 points once.

Another player with a difficult road game is Gil. But, while there are other options, Gil’s fantasy scores from his four away games this year should be remembered – 10, 14, 10 and 12.

Possible: Maxi Moralez (NYCFC) Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps) Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) Marcelino Moreno (Atlanta United) Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders)

Forwards

Essential: Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC)

Ronny Deila has confirmed that Taty is available so he’s in. The best striker in the game.

Recommended: Gyasi Zardes (Colorado Rapids) Andre Shinyashiki (Charlotte FC) Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami) Ronaldo Cisneros (Atlanta United)

Zardes and Shinyashiki are both cheap and are ideal bench options as they play early in the week.

His last two home games have produced four goals, an assist and 29 points so Campana is worth some thought.

With xG per 90 minutes of 0.79, Cisneros is second only to Taty Castellanos. He has made an immediate impact at Atlanta, including a hat-trick last week. This week’s opponents, New England, have conceded 11 goals in four road trips.

Possible: Jesus Jimenez (Toronto FC) Julian Carranza (Philadelphia Union) Chicharito (LA Galaxy) Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders)

Captain

1. Gil
2. Lodeiro
3. Castellanos

It’s the smallest of double gameweeks for the latest instalment of MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022. FC Cincinnati and Toronto FC are the only teams doubling up as they face each other in the opening game of the week.

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Carlos Coronel (New York Red Bulls) Sean Johnson (NYCFC)

Coronel and the Red Bulls have three clean sheets in their last five games and are up against the Timbers who have blanked in their last two away games.

NYCFC have clean sheets in two of their last three and will be strong favourites against Sporting KC.

Possible: Roman Celetano (FC Cincinnati) Alex Bono (Toronto FC) Joe Willis (Nashville SC) Andrew Tarbell (Austin FC)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Rudy Camacho (CF Montreal) Brandon Bye (New England Revolution) DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution) Julio Cascante (Austin FC)

Montreal have a total xGA of 2.2 from their three home games but be careful with Camacho as midfield regulars, Kone and Wanyama, are suspended.

Jones returned 13 points last week while Bye has the higher average for the season. Both have solid attacking potential although a home game against Columbus won’t be easy.

One goal, three assists, three clean sheets and nine defensive bonus points have helped Cascante to be the highest scoring defender so far this season.

Possible: Christian Fuchs (Charlotte FC) Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United) Alexander Callens (NYCFC) Kemar Lawrence (Minnesota United) Diego Palacios (LAFC) Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

Midfield

Essential: Lucho Acosta (FC Cincinnati) Carles Gil (New England Revolution)

Acosta can be a frustrating player but with two matches and scores of 7, 6, 9, 9 and 8 in his last five, his inclusion is a must.

Another week, another 13 points. Gil is also a must.

Recommended: Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC) Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC) Santi Rodriguez (NYCFC) Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United)

Whether it’s in the starting lineup or from the bench, Osorio and Pozuelo are obvious picks this week. Osorio is scoring slightly more but both are capable of double figures this week. Just be aware that Osorio reportedly left training this week.

Santi has 27 points from his past three games and comes up against SKC who have lost all five road games.

If there were no double gameweek options, then Reynoso would be heading towards essential territory. He scored 13 and 14 in his last two home games and this week plays against FC Cincinnati who will be on their second game of the round.

Possible: Djordje Mihailovic (CF Montreal) Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls) Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC)

Forwards

Essential: Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC)

Taty was a disappointment last week but is still the best striking option in the game.

Recommended: Jesus Jimenez (Toronto FC)

With five goals in five games, Jimenez is a solid, dependable source of goals – and he has two chances this week.

Possible: Brenner (FC Cincinnati) Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati) Karol Swiderski (Charlotte FC) Rommell Quioto (CF Montreal) Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas) CJ Sapong (Nashville SC) Max Urruti (Austin FC)

Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps sit out week 9 of MLS Fantasy Soccer 2022. Everyone else plays once with Nashville SC enjoying a home matchup for the first time this year.

Stats from FBRef

Goalkeeper

Essential: None

Recommended: Pedro Gallese (Orlando City) William Yarbrough (Colorado Rapids) Sean Johnson (NYCFC)

Gallese has an impressive five clean sheets from seven appearances this season.  His opponents, Charlotte FC, have scored only twice in five road games (xG 3.6).

Colorado have kept out the opposition in three of their four home games and Portland Timbers are the visitors this week. Yarbrough also managed a couple of bonus points against Charlotte last time out.

Some managers will be cautious about going with Johnson after NYCFC conceded four at home to Toronto, but San Jose have a total xG of just 1.6 from their three road games this season.

Possible: Brad Knighton (New England Revolution) Maxime Crepeau (LAFC)

Defenders

Essential: None

Recommended: Brandon Bye (New England Revolution) Rodrigo Schlegel (Orlando City) Kortne Ford (Sporting Kansas City)

Despite only one clean sheet this season, Bye has only dropped below six points once in six appearances.

Schlegel continues to be a great budget option (still only $5.9m) and is up against Charlotte FC.

SKC have been a disappointment on the road but, at home, they’ve returned two clean sheets in three games. Ford is a potential bargain at $4.2m – he managed 9 points last week including a couple of bonus points.

Possible: Teenage Hadebe (Houston Dynamo) Luca Petrasso (Toronto FC) Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew) Lucas Esteves (Colorado Rapids) Dave Romney (Nashville SC) Mbacke (LAFC)

Midfield

Essential: Carles Gil (New England Revolution)

Gil’s 12 points last week was the fifth time already this season that he has reached double figures. He’s at home to Inter Miami this week and needs to be in your team.

Recommended: Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC) Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC) Pablo Ruiz (Real Salt Lake) Djordje Mihailovic (CF Montreal)

Osorio flies under the fantasy radar but has produced double figures already this season and has an average of nearly 7 points. Pozuelo’s 13 points last week was a reminder of what made him a fantasy favourite in previous years.

He hasn’t hit 10 points this season, but Diaz hasn’t gone below 5 points either, so is a solid if unspectacular choice this week.

Mihailovic already has four goals and three assists this year and could add to that against injury hit Atlanta.

Possible: Facundo Torres (Orlando City) Santi Rodriguez (NYCFC) Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)

Forwards

Essential: Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC)

After his four goal, 27 point haul two weeks ago, Taty ‘only’ managed 14 points last week. His inclusion is a must.

Recommended: Jesus Jimenez (Toronto FC) Adam Buksa (New England Revolution)

He doesn’t produce many bonus points, but Jimenez has scored six goals in eight games this season.

After a slow start to the season, Buksa has scored in his last two games.

Possible: Romell Quioto (CF Montreal) Carlos Vela (LAFC)

Captain

1. Gil
2. Castellanos
3. Pozuelo