Week 12 MLS Fantasy Player Picks

Week 11 was an entertaining and somewhat frustrating affair given the unexpected poor performances from DC and the excellent showing from Orlando City, particularly in their second match. While I hit the jackpot with Cyle Larin, I also had Luis Silva and replaced DC pick-of-the-week Kofi Opare. I probably made a mistake using my wildcard, but still managed to put 72 points on the board and ascend the rankings in the Fashionably Late and Beat the Bloggers groups. Hopefully you fared well this week and are ready to move into the upcoming set of fixtures.

There's another two-team double week on the agenda in Week 12, as both New England Revolution and Sporting Kansas City play twice. Colorado Rapids, D.C. United, LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders all play twice in week 13, though, so there are plenty of options to consider bringing into your teams this week.

Both teams playing twice this week face difficult match-ups home and away, with SKC hosting the Revolution on Wednesday and traveling to Seattle on Saturday, while the Revolution will follow up their opening game with a home tie against DC. Given the travel and quick turnaround it wouldn't be at all surprising to see rotation come into play, so beware of the players you decide to pick up.

Of the Week 13 double game teams, things look most promising for LA hosting Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake welcoming a misfiring New York City FC side. Let's take a look at some options you should be thinking about adding to your squad heading into Week 12:

Goalkeepers

Bobby Shuttleworth - Of the double gamers, Shuttleworth is probably your best bet, considering the uncertainty as to who will start for SKC. The Revolution goalkeeper also doesn't have to face off against the in-form Sounders.

Jaime Penedo - If you're looking to switch things up at the keeper position this week, looking to the future is probably the best bet. LA have a strong home fixture against Houston this week and two matches at home in Week 13, so Penedo is a great pick-up now with an eye to the future.

Defenders

London Woodberry - Cheap starting defenders are diamonds in the rough, and the young Revolution fullback is an excellent way to buy in to New England's double for minimal investment.

Amadou Dia - Another cheap double game defender, Dia is almost guaranteed to start both matches given SKC's injury worries, but those same injuries may make clean sheets hard to come buy. Still, he should return his value over the course of the two matches and could help you squeeze in a premium midfielder or attacker.

Omar Gonzalez - On the opposite end of the price spectrum, Gonzalez is the only premium-priced defender worth making the effort to bring into your team this week. The Galaxy have the best run of fixtures over the next few weeks, though it is worth noting he could be called up for international duty ahead of game week 14, so you may not want to gut your team to bring him on board.

Midfielders

Benny Feilhaber - One of the front-runners for player of the season to date, Sporting's midfield creator has been a revelation this season, and is the key to success for KC, especially in the absence of Graham Zusi. If you don't have him yet, pick him up now and thank me later.

Teal Bunbury - With rotation a major possibility in the New England midfield, this recommendation should be taken with a grain of salt, but Bunbury has been in good form lately and could add to his goal tally this week.

Clint Dempsey - Consistency is key, and Dempsey is the model this season. Seattle host Kansas City this week, but you wouldn't bet against Deuce keeping his run of games with a goal or assist going.

Stefan Ishizaki / Jose Villarreal - The Galaxy are starting to return to full fitness just in time for a strong run of fixtures. Ishizaki will be key to the LA attack at least until Steven Gerrard arrives to take away set pieces and some of his attacking potential, while Villarreal returned to the pitch in the 4-0 loss to Orlando and could be ready to start in the wide attacking role this weekend.

Forwards

Juan Agudelo / Charlie Davies - One of the two strikers should be in your team this week. Davies is more in need of a rest, but his form could keep him in the starting lineup for both matches. Agudelo was withdrawn before the 65 minute mark in the Revolution's last game, so he should be fresh against SKC.

Dom Dwyer - The main focus at the top of the Kansas City attack, Dwyer has yet to reach his top form this season, but should score at least once across the two matches this week. Penalty duty makes him a more attractive option, as well.

Kei Kamara - More of a hold than an option to purchase at retail, Kamara has been in good form and wasn't troubled by the injury concerns that made him a doubt for Week 12. Columbus have a winnable home match against Chicago, so if you have the Crew man in your squad you'd do well to hang on, at least for another week.

Bradley Wright-Phillips - BWP is another option who, like Kamara, is a strong option for this week if you're looking to freshen things up elsewhere. The Red Bulls striker has been in excellent form, and with lowly Philadelphia (who will admittedly be high on confidence following their dramatic late win over DC in week 11) coming to New York, he should have plenty of chances to add to his goal tally.

Who are you looking at for this week? I'll have to drop Luis Silva after he picked up a hamstring injury for DC, but I've yet to decide whether I want to invest in a player with a double next week, or pick up an additional player from New England or Kansas City. Ryan Hollingshead may also go now that he doesn't appear to have the starting role locked down for FC Dallas.

Share your team and your thoughts on transfers and captains in the comments, and remember to set your teams before 8 p.m. EDT on Wednesday evening. Best of luck!