Week 13 MLS Fantasy Player Picks

After seeing a raft of points come from the Sporting Kansas City - New England Revolution double week in round 12, it makes sense to focus on bringing in players from the six teams playing twice in Week 13, though there are definitely some concerns regarding rotation and injuries you should be aware of before deciding your transfers and setting your team.

The teams playing twice this week are and LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, Colorado Rapids, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake and D.C. United. There's another double-heavy game week in round 14, with only DC playing twice two weeks in a row. For planning purposes, the teams joining DC in DGW action next week are Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew SC, Montreal Impact, Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps, so if you have players from these teams it's probably best to hang on and use your transfers to replace players from teams only playing once this week and next (small pool, I know).

It's worth noting that DC's punishing schedule means there will be a lot of rotation in the squad, and it's probably best to only focus on surefire starters like Bill Hamid and Bobby Boswell if you are thinking of investing this week, then review who is available ahead of Week 14 before transferring any United players into your team.

Here are my recommendations for week 13:

Goalkeepers

Stefan Frei - Seattle have two winnable matches and don't have the added stress of travel. The Sounders have been at their best in front of their home crowd, so expect Frei to deliver solid points this week.

Jaime Penedo - LA have a tougher schedule this week, following their home match against RSL with an away trip to New England, but the time between matches should allow enough recovery time for the Galaxy to field a full-strength team in both matches, and a depleted Revolution side pose less of a threat without Lee Nguyen and Chris Tierney.

Adam Kwarasey - The Portland keeper could be a cheeky alternative play this week. The Timbers have struggled defensively this season, but their keeper hasn't been to blame. A clean sheet could be on the cards against a weakened DC side, or against a low-scoring Colorado squad. Maybe even both.

Defenders

Omar Gonzalez - As I highlighted last week, Gonzalez is the most expensive defender in the game, but for good reason. With two matches, he's worth bringing into your team if you have the space for a premium defender.

Axel Sjoberg - On the opposite end of the price spectrum, Sjoberg is also a goal threat from set pieces and has been delivering consistently above his price.

Jamison Olave - RSL have perhaps the toughest schedule this week, with matches away to LA and Vancouver, but Olave is capable of putting up big numbers, as evidenced by his 9+ point performances on four occasions already this season.

Dylan Remick - The Sounders fullback has been starting lately and is a relatively inexpensive way into the best set of fixtures this week.  Not the flashiest of options, but one that is likely to return value at the very least.

Midfielders

Clint Dempsey - Deuce has been in exceptional form so far this season and is the obvious candidate for the captain's armband this week. With strike partner Oba Martins likely back in action this week, Dempsey's chances of adding to his goal/assist tally are even greater.

Stefan Ishizaki - The Galaxy midfield will change soon to accommodate the imminent arrival of Steven Gerrard, so it remains to be seen how Ishizaki and company will adapt, but for now the winger remains the best option from the LA midfield.

Javier Morales - After a lengthy layoff with a concussion, Morales looks set to return to the starting lineup for Salt Lake this week. He's a premium-priced option and Dempsey is almost certainly a better bet, but if you're looking for a differential the midfield maestro is capable of putting up big numbers.

Darlington Nagbe - With Diego Valeri set to miss out through injury yet again, the creative onus in the Timbers midfield will be on Nagbe. Expect him to be at the heart of the attacking play for Portland, who I think will score in both matches this week.

Forwards

Robbie Keane - He's been out a long time, but Keane made a return in Week 12 and contributed off the bench with an assist. Last year's player of the season will be a crucial factor to the Galaxy getting their season back on track and should start both matches if fit.

Obafemi Martins - We'll have to keep an eye on the team news, but suggestions from Seattle are that Oba is ready to return to the starting lineup. Along with his teammate Dempsey, Martins has been one of the best attacking players this season and his return should see Seattle get a lot stronger in the attacking department. Well worth the price if he does get the start Wednesday evening.

Fanendo Adi - Going for sure starters is the best approach on double weeks, and Adi should fill that role for Portland, who I think could surprise their doubters this week against DC and Colorado. A nice alternative to the premium-priced strikers available this week.

We'll get the lineups for the Seattle - Colorado match ahead of the 10 p.m. EDT deadline tomorrow, so if you're able to hold off on making your changes until an hour before kickoff, you'll be able to see if Martins and/or Remick are in the starting lineup. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on the team news before bringing either in, though both are high on my list of transfers. I may only use one in order to have an extra transfer ahead of next week, though.

How are your teams coming together? Who are you planning on transferring in and out for this week? Let's chat!