Four teams have double games this week, so the clear strategy is to load up on 12 of those players, two scrubs, and one single-game week player, right? Maybe? We'll dig into which players are worth considering and where there are maybe fewer attractive options from the DGW teams (and good single-game players). There are probably four or five players that will be on everyone's teams (and rightfully so), so it'll be up to you to find the right mix for yourself.
Week 20 Quick Rankings
Goalkeepers
Oscar Ustari (4.9m), Aljaz Ivacic (8.0m), Hugo Lloris (6.4m) Nicholas Hansen (COL 5.4m), Novak Micovic (LAG 5.9m), Roman Burki (6.3m)
Defenders
Jordi Alba (6.4m), Ilay Feingold (9.7m), Chidozie Awaziem (COL 6.6m), Eddie Segura (8.3m), Kai Wagner (11.7m), Alex Freeman (10.1m)
Midfielders
Carles Gil (14.5m), Djordje Mihailovic (13.1m), Telasco Segovia (7.3m), Ted Ku-DiPietro (6.3m), Anders Dreyer (14.7m), Martin Ojeda/Marco Pašalić (13.9m/11.9m), Evander (14.2m), Pep Biel (12.8m), Philip Zinckernagel (12.4m)
Forwards
Leo Messi (14.3m), Denis Bouanga (12.0m), Rafael Navarro (9.7m), Tyson Allende (7.5m), Leo Campana (7.5m), Tomas Chancalay (6.8m), Sam Surridge (13.0m), Ramiro Enrique (6.2m), Luis Suarez (10.3m)
Week 20 schedule
Wednesday (tonight) there are two matches. New England plays Miami at 4:30 pm Pacific and LAFC hosts Colorado at 7:25 pm. The Revs are floundering and are clear underdogs at home against Miami. There was some question about how Miami would perform after their disappointing exit at the Club World Cup, but thumping Montreal with a vintage Messi performance helped answer those questions. The Revs travel to Austin on the weekend, who just played 120 minutes and penalties against San Jose yesterday in the US Open Cup. Miami is home against Nashville on the weekend.
LAFC just lost a home game for the second time this year, this one 1-0 to the Whitecaps, for their return to MLS play after the CWC. Colorado just had an excruciating loss to SKC where various stats outlets had them around 4.0 xG to 1.0 xG, their only goal being a PK taken by Rafael Navarro. Djordje Mihailovic missed one earlier in the match and hit the post, and Navarro could not finish anything from the run of play. Colorado should be fine in the long run, but are sitting in a four-way tie for 7th-10th place and SKC and RSL are just 3-4 points behind. Can't afford to miss opportunities. LAFC is right there with them on 26 points but have four games in hand due to various rescheduled matches for weather, CCC and CWC. Colorado hosts Vancouver on the weekend and LAFC is up against Dallas.
Note also that Montreal and Vancouver host Canadian Championship games tonight and USOC has Philadelphia versus NYRB and Nashville versus DC. We could see some of those teams implement some rotation this weekend, especially the ones traveling.
Saturday is the normal slate of local evening games. At 4:30 pm there is: Charlotte vs NYCFC, Cincinnati vs Columbus, Miami vs Nashville, Orlando vs Montreal, Philadelphia vs NYRB, and Toronto vs Atlanta. We've got Hell is Real and 2nd place in the Supporter's Shield standings (NSH) taking on the 4th best team by PPG (MIA) as the featured matches here.
At 5:30 pm Austin returns after last week's devastating floods, this week against New England; Chicago hosts San Diego; Kansas City gets Seattle; and Minnesota and San Jose play after their USOC success midweek. It’s tough to say which of these games will be barn burners. Chicago were shut out and beat at home by Nashville and Philadelphia recently, but then they beat Charlotte 3-2. San Diego's defense has fallen off a cliff recently, conceding 11 goals in their last four games, but they are still top of the West. The others seem to be somewhat toss-ups to me. SKC has a -20 xGD but have still been managing results. How will Minnesota and San Jose play out after big midweek USOC action?
At 6:30 pm there are two matches: Colorado against Whitecaps and Salt Lake hosting Houston. Whitecaps have lost three of the last four, getting thoroughly outclassed by the Galaxy of all teams. A month ago you would have expected the Whitecaps to dominate this, and maybe they will with their internationals back. Houston just got a huge win at San Diego; if they can keep that form they might be able to break RSL's dominance at home.
7:30 pm has the Galaxy hosting DC and LAFC vs Dallas. The Galaxy could be waking from their early season slumber if last week's defeat of Vancouver was an indication. DC might end up as roadkill, but we'll see. LAFC is the only double home team this week and with good matchups. You probably want three of their guys.
The Sunday match is St. Louis hosting Portland. The last time Portland held a clean sheet was May 14th. St. Louis has not been shut out at home since April 19th. Of course, that was also the last time St. Louis held a shutout. Just saying there are likely goals in this one.
Thoughts and Players
Defenses
Miami – With New England's recent struggles, a road clean sheet is not at all out of the question. Plus, Jordi Alba (6.4m) is always a threat going forward and could easily deliver the points without needing anything positive from the defensive side. He hasn't had as good a year as he did last year, but any time you get to pass the ball to Messi you have a chance for points.
New England – I'm not super high on New England's defense, but they get two chances and play Austin on the weekend, who went 120 minutes midweek and lost Brandon Vazquez to a major injury. If he starts (he's questionable) Ilay Feingold (9.7m) has certainly delivered in the past. If you're picking another defender, you'll probably want to avoid Ceballos or Fofana, who are both on YCW.
Colorado – Another one here just for being a DGW, I think they could surprise a bit and keep pushing Vancouver down the standings, and perhaps sneak a result at LAFC. It's always hard to travel and play at altitude. If you want a Colorado guy, Chidozie Awaziem (COL 6.6m) just had his best game of the year (for fantasy at least), getting four bonus points. That is not likely repeatable (it's his only time this year getting shots and KP bonuses) but it is not like the other defenders are consistently generating bonus points.
LAFC – With two home games, you'll likely want either two LAFC defenders or a defender and Hugo Lloris (6.4m) if he's starting tonight. He was listed as out last week with an arm injury, and LAFC's game notes released yesterday said he was out again, but he did not appear on the injury report published by MLS. I'd guess they just forgot to update the game notes, but you'll have to check the lineups and see. For defenders, I like Eddie Segura (8.3m) best for his consistency and bonus points. If you want a second, I think Aaron Long is most likely to start both. I'd say Palencia except he's on YCW.
Kai Wagner (11.7m) – Five points last week in a loss with no goal contribution. This week they host NYRB. One of the top two single-game options in my opinion.
Alex Freeman (10.1m) – Gold Cup was perhaps a learning experience for Freeman, who had some moments but was not a star on the pitch. This week Orlando has Montreal at home, a golden opportunity for Freeman to join the attack and hold down the defense. The other option I have in my top two single-game options.
Goalkeepers - I have listed Micovic and Burki as alternative keeper options. I don't recommend them that highly, but if you want your DGW keeper to be Ustari or Ivacic, you can let them play both of their games and then use Micovic as your starter if they have two bad games. If you go with Lloris or Hansen, then I think Burki is the only real option since Colorado and LAFC play too late to pivot to Micovic. Otherwise, you can start with Ustari or Ivacic and then go with Lloris for your evening. Of course, this all could be a mess if Lloris does not actually start due to his arm injury, though he wasn't on MLS's injury list so should be fine. We'll see.
Midfielders
Carles Gil (14.5m) – He has a double game week and is already one of the top-five midfield options in the game most weeks. He should be on 100% of active teams.
Djordje Mihailovic (13.1m) – Even though his fantasy output last week left a lot to be desired, he could have had a monster game if a couple of shots had fallen for him. He's got a double this week and almost assuredly should be on your squad.
Telasco Segovia (7.3m) – The third-best midfield DGW player in my opinion. He's had a couple of great games and has gotten on the scoresheet in the last two league games. He also showed his quality at the CWC. He may be outscored by some single-game options, but I like his chances to outscore most.
Ted Ku-DiPietro (6.3m) – It took him some time to get over injury and get going for Colorado, but he's got a couple of assists and a goal now. He started both games in the recent DGW and had a goal and assist. His minutes are a concern but we could see another strong week from him.
Anders Dreyer (14.7m) – He had "only" six points in a loss, but he really scored one of San Diego's goals, it just deflected slightly off Valakari. Still one of the top options and visiting Chicago has been kind to other offenses.
Martin Ojeda/Marco Pašalić (13.9m/11.9m) – Ojeda is the play when he's starting, but both players have been very good lately. Since week 10 these guys have started nine games together. Ojeda has score more fantasy points in four, Pašalić in four and they tied in one. Ojeda is +21 points over Pašalić in that span, but that is almost all from his 21 point, three goal game in Week 12 against the Revs where Pašalić had four points. Ojeda is probably the play but either works.
Evander (14.2m) – At home this week for Hell is Real. Evander has delivered in big moments this year, and I don't see why this game would be different. The real question is whether you like his ceiling, with the risk of his low floor, better than some of the lower tier DGW options.
Pep Biel (12.8m) – I have not recommended him often this year, but I should have been doing so. He's got great underlying numbers and has been delivering for Charlotte. Double digit points in four of his last seven matches, three of them with a goal and assist. He could have another good game at home this week against NYCFC.
Philip Zinckernagel (12.4m) – San Diego's defense has suddenly turned deeply generous. As noted above, they've given up 11 goals in the past four matches. Zinkernagel is the top option for Chicago and could deliver a big performance. Definitely a single-game option this week that could easily outscore many of the DGW mids.
Forwards
Leo Messi (14.3m) – If you are questioning Messi just look at last week's highlights. Even if he doesn't start this match I would still have him in there and probably as captain.
Denis Bouanga (12.0m) – Still an elite option. He should also be on 100% of teams.
Rafael Navarro (9.7m) – The next best DGW forward option, I think. He's one of Colorado's penalty takers and has done better with them. He’s also the best target they have. What I like about Navarro over one of the other Miami options is it lets you run two other Miami players in other less deep positions for the DGW.
Tyson Allende/Luis Suarez (7.5m/10.3m) – Suarez is obviously capable of the spectacular, but Allende has also been strong recently and Suarez is on YCW. Either are reasonable options if you don't want to go with Navarro.
Leo Campana/Tomas Chancalay (7.5m/6.8m) – The only two viable New England forwards, Chancalay has great underlying numbers but has been injured lately. He's questionable so might not get the minutes anyway. Campana is solid but has not shown to have much of a ceiling.
Sam Surridge (13.0m) – Depending on how midweek goes, I think he can definitely score on Miami's defense.
Ramiro Enrique (6.2m) – He has actually come on strong as Orlando's best forward the last stretch of weeks. If you want a single-game forward and really want to take advantage of what could be Orlando totally demolishing Montreal at home, Enrique could be a massive differential.
Captain considerations
Leo Messi – https://www.mlssoccer.com/video/goal-l-messi-vs-mtl-62
Carles Gil – If Messi is not starting tonight, Gil is maybe the next best option given how many bonus points he racks up.
Denis Bouanga – One of the other elite options this week, very reasonable to choose him if for some reason you doubt Messi.
Djordje Mihailovic – He is not as reliable but can easily deliver massive scores like these other players.
