Here are our keeper picks for week 18.

If you want to see more, keep reading after the break. But please join the discussion at r/FantasyMLS, that’s where a lot of planning is made and last second decisions finalized. If you have questions, please stop by!

Just as internationals are ending, it’s time to worry about Gold Cup. Fortunately, not too many keepers are a risk to be called away. There are actually not too many that we like this week.

Keepers

It you look at the stats (from last week) for top owned players w/in the top 100 teams, Clint Irwin and Bobby Shuttleworth are the two most owned players. They are also two of the cheapest so this is not very surprising. If you have both of these players this week, we’re going to recommend you go with Bobby Shuttleworth. He’s had four clean sheets in the last five games and Chivas is not the best scoring team (8 goals in 8 home games). He does have a bye next week, so he might not be the best player to bring in for this week.

If the NE bye worries you, and you want to find a keeper with a little more longevity, then we have three more names for you. Montreal is getting ready to start a great run of games, and that makes Troy Perkins very attractive pick Unfortunately he’s conceded seven goals in seven home games so be careful. Nick Rimando is also another good option, and Real Salt Lake has been in very good form lately. It’s going to be this form that you trust for this game because RSL have allowed 10 goals in right games and Toronto has rarely lost at home.

If you’re looking for a differential pick this week, we actually have two options. The first is what many of you will consider a true differential. Brad Knighton, He’s not kept a clean sheet yet, but Vancouver is on a good run of home, and DC has only scored seven goals in nine home games. His ownership is at 1% and has no bye weeks any time soon. The other differential might be a bit of a surprise, Jimmy Nielson. Yes, he’s one of the most owned keepers at 11%, BUT he was only owned by 3% of the top 100 players last week. Maybe that’s a red flag, but they have three homes games out of the next four coming up. We don’t think they will stay with this run of poor form for long.

Final thoughts

• A lot of bye weeks dotting the map, make sure you have no conflics

• No info about potential keeper loss to Gold Cup yet

That’s all I got. I’d love to hear your feedback, plans, and insights.

These are our picks, if you think there should be more names on this list, please leave a comment or come to r/FantasyMLS and comment on the post. You can also leave a message on our Facebook page or you can find us on Twitter @FantasyMLSTips. Keep checking back for more updates through the week for other positions. Good Luck!