OK, so mid-week games really kill me when it comes to getting tips out. So I’m going to try something a little different this week. This article will be a bit more free form and will cover all the positions.

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!

So first off, there are three big variables to keep in mind when making your picks. 1) Week 12 has Philly (H/H) and LA (A/A) playing a double game. 2) Week 15 is coming up and a lot of teams will have a bye then. 3) World Cup qualifiers are going to be starting soon, so some players will be leaving for international duty.

Keepers

If you want a big gun this week, Tally Hall and Jimmy Nielsen have some good games. As far as the double game week goes, Zac MacMath seems to have a better chance than Carlo Cudicini. Philly have allowed six goals while at home, but one of those games is against Chicago, who have only scored one on the road. Cudicini might have a little more trouble. The Philly game is a tossup; buy New York could be tough for LA. New York has found a bit of form, and they have scored eight goals at home. He’s definitely not worth a -4. Two of the cheaper keepers actually jump out to us this week. Clint Irwin has been in good form, and has helped Colorado to have the 2nd best form in the entire league. Bobby Shuttleworth is another player we like, but not really this week. Like Irwin he has a tough game, but after this week, NE has a string of home games.

Defenders

Collin’s out, that’s the big news this week and what I’m sure most managers did not plan for. Some people are dropping him, be we think he’s worth hanging onto. Personally, I plan to keep him through the SKC double bye weeks of 15 and 16. So who’s good now? Well with Parke still being questionable, it’s hard to recommend him. It’s just too much of a risk, so what about the other double game team? Omar Gonzalez is the hot man right now, and for good reason, he has some excellent bonus point returns. But LA have to away games, and that is not their strong spot. Also, Gonzalez is a risk for USMNT duty. So what do you do without Omar? Well, we like LA players because they don’t have any bye weeks coming up. Todd Dunivant is a risk move; he’s been training with the team and could be fit by the time lineups are announced (which will be before deadline). We still like Olave too since New York has a nice run of home games leading into Week 15. Differential: Young-Pyo Lee.

Midfielders

In Zusi we no longer trust. That’s the hard lesson from these last two weeks. Houston and Kansas City have some favorable games this week and are still worth having. If Dallas get their players healthy again, they are still nice, but what a hit for those guys to be all injured. The big news is that Landon Donovan might not be rejoining the USMNT right away, if so, he could be a stable source of points over the next few weeks when many international players are gone. If you’re looking for some Portland coverage, we like Diego Valeri over Will Johnson, but it’s not worth making lateral swap for. For the double games, Amobi Okugo is the standout for Philly, but for LA, eah, it’s just hard to pick a guy. We think Magee is overrated, but Juninho is not quite putting the points out that we hoped. Marcelo Sarvas seems to be a hot pick for those not going with Donovan. But keep an eye on Javier Morales. RSL are away this week, but then they have three home games in a row, and they have a nice home record.

Forwards

Double game week, so you almost have to have Jack McInerney. The LA game is iffy, but Chicago looks like a good chance for points. Keane is on the other side of the double game week, but he also has international worries, but is a good option if you just want him for this week. For the non-double teams, you have to give Will Bruin some love after turning it on last week, but transfer him in with caution. Chris Wondolowski is going up against Colorado. Irwin has been great for them, but it is a nice looking matchup. With Zusi seemingly out of form, you have to look at Claudio Bieler too.

Final thoughts

• For the love of all that is good in the world SELL HAMID!

• It makes me cry that Montreal has so many bye weeks. Be sure you have depth if you own them.

• Not a lot of love for Seattle, but they look better if Dallas still has midfield troubles.

• Toronto vs Columbus. Yeah, I don’t know.

• Rodney Wallace is also a potential International risk; consider that if you like him.

• THINK about your week 15 team, trust me.

That’s all I got. I hope the stream of consciousness was not too hard to follow. Blast these early games!

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!