1 Brian Fernandez POR v. COL 10.9 US Open Cup did not make our forward choices easy this week, with both Fernandez and Vela suffering injuries but continuing to finish the match. Fernandez strikes me as more likely to play this weekend, but his match is late enough in the week that it would be understandable if you got cold feet.

2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic LA v. SJ 10.3 The Galaxy have been a one-trick pony lately, but the return of Jonathan dos Santos and Uriel Antuna should help fortify the side for the Cali Clasico. San Jose should make this tough for Zlatan, but odds are better than not that he scores.

3 Wayne Rooney DC v. NE 11.2 Rooney at home ranks high by default, but note that Acosta is suspended for this match and New England are suddenly a formidable opponent.

4 Jozy Altidore TOR at MTL 10.0

5 C.J. Sapong CHI v. FCC 7.3 I may lean towards using a different three players from the Fire, but Sapong or Nikolic have to be considered up top against FC Cincinnati.

6 Alberth Elis HOU v. LAFC 10.9 This ranking assumes Bob Bradley makes some additional lineup changes, in addition to missing Atuesta, after their US Open Cup loss on Wednesday. If it's mostly the normal starters, bump Elis down a few spots.

7 Raul Ruidiaz SEA v. ATL 10.5

8 Carlos Darwin Quintero MIN v. DAL 10.7

9 Josef Martinez ATL at SEA 11.5

10 Diego Rossi LAFC at HOU 10.5 If he starts, he will likely be playing without Vela (see below), Atuesta (suspension), and possibly a handful of other rested starters.

11 Carlos Vela LAFC at HOU 12.0 Vela suffered what appeared to be a knee injury and grinded out the remainder of the second half in US Open Cup on Wednesday. I would be very surprised if he starts Friday, but will conservatively include him right here in case he does. I'd expect a short shift at best from a tired Vela on the road, which isn't bad but not ideal for us fantasy managers.

12 Kacper Przybylko PHI at RSL 8.0

13 Nemanja Nikolic CHI v. FCC 7.8 This assumes he's a second half substitute, but put him level with C.J. Sapong if both start.

14 Mauro Manotas HOU v. LAFC 8.8

15 Adama Diomande LAFC at HOU 8.0

16 Heber NYC at NYRB 9.0 Returning from injury to play 73 minutes in US Open Cup is a pretty good sign that he can put in a shift for the derby on Sunday. Castellanos would be valued just slightly lower if he starts instead.

17 Angelo Rodriguez MIN v. DAL 8.0 Not to be outdone by Mason Toye's brace over the weekend, Rodriguez bagged three goals against New Mexico United and took an early seat after 63 minutes. He's very much playable when Minnesota are at home.

18 Gyasi Zardes CLB at ORL 9.0

19 Jordan Morris SEA v. ATL 8.0 Atlanta have looked far too complacent defensively the last few matches. This Seattle attack quickly turns any lazy defending into goals.