The stars will be shining in Round 12 of MLS Fantasy as we roll into Rivalry Week presented by Continental Tire. Big rivalries tend to produce big performances, setting the stage for a fantasy point-packed weekend of Major League Soccer. Let’s get right into it and hit on the top plays and values to help your team make some moves on the leaderboards.
Teams on a BYE: MIN
Goalkeepers
Roman Bürki has kept a clean sheet in three of his last four appearances, and he’s in prime position to secure another shutout at CITYPARK on Saturday. Up next is a Chicago Fire attack that’s been kept off the scoresheet in four consecutive matches after last week’s 1-0 home loss to last-place New England Revolution.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Roman Bürki | STL | vs. CHI | $7.1 |
2. Carlos Coronel | RBNY | vs. NE | $6.6 |
3. Sean Johnson | TOR | vs. NYC | $7.2 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Oliver Semmle | PHI | vs. ORL | $4.2 |
Defenders
Kai Wagner registered his third assist of 2024 in last week’s 2-2 draw at D.C United., earning multiple bonus points for crosses and key passes in the process. The star left back continues to cross the ball at a high clip and, in a favorable matchup vs. Orlando City, has an opportunity to produce both attacking and defensive points.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Kai Wagner | PHI | vs. ORL | $8.8 |
2. Brooks Lennon | ATL | vs. DC | $9.5 |
3. Tomas Totland | STL | vs. CHI | $7.7 |
4. Maya Yoshida | LA | vs. RSL | $9.6 |
5. Adilson Malanda | CLT | vs. NSH | $6.7 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1. John Tolkin | RBNY | vs. NE | $6.1 |
2. Zac McGraw | POR | vs. SEA | $5.0 |
Midfielders
Riqui Puig comes into Saturday’s clash vs. Real Salt Lake with fresh legs after serving a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation. The Galaxy will gladly welcome back their attacking sparkplug after going scoreless for the second consecutive match last week. Puig is averaging nearly eight fantasy points per game across 10 appearances, and he comes with a relatively safe floor given his ability to rack up bonus points regardless of goals or assists.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Riqui Puig | LA | vs. RSL | $12.9 |
2. Thiago Almada | ATL | vs. DC | $12.4 |
3. Joseph Paintsil | LA | vs. RSL | $12.1 |
4. Luciano Acosta | CIN | at CLB | $13.5 |
5. Emil Forsberg | RBNY | vs. NE | $10.7 |
6. Hany Mukhtar | NSH | at CLT | $9.6 |
7. Carles Gil | NE | at RBNY | $11.8 |
8. Ryan Gauld | VAN | at LAFC | $10.9 |
9. Dániel Gazdag | PHI | vs. ORL | $9.9 |
10. Lewis Morgan | RBNY | vs. NE | $10.1 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1. João Paulo | SEA | at POR | $6.9 |
2. Johnny Russell | SKC | vs. HOU | $6.3 |
3. Nikola Petkovic | CLT | vs. NSH | $4.9 |
Forwards
Lionel Messi put up video game numbers in Miami’s 6-2 shellacking of the New York Red Bulls in Round 11, finishing with an eye-popping 28 fantasy points to lead all scorers. Strike partner Luis Suárez was not far behind with 22 points, making it clear both forwards warrant serious consideration regardless of matchup. Look for the deadly duo to make an impact and help Miami avenge a 3-2 loss to Montréal earlier in the season – a match that Messi missed and Suárez logged just 13 minutes in.
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Lionel Messi | MIA | at MTL | $13.5 |
2. Cucho Hernández | CLB | vs. CIN | $11.2 |
3. Denis Bouanga | LAFC | vs. VAN | $12.9 |
4. Luis Suárez | MIA | at MTL | $13.1 |
5. Giorgos Giakoumakis | ATL | vs. DC | $9.1 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Dániel Sallói | SKC | vs. HOU | $6.2 |
2. Kerwin Vargas | CLT | vs. NSH | $6.9 |
Player | Team | Opponent | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Lionel Messi | MIA | at MTL | $13.5 |
2. Riqui Puig | LA | vs. RSL | $12.9 |
3. Thiago Almada | ATL | vs. DC | $12.4 |
All players who participate in (3) or more rounds by May 26, 2024, will be entered into the MLS Pick’em Sweepstakes. One player from that pool will be randomly selected to win a 2024 MLS All-Star Game VIP Experience. Don’t forget to get your picks in early and often!
Pick’em advice:
Pick 1: CF Montréal vs. Inter Miami CF
Who is going to score first in the second half?
Inter Miami CF – Inter Miami are scoring for fun, and I’m going to continue riding that wave. The Herons have scored first in the second half in five consecutive matches, and I’m banking on them to keep it going in Canada on Saturday.
Pick 4: LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
Who is going to win?
LA Galaxy – The LA Galaxy will look to right the ship after going winless over their last two matches. The return of Puig could be the boost they need to get back on track and leapfrog Real Salt Lake for the top spot in the Western Conference.
