By AVI CREDITOR

With just four games in the final week prior to Major League Soccer's two-week World Cup break, fantasy owners are forced to ponder whether it's worth using multiple substitutions to field a full XI. 

I say go for it. What's the use in wasting a week and playing it safe when you could potentially make a tremendous leap in the table? It's not like there aren't a couple of no-brainer games to choose from in Week 12.

Seattle and Kansas City have favorable home matchups, Chicago's offense is rounding into form and Los Angeles and Salt Lake will duke it out in a potential conference final preview.

Key in on the Sounders and Wizards players and take it from there. Here are this week's player rankings by position:

FANTASY MLS WEEK 12 PLAYER RANKINGS

GOALKEEPERS

1. Kasey Keller, SEA – Seeking second straight clean sheet against a team that's as likely to be shut out than any other
2. Donovan Ricketts, LA – Maybe should consider a career in MMA after his boot to Cam Weaver's sternum on Houston's fluky goal last week; Still the toughest keeper to beat in the league
3. Jimmy Nielsen, KC – Very favorable home matchup against Philly
4. Nick Rimando, RSL – Always a good play, but he'll have to come up extra big to keep Galaxy off the scoresheet
5. Andrew Dykstra, CHI – Home field gives him the edge over Matt Pickens in an otherwise even matchup
6. Matt Pickens, COL – Has quietly turned in three straight clean sheets and has only conceded seven goals all season
7. Chris Seitz, PHI – Not a very good play this week, but Kansas City hasn't been lighting up the nets recently
8. Troy Perkins/Bill Hamid, DC – Either way, you shouldn't be banking on a United keeper playing at Seattle.

DEFENDERS

1. Leo Gonzalez, SEA – Hard to expect another top-class goal, but he's got a great chance at some clean-sheet points
2. James Riley, SEA – In the same boat as Gonzalez
3. Sean Franklin, LA – Perhaps the top offense-minded defender in the game
4. Todd Dunivant, LA – Hard to not ride the Galaxy defense, even on the road against a worthy opponent
5. Omar Gonzalez, LA – Penchant for cards is only thing hold him back from being top-scoring MFLS defender; Next yellow earns him a suspension
6. Jimmy Conrad, KC – Home matchup against Union provides great opportunity for Wizards' defense
7. Michael Harrington, KC – A more cost-effective version of Conrad
8. Jamison Olave, RSL – Galaxy won't be easy to stop, but playing at home gives RSL an edge; Like O. Gonzalez, is one yellow away from a suspension
9. Robbie Russell, RSL – MLS Cup PK hero will try to break Galaxy hearts again
10. Wilman Conde, CHI – Rapids aren't pushovers by any stretch, but they've had trouble finding the back of the net in bunches

MIDFIELDERS

1. Steve Zakuani, SEA – Superb finish last week and will have his chances to create against United
2. Brad Evans, SEA – Free-flowing Sounders' attack means everyone in the midfield should get involved
3. Ryan Smith, KC – Was early-season breakout for real? Match against lesser competition should bring out his best
4. Javier Morales, RSL – Lacked creativity against United, but return to Rio Tinto suits Salt Lake attack nicely
5. Michael Stephens, LA – Three more assists last week for UCLA product
6. Freddie Ljungberg, SEA – If there were ever a game for Ljungberg to get on track, it'd be this one
7. Pat Noonan, SEA – The +/- alone should be worth having him in your lineup
8. Marco Pappa, CHI – Creative force, catalyst in Fire midfield
9. Baggio Husidic, CHI – Emerging as another Fire scoring candidate; Goals in three of his last six games
10. Jovan Kirovski, LA – Brace vs. Dynamo revealed even more Galaxy balance
11. Andy Williams, RSL – Injury woes appear to be behind Jamaican international
12. Will Johnson, RSL – Hard-working Canadian not as big a threat to score as other RSL midfielders
13. Mehdi Ballouchy, COL – Did well against the Fire in their previous matchup, though has been too inconsistent
14. Sebastien Le Toux, PHI – Union's best chance to crack Wizards' back line
15. Andy Najar, DC – At 17, Najar is already the top offensive United threat; Scary thought on a number of levels

FORWARDS

1. Fredy Montero, SEA – If the Sounders is offense continues to click, big things should be expected from Montero; D.C. defense is paper-thin after injuries to Rodney Wallace and Juan Manuel Pena
2. Kei Kamara, KC – He's great at home and should have his way with Philly's back line
3. Patrick Nyarko, CHI – Has six assists but still in search of goal No. 1
4. Omar Cummings, COL – Scored against the Fire in Week 2
5. Alvaro Saborio, RSL – Surprisingly held quiet against D.C.; Will face daunting task in trying to crack Galaxy defense
6. Tristan Bowen, LA – Doing a great Edson Buddle impersonation with the league's top scorer in South Africa
7. Conor Casey, COL – Converted PK against the Fire in Week 2
8. Brian McBride, CHI – Goals in two of his last three matches
9. Danny Mwanga, PHI – Stoppage time is quickly becoming Mwanga-time
10. Josh Wolff, KC – Just one goal so far after a breakout 2009; Matchup works in his favor to add to 2010 total

COACHES

1. Sigi Schmid, SEA
2. Peter Vermes, KC
3. Bruce Arena, LA
4. Jason Kreis, RSL
5. Carlos de los Cobos, CHI
6. Gary Smith, COL
7. Peter Nowak, PHI
8. Curt Onalfo, DC

Soccer By Ives League Standings (Top 10)
1. Cpt. Pancakes and Lt. Waffles…….330 points
1. Campione……………………………………330
3. Miles Davis FC…………………………….326
4. Timbers4Ever………………………………324
5. Skillz…………………………………………….319
6. Yankee Racers……………………………317
7. ShaggyReAL……………………………….314
8. Arsenal of Indiana……………………….310
9. The Woolly Mammoths……………….307
9. Rainbow Chickens……………………..307

——————–

How many substitutions are you making this week? Who do y
ou think is in for the biggest performance?

Share your thoughts below.