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By AVI CREDITOR

Even though all but one playoff spot is secure, every team with postseason aspirations still has something to play for, which is a big get for fantasy managers.

Instead of resting star players down the stretch, the top-scoring MFLS teams should have all their studs in action for the final two weeks as teams jockey for playoff positioning and the Supporters' Shield.

Among teams with the more enticing, fantasy-friendly matchups this week are the U.S. Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders, San Jose Earthquakes, Kansas City Wizards and Chicago Fire.

Here are this week's player rankings by position:

FANTASY MLS WEEK 29 PLAYER RANKINGS

GOALKEEPERS

1. Kasey Keller, SEA – Few teams are playing as well as Seattle, and Keller's form in goal is a big reason for that
2. Jon Busch, SJ – Playoff-bound keeper has a great home matchup against beaten-down Dynamo
3. Andrew Dykstra, CHI – If Sean Johnson remains sidelined with his eye issue, then Dykstra makes for a sneaky play this week against goal-challenged D.C., a team he shut out earlier this season
4. Jimmy Nielsen, KC – Wizards are still alive, and it's up to Nielsen to shut down New England this weekend
   
5. Donovan Ricketts, LA – Went seven matches between clean sheets, but he comes off one at PPL Park and returns home for an OK matchup against Colorado.
6. Nick Rimando, RSL – Tough matchup against FCD, but if the past two years have taught us anything it's to trust Rimando in big spots, especially at Rio Tinto
7. Bouna Coundoul, NY – Will look to hand the Union its second consecutive home shutout
8. Will Hesmer, CLB – Hesmer coming up big would be a boost for a stumbling Crew side
9. Stefan Frei, TOR – Faces the Crew, who have been shut out in four of its last five games
10. Pat Onstad, HOU – Returns to San Jose with an eye on salvaging a decent finish to the year 

DEFENDERS

1. James Riley, SEA – Great home matchup for Sounders defenders
2. Leo Gonzalez, SEA – Aside from last week's embarassment of Toronto, Chivas has been struggling to find the net with consistency
3. Jason Hernandez, SJ – Even without the suspended Brandon McDonald, Hernandez and the Earthquakes have a great matchup this week
4. C.J. Brown, CHI – As Brown has said, this season has hardly been a success, but this week provides a solid opportunity for all Fire fantasy contributors
5. Michael Harrington, KC – Wizards D should be locked in, and Harrington has three assists in his last four games
6. Sean Franklin, LA – Galaxy have already shut out the Rapids once this year, at DSG Park no less
7. Omar Gonzalez, LA – Has his hands full with Conor Casey but should have the upper-hand in that matchup
8. Nat Borchers, RSL – As safe as a defensive option as there's been; Has at least two fantasy points in each of his last seven games en route to becoming the top MFLS defender
9. Jamison Olave, RSL – Borchers' partner in central defense has been equally integral to fantasy success this season
10. Tim Ream, NY – Injuries/suspensions are taking their toll on the NY back line, but Ream & Co. still have a decent matchup at Philadelphia

MIDFIELDERS

1. Chris Wondolowski, SJ – Former club is next on the MVP candidate's hit list
2. Steve Zakuani, SEA – Sounders are on a roll, and so is Zakuani
3. Javier Morales, RSL – Morales-Ferreira matchup of playmakers/MVP candidates could be the most intriguing battle of the week
4. David Ferreira, DAL – Top-scoring MFLS midfielder has at least four fantasy points in his last four games
5. Sebastien Le Toux, PHI – Scored on the Red Bulls earlier this year and is a must-start regardless of the opponent
6. Freddie Ljungberg, CHI – Great matchup this week, but the Fire are just so inconsistent
7. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, CLB – Columbus needs a win to gain some momentum heading into the postseason, and a good performance by Schelotto would help move things along
8. Dwayne De Rosario, TOR – Had his three-game goal streak snapped last week, but is still Toronto's best threat to score
9. Sanna Nyassi, SEA – U.S. Open Cup hero is in the best form of his career and he's already scored on one Chivas this week
10. Davy Arnaud, KC – Has scored goals in two straight games as KC makes its final push
11. Geovanni, SJ – Solid matchup for Earthquakes' DP, especially with the suspended Geoff Cameron not roaming the middle of the park
12. David Beckham, LA – Set piece proficiency makes him a weekly threat now that he's fit
13. Dane Richards, NY – Still riding a great run of form and has goals in three of his last four league matches
14. Shalrie Joseph, NE – Has scored two goals in his last three games and will look to ruin Kansas City's playoff quest
15. Brek Shea, DAL – Just-capped Shea had a goal and an assist against RSL in their previous meeting

FORWARDS

1. Blaise Nkufo, SEA – Had his goal-streak snapped in last week's win, but has emerged as a consistent, viable threat up top for Sigi Schmid
2. Edson Buddle, LA – Front-runner for the Golden Boot has scored in his last two games
3. Landon Donovan, LA – Can add more steam to his MVP candidacy with a Supporters' Shield-clinchning performance
4. Alvaro Saborio, RSL – Is making a case to be earning DP money; RSL signing him will go down as perhaps the most critical personnel move of the year
5. Fredy Montero, SEA – His six-game goal drought may end this week, but at the very least he should be able to contribute a solid +/- to your total
6. Kei Kamara, KC – With no Matt Reis to deal with, Kamara could be good for a goal or two this weekend
7. Thierry Henry, NY – Should thrive in his matchup this week
8. Juan Pablo Angel, NY – Ready for a shocker? Angel hasn't scored a non-PK goal in his last 11 matches; My money's on that streak snapping as he looks to prove his DP worth
9. Patrick Nyarko, CHI – Has racked up 10 assists, including three in his last three matches
10. Brian McBride, CHI – For old time's sake; Plus, he has a pretty good matchup in final last home game and has already scored on D.C. once this year

COACHES

1. Sigi Schmid, SEA
2. Frank Yallop, SJ
3. Carlos de los Cobos, CHI
4. Bruce Arena, LA
5. Peter Vermes, KC
6. Hans Backe, NY
7. Jason Kreis, RSL
8. Schellas Hyndman, DAL
9. Robert Warzycha, CLB
10. Steve Nicol, NE

Soccer By Ives League Standings (Top 10)
1. I <3 MLS……………………………………….737 points
2. FC Byrd Turgler……………………………721
3. Yankee Racers……………………………714
4. Skillz…………………………………………….707
5. Cpt. Pancakes and Lt. Waffles…….704
6. Campione……………………………………696
7. The Lanark Ave Creepers…………….662
8. Timbers4Ever………………………………655
9. Latenite504 FC……………………………644
10. Star Metro SC……………………………638

LAST WEEK'S SBI LEAGUE TOP SCORER

Latenite504 FC (36 points)

———————————–Ricketts(6)———————————
–Franklin(3)———-Gonzalez(3)———-Russell(2)———Olave(1)–
–Wondolowski(10)–Ferreira(4)–Geovanni(2)–Zakuani(1)–Le Toux(-2)–
————————————–Buddle(5)——————————–

Coach: Kreis(1)

Soccer By Ives Prediction League Standings (Top 10)
1. The Cool Hands………………………….480 points
2. FC Byrd Turgler……………………………468
3. I <3 MLS………………………………………464
4. Sonnenhof…………………………………..452
5. Orange Menace…………………………..444
6. Ludacris Speed…………………………..440
7. Artichokers…………………………………..431
7. UTGunners………………………………….431
9. Jewel of MLS Fantasy………………….423
10. Deportivo Bella Vista…………………422

LAST WEEK'S SBI PREDICTION LEAGUE TOP SCORERS

Sonnenhof (25 points: 2 exact, 2 correct margin, 1 correct)

orange crush united (25 points: 2 exact, 1 correct margin, 1 blowout, 1 tie)

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Who do you think is in for the biggest week? What's your lineup looking like?

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