This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
Welcome to our first ever Major League Soccer column for DraftKings contests.Similar to their Premier League game, you have a $50,000 salary cap to build a roster made up of one goalkeeper, two defenders, two midfielders, two forwards and one flex.
And also like their EPL game, points are awarded as follows:
Goal = +10 PTs
Assist = +6 PTs
Shot = +1 PTs
Shot on Goal = +1 PTs
Crosses = +1 PTs
Fouls Drawn = +0.75 PTs
Red Card = -1 PTs
Saves (GK) = +2 PTs
Goal Allowed (GK) = -2 PTs
Clean Sheet (GK, D) = +5 PTs
One Goal Allowed (GK, D) = +2 PTs
Win (GK) = +5 PTs
Penalty Kick Save (GK) = +3 PTs
Be sure to check out these GPPs that, as of posting time, have a lot of overlay as DraftKings gauges interest in MLS over the next couple of weeks:
$15K MLS Kick-Off Special ($2,500 first prize), Entry Fee: $20
$7K Treble ($2,500 first prize), Entry Fee: $300
$5K Striker ($400 first prize), Entry Fee: $3
and many more…
The following games are included (contests go live at 7:00 p.m. ET):
Houston Dynamo at D.C. United
Orlando SC at Columbus Crew SC
Toronto FC at FC Dallas
Seattle Sounders at Colorado Rapids
Vancouver Whitecaps at Real Salt Lake
Sporting KC at LA Galaxy
With injuries, suspensions and international duty in full swing, squads are constantly changing. If you want to compete for a top prize, it is crucial to study starting lineups before a match kicks off. Starting lineups are generally posted an hour before each match starts. With that being said, let's get to the picks:
Goalkeepers
Jaime Penedo ($5,600)
Penedo showed why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the league in last weekends 1-0 win over Seattle. The Galaxy netminder racked up 10 saves on the way to picking up a clean sheet. He now hosts Sporting KC, who were held to a scoreless draw at home in their last outing and will find it just as tough to beat Penedo at L.A. on Saturday.
Nick Rimando ($5,000)
Fresh off having a hand in shutting out Mexico on Wednesday with the US Men's National Team, all signs point to Rimando being back in the starting lineup for Real Salt Lake. Rimando has a clean sheet in his last two MLS outings, and while Vancouver boasts a potent attack, they will be missing a vital cog to their offense with Pedro Morales missing out due to a red card suspension.
Other Options:Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Steve Clark (Columbus), Clint Irwin (Colorado)
Defenders
Hernan Grana ($3,500)
A constant threat on the wing, Columbus relies on Grana to cross balls into the box to their big target Kei Kamara. With DraftKings awarding one point per cross, Grana tops the list of defenders who fit the bill as an attack-minded fullback. His cheap price tag ensures he will be a popular play.
Michel ($4,600)
Listed as a defender on DraftKings, Michel actually plays a central midfield role for FC Dallas. Additionally, he is their set-piece specialist. He takes the majority of corner kicks, free kicks and has been known to take penalties from time to time as well. Just be sure to watch for the starting lineup before locking Michel in, as he tends to float in and out of the lineup.
Jalil Anibaba ($3,700) or Marcel de Jong ($3,100)
While a road game in L.A. is not ideal, both Sporting KC fullbacks like to attack. De Jong is active on the wing and Anibaba has been known to unleash a wicked shot when he sees an opening. A clean sheet might be a stretch, but both defenders contribute enough in other statistical categories to make them worthy of consideration.
Drew Moor ($2,400)
In his first game of 2015, Moor picked up where he left off in leading the Rapids to a shutout on the road at Dallas. A goal-scoring threat on corner kicks and set pieces, the center back is a good value play at just $2,400.
Midfielders
*Injury Note - Javier Morales ($8,700) was originally my top play at midfielder, however news broke late yesterday that he is now considered questionable with a groin injury. If Morales is held out, Luis Gil ($5,100) would play a bigger role for Real Salt Lake.
Kaka ($9,000)
The 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year is doing just fine in making the transition to MLS. With two goals and an assist in his last three games, Kaka will be a handful for Columbus. The steep price tag is worth the return, as Kaka is over nearly every set piece, including penalties, for Orlando City.
Stefan Ishizaki ($6,900)
The Galaxy midfielder is coming off a whopping 14-cross performance last game. With Robbie Keane day-to-day with a groin strain, and Gyasi Zardes questionable to play after logging 90-minutes with the United States on Wednesday, Ishizaki could be leaned on to whip balls into the box for target man Alan Gordon once again.
Dillon Powers ($6,400)
Powers is coming off his best game of the 2015 campaign, adding a goal and an assist on the way to a 21-point fantasy performance last weekend. Colorado looks to be turning the corner in the attack, and Powers has solidified a role playing underneath the lone striker. He should see ample opportunity to test Stefan Frei and the Sounders, who gave up 16 shots to the Galaxy in their last outing.
Lamar Neagle ($4,900)
Though he's listed as a midfielder on DraftKings, Neagle lined up as a forward next to Obafemi Martins last game in place of the injured Clint Dempsey. Neagle managed six shots, five of them on target, and was very unlucky not to have scored. While Dempsey did travel to Colorado, his status is still uncertain. With cold temperatures expected in Denver, I wouldn't be surprised to see Dempsey held out again. Be sure to check the starting lineups about an hour prior to kickoff. If Neagle is put in the forward role again, he makes a solid value play at just $4,900.
Forwards
Kei Kamara ($8,400) and/or Federico Higuain ($7,000)
Kamara is back to his goal-scoring ways and leads the league in shots, and while Higuain is off to a slow start in 2015, he's always a threat for a big game. In addition to lumping balls in for the big target Kamara to latch onto, Higuain takes the majority of set pieces for Columbus. With the Crew looking to take the full three points at home versus expansion side Orlando City SC, I expect both Kamara and Higuain to be heavily involved.
Sebastian Giovinco ($7,800)
The diminutive Italian has been a phenomenal addition for Toronto FC. He has posted double-digit fantasy points in his last four outings while leading the TFC attack. Giovinco will look to impress once more against a Dallas side that was just dismantled at home by Colorado last weekend.
Alvaro Saborio ($6,900)
Sabo has historically scored at a high clip, tallying 61 goals in 115 matches for RSL. With just one goal in 2015, it's safe to say he is struggling to find his goal-scoring form in the new Real Salt Lake attack. I expect him to turn that around soon, and once he gets going, the goals come in bunches. That breakout game could come as early as Saturday evening against Vancouver.
Alan Gordon ($5,300)
This play hinges on the health of star striker Robbie Keane (groin). If Keane is forced out again, Gordon should resume his role as the lone target forward for the Galaxy. The big 6-foot-3 fan favorite will have his opportunities and will look to capitalize again as he did last week with the game-winning goal against Seattle.
