This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
Welcome to another week of our Major League Soccer coverage 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
There are a number of GPPs available, and based on last week's activity, there could be a decent amount overlay.
$3K Upper 90 ($1,000 first prize) - Entry Fee: $100
$3K Equializer ($500 first prize) - Entry Fee: $27
$1.5K Striker ($120 first prize) - Entry Fee: $3
and many more…
The following games are included:
Toronto FC at Philadelphia Union
Columbus Crew at D.C. United
New York Red Bulls at New England Revolution
Colorado Rapids at Los Angeles Galaxy
Vancouver Whitecaps at Portland Timbers
Goalkeepers
Bill Hamid ($4,400)
This might be the toughest goalkeeper slate you see all season. Most of the weak offenses aren't in action Saturday, with the exception of Philadelphia playing a porous Toronto FC defense. Accordingly, we next look to value and talent. Hamid has both in spades and should return from injury this weekend to continue defending his 2014 Keeper of the Year campaign. He is cheaper than seven of the nine other starters to pick from at his position, which is pure insanity no matter what offense he's playing against. He will have to hold off the relentless Crew offense, but has one of the league's stingiest back lines to help. While the +5pt bonus for a win is far from guaranteed, keep in mind that D.C. United has shut out the Galaxy this season, and secured an impressive road victory in Vancouver last week. Hamid will also be motivated to put on a show after just signing a large contract extension to stay with his hometown team. This selection isn't for the faint of heart, but Hamid is the most talented keeper in the league and could handily outperform the others while providing you with extra salary to spend on your field players.
Jaime Penedo ($5,700)
Penedo is easily the most expensive option on the board this week, but he could be worth it. The Rapids played to a scrappy draw on Wednesday and will travel to the opposite coast to try and continue a run of good form against Penedo and the Galaxy. The Galaxy defense has been particularly meticulous over the previous two matches, allowing just five shots on target. Considering that manager Pablo Mastroeni already borrowed the 'boring soccer' pages of Jose Mourinho's coaching manual Wednesday, it's tough to imagine a further fatigued group opening up days later in another road match. If you have a surplus of salary, you won't find a safer option than Penedo this week. All in all, though, the extra dollars can likely be put to better use elsewhere in your lineups.
David Ousted ($4,000)
Ousted comes in as the cheapest goalkeeping option this week, despite posting four clean sheets and five wins in nine matches. The Whitecaps can beat any opponent on any night, and have an above average MLS defense. Playing in Portland is a bit of a daunting task, but the Timbers have not looked as threatening as most teams in the league. Top striker Fanendo Adi began last week's rivalry clash with Seattle on the bench, and while Maxi Urruti played well, nobody on the Timbers looks like they want to grab the reins of the offense. If this match were in Vancouver, Ousted would be my top keeper of the week. Considering that, and his $1,700 discount from Penedo, a road match in Portland still leaves us with a very tempting option.
Other Options:Steve Clark ($4,500), Joe Bendik ($4,700).
Defenders
Waylon Francis ($4,000)
It would be very easy to put Hernan Grana ($4,100) here for a second straight week, but Francis is shining equally bright as an attacking MLS fullback. He has increased his DraftKings point production in each of his four games this season, capping the latest off with an assist and four crosses. Columbus are playing as well as any team in Major League Soccer, thanks to smart possession and a preference for quick and incisive attacking. Both Columbus and DC United boast a good pair of fullbacks, but the Crew are built to pin their opponent's tandem back into the defending third more capably, allowing Francis to join in the fun further up the pitch. In a week where clean sheets feel tough to predict, relying on attacking fullbacks like Francis is both a safe and wise strategy.
Chris Tierney ($4,700)
Tierney's magical left foot took a back seat to his forgotten right foot this past weekend, when the defender curled a tremendous shot into the net. The defender's return from injury could not have gone much better as he logged two shots on goal, four crosses and a clean sheet. While Tierney has been excellent individually, the Revolution are steadily improving too. This week, they square off against a red hot New York Red Bulls team at the perfect time. Closing out a stretch of three matches in seven days, Red Bulls manager Jesse Marsch has publicly considered resting several starters. Lloyd Sam could be a prime candidate as he nurses a hamstring strain, and his absence would be a huge boost to New England's defensive outlook. Typically, it wouldn't be wise to target a defender playing this team, but the talented Tierney is often going to be an exception, and New York's frequent fixtures make this selection more palatable.
Alvas Powell ($4,000)
Powell seems to make more and more dangerous runs every time the Timbers take the field. At just 20 years old, he is still getting a feel for balancing his defensive responsibilities with his desire to join the attack. This hasn't exactly translated to DraftKings points, with Powell not reaching double digits in a single game yet this season, but truthfully, MLS defenders are one of the shallowest positions across any sport on DraftKings. Nonetheless, Powell earns a healthy number of crosses and eventually one of these is bound to find Fanendo Adi's head and subsequently the back of the net. The Timbers are playing at home which should put the onus on them to pressure for a goal in this Cascadia Cup fixture, and Powell has the speed to make deep attacking runs without sacrificing defensively. While Vancouver is unlikely to stay off the scoreboard, Powell's offensive upside gives us enough to strongly consider placing him in both cash and tournament lineups this weekend.
Other Options:Dan Gargan ($4,300), Kemar Lawrence ($3,400), Kendall Waston ($3,700).
Midfielders
Stefen Ishizaki ($7,200)
Sweden gave the world ABBA's Dancing Queen, and now the Nordic country gives daily fantasy players the Crossing King. When Los Angeles have a good day in possession, Ishizaki can earn his keep on your DraftKings team with crosses alone. Several weeks ago, he racked up a massive 14 against Seattle. Though the two games since have not been nearly as fruitful, the Galaxy have potential to dominate possession this weekend versus the Rapids. If that is the case, Ishizaki could flirt with double digit cross once more. The wide midfielder can contribute assists and drawn fouls aplenty, too, but his lack of shots has been frustrating after he looked so dangerous cutting inside during the season opener. This recommendation is doubly emphatic if Robbie Keane returns from a groin strain, as the Irish star makes everyone around him better. If not, some combination of Gyasi Zardes, Bradford Jamieson IV and Alan Gordon's big noggin will suffice as targets for Ishizaki's midfield maneuverings.
Lee Nguyen ($7,600)
The Revolution midfielder was mentioned here last week and did not disappoint, earning his fourth double-digit performance in the past five matches. Nguyen launched six shots against Real Salt Lake and looks more and more like last year's MVP candidate with each game back from a preseason injury. This week proves a tougher test against the New York Red Bulls, who travel to Foxboro after a midweek match against Colorado. Nguyen should be up to the task, however, as teammates Juan Agudelo, Charlie Davies, Teal Bunbury, Kelyn Rowe and Chris Tierney all have found good form early in the season. The big story lines going into this match will be the repeat matchup of last year's conference finalists, or Agudelo facing his former team. The real treat to watch, however, will be Dax McCarty vs. Nguyen. The pesky Red Bulls captain should pose a challenge, but trust Nguyen to find enough opportunities to reward your faith in him once again.
Eric Ayuk ($4,600)
Forward options are far more plentiful and promising than midfield ones this Saturday, and if you want the best options you'll need to save somewhere. I present Ayuk. It appears as though the young talent will get a spot in the starting lineup with Sebastian Le Toux and Andrew Wenger having really disappointing starts to the season. Ayuk's game is impossible to mistake as refined, but he makes this midfield look lively when he enters matches. With Christian Maidana and Fernando Aristeguieta looking like they will both strap on the boots for this one, Philadelphia's offense could be a pleasant surprise. Ayuk's last three appearances have seen him average double-digit points on DraftKings despite averaging fewer than 60 minutes played in those matches. Even if you don't think you need salary relief this week, it is worth considering Ayuk and upgrading elsewhere.
Darlington Nagbe ($6,300)
The Cascadia Cup match between Portland and Vancouver provides many interesting fantasy plays. Pedro Morales is the obvious choice, and DraftKings' most expensive midfielder. He's a fine option, as is elder teammate Mauro Rosales. But the Portland midfield is where things get interesting. Nagbe, for all of the grief he gets in fantasy circles, tends to show up in a big way in these matchups. Vancouver will be without Matias Laba, one of the more important defensive midfielders in all of North America. If Laba has struggled to stop Nagbe in recent memory, good luck to the guys trying to fill his shoes. Additionally, Portland should get at least a handful of minutes out of Diego Valeri, one of the brightest stars in Major League Soccer. Valeri at 20 percent healthy would be a useful addition to any team, and it's difficult to imagine a scenario where he eases back into the league quietly. With all of these factors, and an undeniable skill set, Nagbe is poised for a big game against a tough opponent.
Other Options:Dillon Powers ($6,400), Christian Maidana ($6,000), Felipe Martins ($4,900).
Forwards
Sebastian Giovinco ($9,000)
Let's cut to the chase: Giovinco has yet to earn fewer than 11 DraftKings points in any of his six MLS matches. Unlike most forwards worth targeting, Giovinco is essentially a lock to grab points in every possible scoring category that he is eligible for. He darts all over the field, and manager Greg Vanney doesn't dare try to lock him into any particular position. Philadelphia has been an awful defensive team this season, and show no signs of turning that around quickly, so stacking TFC players could be wise. Michael Bradley, Robbie Findley, Jackson and Jonathan Osorio are all fine options provided they are in the starting 11. Ultimately, many fantasy players will see Jozy Altidore's two goals last week and gravitate to him as their main Toronto play. While that isn't the worst decision, I couldn't feel more strongly that paying the extra cash for Giovinco is the smart move more often than not.
Octavio Rivero ($9,500)
I'm writing up Rivero over other equally-wise options in Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kei Kamara. Anybody paying the slightest attention to MLS this season knows these three names, and cashing your lineups this weekend will likely rely on picking the proper hot hand (or foot). I prefer Rivero this week due to his strong performance against D.C. United last week, in which he took six shots, drew four fouls and assisted on Vancouver's goal. While Portland poses a stiff challenge defensively, Rivero's young enthusiasm has rendered him matchup proof so far in his MLS career. Kamara shares his high work rate, penchant for shooting, and talented supporting cast, but plays a stronger defense and keeper. Wright-Phillips is a better finisher and on the hottest team in the league, but they are playing on a short week, and he may not go the full 90 minutes as a result. Rivero simply feels the surest bet, and benefits from Vancouver's direct attacking approach. The icing on the cake is that he comes in as the cheapest choice of the three premier forward options.
Fabian Espindola ($6,400)
Espindola looked like a raging bull finally released from his cage after returning last week from an eight-game suspension. The Argentine brings a wrinkle to the otherwise boring D.C. United offense, and can shoulder both the creative burden and onus to produce goals himself. He is a consistent fantasy contributor, earning 29 goals and 17 assists over his prior three seasons in Major League Soccer. He should quickly improve on his five points from last week and it's all but a guarantee his price will end the season much higher than this current discount. Columbus play well defensively, but DC are a smart team and could catch the Crew's high pressing fullbacks off guard. Espindola makes for a great third forward in the flex position, if you want to get on board before the rest of the DraftKings crowd takes notice.
Gyasi Zardes ($7,400)
It takes a leap of faith to select Zardes this week, as he hasn't put a shot on target in over a month. Alan Gordon, Bradford Jamieson IV and Jose Villareal all are producing at a higher clip, and come at cheaper prices. But Zardes is the National Team talent. He is the 2014 breakout player who looked at home with Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane last year. Zardes needs to elevate his game, and this week against the Rapids presents a huge opportunity to do just that. The Rapids' best defender, Drew Moor, was a surprise omission from the lineup on Wednesday after swelling in his previously injured knee. Bobby Burling is a better bet for a red card than a clean sheet, and rookie Axel Sjoberg is promising but could have his hands full here. The Rapids aren't deep along the back line, and spent 90 minutes fending off a hungry Red Bulls squad just three days prior to this game. Zardes' speed should come in handy here as the young star finally steps up.
Other Options:Fernando Aristeguieta ($6,000), Federico Higuain ($7,300), Charlie Davies ($7,100).
Sunday Bonus Buys
Sunday only features two matches on a short slate, but that is no excuse to take a rest from MLS action! Here is one player from each team that could help you differentiate yourself from the crowd.
Dom Dwyer
The Chicago Fire are a vastly improved team from the beginning of the season, and will bring waves of attacking threats to Kansas City. Dwyer should thrive on the counter, as the target man in this offense. Benny Feilhaber will be the name on everybody's lips, but he might be concentrating extra on defensive duties this weekend.
David Accam
Accam was as impressive as it gets on the wing last week against NYC FC, putting four shots on goal and crossing the ball five times. His extra effort earned him his first MLS goal in what should be many this season. He would be in consideration as a forward, but luckily DraftKings classifies him as a midfielder. Last week's 26 points will be tough to match, but double-digits are more likely than not against a Kansas City team that allowed four goals just last week.
Patrick Mullins
Assuming that David Villa sits one more match with hip/hamstring ailments, Mullins could get another start at home. He is a shifty forward that seems to always find room to shoot, and looks better with every MLS match he plays. Seattle is a stiff opponent, but NYC FC controlled their last home game against Portland. You won't want a piece of NYC FC's defense this weekend, and Mix Diskerud could be well over-owned. Mullins provides some good cheap exposure to a sneaky offense this weekend.
Pappa will be a great complement to your choice of Clint Dempsey or Obafemi Martins this weekend. The midfielder provides a steady stream of crosses and his willingness to shoot from distance is tailor-made for the undersized Yankee Stadium field. Count on him for a handful of accurately placed balls into the box that Seattle's skilled forwards could bury by the bundle.
