This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
With only one Friday game this week, we've got a seven-game slate for Saturday contests on DraftKings:San Jose Earthquakes at Toronto FC - 5:00 p.m. EDT
Real Salt Lake at Vancouver Whitecaps - 6:00 p.m.
Houston Dynamo at New York City FC - 7:00 p.m.
Philadelphia Union at D.C. United - 7:00 p.m.
Columbus Crew at Orlando City - 7:30 p.m.
Montreal Impact at Chicago Fire - 8:30 p.m.
Portland Timbers at Colorado Rapids - 9:00 p.m.
Goalkeepers
Bill Hamid ($5,300)
Followers of this column will already be looking at Hamid, Major League Soccer's best goalkeeper. He's playing the offensively challenged Philadelphia Union this week who feel lucky to be averaging a goal per game. Philly has strung together two wins against quality opponents, one against this same United team two weeks ago, 1-0. Meanwhile, D.C. United haven't won in three matches. But don't let these trends fool you! United are a better coached, better built team who will challenge for the lead in the Eastern Conference this season, and despite their poor results recently, still only allowed one goal in each of those three games. Steve Birnbaum, who would have won rookie of the year in 2014 if defenders weren't disadvantaged for that award, is back in the mix along with 2014 MLS Defender of the Year runner-up Bobby Boswell. While the team played midweek, they rested many key players and should be welcoming the Union to the nation's capital with the full-force of their roster. Hamid's price has finally caught up to his talent thanks to DraftKings boosting any keeper playing the Union, but he is dollar-for-dollar the best bet for a win and a clean sheet this weekend.
David Ousted ($4,600)
Ousted's opponent this week, Real Salt Lake, have a potent attack on the horizon. Javier Morales and Joao Plata are back and Alvaro Saborio is hitting stride. This pick is banking on them taking at least one more week to iron out the kinks. Having played a game on Wednesday, in which they were also shut out, they shouldn't have as much gusto for an away match in Vancouver, who has kept three clean sheets in their past six and, at their best, are an imposing defensive side with the likes of Kendall Waston and Matias Laba clogging up the middle of the pitch. Even the best offensive players can be snuffed out by the Whitecaps at the top of their game, and after a run of not-so-great results, I think Vancouver get back to their winning ways this weekend. Ousted is the seventh-highest priced keeper of 14 starters this weekend, which makes for a great value play.
Evan Bush ($3,800)
Few people will be looking to the Montreal Impact keeper this weekend, but he has averaged 13 points per game in the past three weeks on DraftKings. Considering he hasn't earned a clean sheet in any of those matches, it is an impressive total. Montreal are a counter-attacking team who come under fire defensively, but Bush has been up to the task making seven, four and six saves, respectively, in those matches. Since each save is worth two points, we are seeing a high floor for Bush even when he does not earn a clean sheet. Bush really impressed in the CONCACAF Champions League earlier this season, a large reason why the Impact got as far as they did. The Chicago Fire attack can be dangerous, but they are unrefined, and a well managed Montreal side has a chance to hold them scoreless. With many people picking the same high-powered offensive options on DraftKings, grabbing the highest scoring keeper has been crucial to success, and Bush might be the roll of the dice that leads owners to tournament success this weekend.
Other Keepers to Consider:Steve Clark ($5,400), Adam Kwarasey ($4,000), Tyler Deric ($4,900).
Defenders
Jordan Stewart ($3,100)
The top tier defenders are getting far too pricey relative to their point potential, so we will be focusing on the value plays this week. Stewart has scored at least seven points in each of his three matches with significant playing time. He isn't hesitant to push the whole way into an opponent's box and could get you a shot or two in addition to lobbing balls into the box for Chris Wondolowski and Adam Jahn. Playing in Toronto against an improving team isn't ideal, however TFC's attack centers around only a banged up Sebastian Giovinco, and if he is somehow stopped, San Jose could find much success. Toronto cedes the wings to their opponent, instead focusing on clogging the central part of the field, and both Marvell Wynne ($5,100) and Stewart should benefit at fullback for the Earthquakes. The most notable difference between the two is that one is $2,100 cheaper, and that makes Stewart a fantastic play this weekend.
Taylor Kemp ($4,000) or Chris Korb ($4,000)
One of these two fullbacks will get the benefit of playing the Philadelphia Union, which we already know means a good clean sheet opportunity. They also contribute a healthy dose of crosses and are incorporated well into D.C. United's balanced attack. The Union are often vulnerable on Sebastian Le Toux's wing, which projects to be the one Kemp or Korb will patrol rather than Sean Franklin's side against a responsible Andrew Wenger. After losing to the Union just two weeks ago, the Eastern Conference contender D.C. United will be keen to exact revenge with both a clean sheet and a couple of goals. This group constantly feels disrespected by the lack of attention they receive around the league compared to flashier sides, and the chip on their shoulder isn't something to overlook for fantasy purposes. Some matches, United simply come out and dominate regardless of the opponent. This could be one of those weeks, and these fullbacks could earn your team points on both ends of the pitch.
Chris Klute ($3,300)
With Hernan Grana out of the picture, Klute may have latched onto the vacated starting fullback spot in Columbus. He's looked quite good of late and is on his way to fulfilling the potential everybody saw the Colorado Rapids largely waste last season. Assuming he gets another start, Klute will have some added defensive responsibility against an Orlando City team that likes their wing-play as well, but he has been active enough up the pitch to still warrant consideration. In his last three halves of action, Klute has sent in nine crosses, more than enough to satisfy his low price tag. Orlando City's offense has been overachieving since losing Kevin Molino, and this could well be a match in which they struggle against what can be an overwhelming Columbus Crew side. The difference in production between Klute and teammate Waylon Francis has not been enough that I'm willing to pay $1,700 more for Francis, but I still want a piece of the Columbus defense in most of my lineups this weekend and Klute looks to be the best bet.
Other Defenders to Consider:Joevin Jones ($4,800), Alvas Powell ($3,800), Jordan Harvey ($3,600).
Midfielders
Pedro Morales ($8,200)
Morales ranking as only the fifth-most expensive midfielder this weekend almost feels too good to be true. A sure consideration when he is the most expensive, Morales could have a field day with a Real Salt Lake team playing their third match in eight days. He's averaged over 14 points per game in his last four starting appearances, and while RSL can be a very capable defense, they also allowed four goals to Montreal in recent memory. Vancouver are surely a better offense than Montreal, and the duo of Morales and Octavio Rivero will undoubtedly end the year as one of Major League Soccer's better offensive connections. Morales has been quiet at times this season, but he truly only needs a couple of moments to get you 20+ points.
Ignacio Piatti ($7,900)
The Chicago Fire simply don't have a player capable of stopping Piatti when he is at his best. The Argentine veteran of Italy's Serie A is deadly on the dribble and fires shots at will. In his last two outings, he has provided owners with a goal, two assists and nine shots, and a missed penalty prevented the output from being even higher. Chicago have potential to give up plenty of dangerous free kick opportunities for Piatti, who will want to make up for that recent mishap. Additionally, Piatti's teammate Jack McInerney is in good form and a chemistry appears to be building between the dynamic playmaker and the young forward. I don't always include all of my true top plays in this article, because some are so obvious you don't need me to write about them, but Morales and Piatti are 1A and 1B options for me this weekend once price is factored in, and having neither of them would simply be insulting to your bankroll.
Will Johnson ($3,000)
Savvy daily fantasy players are going to be angry with me for sharing this sneaky pick. Johnson has returned from a broken leg to take the captain's armband in Portland, and he looks much the player he did before injury. Johnson is a hard working and versatile midfielder who is often trusted with set-piece duty. While he may not go a full 90 after just playing Wednesday, he is a great value play this weekend. Portland honestly need a player like Johnson who can provide great service into the box, or cut inside and dish an accurate through ball to the forwards. If Maxi Urruti and Gaston Fernandez team up once more, this shifty attack could prove too much for Colorado to handle. If Fanendo Adi gets into the game instead, his large stature will be a great target for Johnson. Colorado also played midweek, so fatigue is not quite as much of a concern, and Portland will hope to continue their success and get back into the playoff picture. Should Johnson not play, Rodney Wallace ($5,400) should give you an equal point potential for a higher, but still a bargain, price.
Other Midfielders to Consider:Federico Higuain ($9,100), Shaun Maloney ($7,500), Boniek Garcia ($5,700).
Forwards
Octavio Rivero ($9,100)
Rivero has the speed that can get a Real Salt Lake defense, sans Jamison Olave (suspension) this week, in trouble. Already on tired legs, the RSL defenders surely will be ready for a good rest after dealing with the young Uruguayan all match. Rivero has been fairly quiet lately, but that can be attributed to the ebb and flow of a striker's luck during the season, as his work rate is as good as ever. Vancouver is built to go at the RSL defense from all angles, and Rivero has accordingly found success both receiving balls from out wide and attacking through the middle this season. With as good a chance to score as anyone this weekend, but behind bigger names like Kei Kamara, Giovinco, Wondolowski and David Villa, Rivero makes for a fantastic play in both tournaments and cash games.
David Accam ($6,500)
I mentioned on the RotoWire soccer podcast this week that the only reason not to play Accam is that every body is going to play Accam. The Fire forward ticks all of the boxes when looking for fantasy production: speed, dynamic dribbling, hustle, crossing and finishing ability. He has four double-digit efforts in his five full appearances this season and Montreal shouldn't pose much of a threat to stopping that streak. Teammate Shaun Maloney is getting more and more comfortable pulling the strings for Chicago, and the pairing could terrorize a defensively adventurous Laurent Ciman and Bakary Soumare. The beauty of Accam is that he is both affordable and can produce points for your team even if he does not get on the score sheet. He makes for a great flex spot filler as a third forward this week, but could also admirably fill one of your primary striker slots. As noted, I like Evan Bush as a roll of the dice in net for Montreal, but I like Accam more as a safe play with tons of potential.
David Villa ($9,800)
As the week has gone on, I have warmed up to the idea of relying on Villa this weekend. For a player with this much quality, I do not worry about his confidence playing against MLS opponents despite a five-match scoring drought. What I do consider though, is that a growing frustration could lead to more shots as Villa presses to pull through in front of his home crowd. One of the few benefits of Yankee Stadium's narrow pitch is that the play cannot hide on the wings from Villa. The Spaniard can always be seconds away from finding the ball in a dangerous area and exciting young keeper Tyler Deric has shown he can be caught off guard in the Houston net. The Dynamo haven't kept a clean sheet since early April, and while they are not a weak defensive team, I can see that relatively long streak continuing in New York. If we assume New York will score, there aren't many places to look that don't involve Villa in some way, and with plenty of other options this week, many of your opponents might leave him out of their lineups.
Other Forward to Consider: Kei Kamara ($10,600), Maxi Urruti ($5,100), Chris Rolfe ($8,300).
