DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: MLS Saturday Value Plays

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

Goalkeepers
Josh Saunders ($3,900)
With very clear, and very expensive top options among field players, this is a week where finding value at the goalkeeper position is especially important. NYC FC's MVP to this point in the season, Saunders comes in at a very affordable $3,900. Before this slate, DraftKings was automatically increasing the price of every keeper playing the weak Union offense. However, after three wins in four matches, Philly is beginning to scare people away from picking on them so much. I'm not frightened. The Union still only have only seven goals in the past six matches, Wednesday's 3-0 anomaly against a half strength Columbus team included. Saunders has proven capable of withstanding a barrage of shots when called upon and can rack up the save points as well as anyone on DraftKings. Admittedly, Saunders hasn't kept a clean sheet since late March, but identifying when results will diverge from the recent past is what gives us an edge over our DraftKings opponents! It appears as though New York's veteran defender Chris Wingert will miss the match, but New York will have fresher legs than Philadelphia, so those factors can be considered a wash and Saunders remains an option to keep your eye on goal today.

Tally Hall ($3,600)
Nothing spells "fantasy expert" like recommending two straight expansion team keepers on the road. but I'm going to anyway! Much like Saunders, Hall is facing a team that played midweek. The offense in Chicago is better than the Union's, but Orlando has a significantly better defense. Prior to his severe injury, Hall was among the best keepers in the league for Houston, and he looks to be returning to form. He has averaged seven points per game since returning, which isn't overwhelming but a good floor for the price. Chicago is clicking of late and shouldn't be shy to shoot at home, but I think Orlando can keep them from getting too many truly dangerous chances, particularly since Chicago is missing Shaun Maloney. Ultimately, I think the best keepers this week are too expensive and poor values, but if you have the spare change I'd suggest them over Hall. That said, it's a rare weekend when you can find an All-Star talent goalkeeper for just $3,600 and I'm inclined to roll the dice with Hall.

Chris Konopka ($3,400)
Konopka has played a large part in TFC's defensive turnaround. They've allowed just four goals in their past five matches after being sieve-like in the opening portion of the season with Joe Bendik in net. Michael Bradley would really help this week, but he is busy tormenting the Dutch and German national teams. Benoit Cheyrou will pick up the slack in the center of the pitch, while the defenders should continue to show improved anticipation and positioning. TFC's opponent, D.C. United, requires reassessment each time they put out a new lineup and is difficult to predict prior to the lineup release. What we do know, is that they have played more games in the past few weeks than anyone and are once again on short rest. Fabian Espindola could terrorize this TFC defense, but if he isn't at 100 percent after a multi-week injury and midweek minutes, then D.C. has few other truly dangerous options in attack. Konopka also has shot to get a solid chunk of saves, and a win bonus (because who is going to stop Sebastian Giovinco right now?), even if he doesn't keep the clean sheet. He's one of the cheapest keepers on the slate, but you would have been satisfied has you played him in four of his last five matches.

Other Keepers to Consider:Stefen Frei ($4,700), Brian Sylvestre ($4,700), Brian Rowe ($3,500)

Defenders
Chris Tierney ($5,200)
Tierney is getting the first mention among my defenders this weekend, not because I love his price at $5,200, but because he is the elite DraftKings defender in MLS competitions. After a soaring start, and resulting in near 100 percent ownership in some slates, Tierney looks to be dropping off everyone's radar. All the better for those of us who can squeeze him into a lineup. Tierney's set-piece potential and left-footed service sets him apart in offensive potential from virtually every defender save Jeff Larentowicz on penalty duty for Chicago. A match in Portland won't be a cakewalk for Tierney and the Revolution, but we're getting a $1,000 discount from his salary last week and his upside relative to ownership percent makes him a great consideration for this weekend's matches.

Kendall Waston ($4,400)
I'd argue that nobody in the league looks hungrier for a goal lately than Waston. The Whitecaps' centerback seemingly lives to get himself on the end of set pieces these days, and is anxious to get on the score sheet after providing a surprising amount of offense late last season. He has been extremely close over the past few games, and has 10 shots in the past four matches, a surprising amount for a central defender. Plenty of those are headed attempts and I wouldn't be surprised if the Whitecaps are actually targeting him every time they lob the ball into the mixer. The Galaxy could field another weak attack, pending Robbie Keane's status, and I don't mind the Whitecaps' chances defensively even on the road. This is definitely a pick for upside more than a safe floor, but the last time I went this route, readers got a Laurent Ciman goal.

Sheanon Williams ($4,100)
Williams is perhaps the largest beneficiary of Philadelphia's good run of form. With more meaningful possession, Williams is getting up the pitch from his fullback spot and making smart runs and useful crosses. He is averaging over 10 points per game in the last four matches, a great total for your defender spot. His assist on Wednesday is reflective of his potential offensively, and while they are not brilliant, Philadelphia's fullbacks need to stay involved in the attack to give the team an important extra dimension. NYC FC, despite having David Villa, have one of the least-feared attacks in the league and the Union could continue their run of good form in front of a home crowd who might actually show up for what they hope to become a rivalry match. If you're looking to buy into the Union, Williams is one of the safest bets to continue playing at a high level.

Other Defenders to Consider:Chris Klute ($3,900), Alvas Powell ($4,000), Ashtone Morgan ($3,300)

Midfielders
Lamar Neagle ($5,900)
Neagle is probably the default forward for Seattle's road match in Kansas City this week with Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins (nose) and Chad Barrett (hamstring) all unlikely to play. While he has the ability to miss a half-dozen beautiful chances in a match, Neagle also deserves credit for getting himself into those positions. Marco Pappa is playing at another level now (he also deserves consideration for your team) which means Neagle shouldn't lack for opportunity despite a weak Sounders starting lineup. Kansas City is just as short-handed, so what happens in this match is anybody's guess, but SKC is a team who likes to put in a good offensive shift for their home crowd. Neagle has not been earning as many first-team minutes as he enjoyed last season, so I also am a fan of the motivation factor that comes with this pick. Barring one big match, there are few numbers to support a decision to include Neagle in your team, but paying less than $6,000 for a midfielder playing at forward is just the kind of opportunity I look for in daily fantasy games.

Graham Zusi ($6,700)
We only need to look across the field from Neagle to find another under-valued offensive option with increased opportunity. Zusi may have finally found his footing last week with a goal and two assists against FC Dallas. There are times in his career when he has been a must-own fantasy player, and it's not difficult to imagine him entering another stretch like that soon. SKC might be without Dom Dwyer (neck) and are definitely without Krisztian Nemeth, who is on national team duty, forcing Zusi to shoulder more of the attacking responsibility. This gives him a great floor, and you only need to look back a week to see his upside. Benny Feilhaber should be eager to prove Jurgen Klinsmann wrong once more, and if he's going to connect with somebody for a goal, Zusi is as good a bet as anyone.

Christian Techera ($5,000)
Fondly dubbed "The Bug", Techera is certainly buzzing when he gets on the pitch for Vancouver. He has been quite impressive since coming to Major League Soccer this season and has double-digit DraftKings points in both matches he has played at least 70 minutes. On this week's RotoWire soccer podcast, I called him Giovinco-lite due to his size, speed and work rate, and while I doubt he ever reaches the Italian's level of production, you only need to pay half the price. If Techera plays significant time, multiple shots, fouls drawn and crosses are almost a guarantee. Because Vancouver played midweek and Techera did not start, I expect him to get the nod in Los Angeles, but if he does not, you should be able to pivot to Ignacio Maganto ($5,000) for the same price or Will Johnson ($3,000) playing half an hour later.

Other Midfielders to Consider:Christian Maidana ($7,400), Will Johnson ($3,000), Harry Shipp ($8,500)

Forwards
Sebastian Giovinco ($10,700)
In case you've been sleeping for the past two months, or are worried about TFC missing Michael Bradley in addition to Jozy Altidore (hamstring), I am here to remind you that fading Giovinco is similar to chucking your wallet over Niagara Falls (or paying $8,300 for Will Bruin, but I digress...). Giovinco is averaging more than five shots per match over the last five games, and routinely earns more than 10 points even when he does not score a goal. The more he has to carry Toronto FC's attack, the more he thrives. D.C. United is a tough team to play at home, but Giovinco is a runaway train and D.C. United is, at best, a sturdy brick wall. Do you really need me to tell you which one will come out on top?

David Accam ($7,100) or Kennedy Igboananike ($6,100)
While I touted Tally Hall as a sneaky play in goal, I also like Chicago's blooming offense. Accam appears to have missed out on a Ghanaian National team call up and should continue to torment players on the wing. Igboananike exploded in his last start with 26 DraftKings points and then only played 20 minutes midweek, suggesting he will be set loose on Orlando's defense this weekend. Both of these guys have shown a lot of hustle early in their MLS careers, and Chicago is an attack on the rise even without Shaun Maloney for another couple of matches. I prefer paying up for Accam, who has more than 14 points in each of the past four games, but Igboananike will see far less ownership and plays more centrally in the attack, giving him at least equal upside. In terms of value, you won't find much better than these two Chicago forwards who also provide a pretty safe floor. Just be sure to confirm that Igboananike is starting.

Octavio Rivero ($9,300)
Rivero featured in this same column last week, and I am sticking with him. He and Pedro Morales were kept fresh in the midweek match, as manager Carl Robinson eyes a Western Conference clash with last year's MLS Cup champions. While he has been held off the scoresheet in three straight starts, Rivero continues to unleash shots toward goal and Vancouver will want to prove themselves against a formidable Galaxy defense. Omar Gonzalez is a huge challenge to play against, particularly for a young defender, but Rivero's speed will allow him to unlock a couple of opportunities at a minimum. Although there aren't an overwhelming amount of pricey forwards this week, a majority of DraftKings players will be ignoring Rivero. That's justifiable given the road match, tough opponent and midweek fixture for Vancouver, but I think it presents a good opportunity for a differential with a fairly match-up proof MLS star.

Other Forwards to Consider:Kei Kamara ($11,100), Maxi Urruti ($6,300), C.J. Sapong ($5,000)