This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
This week's MLS Sunday slate features three matches. All three are essentially pick 'ems, with the home teams slightly favored. The New England Revolution are the biggest favorite with a line at just -115, which is the main indicator that this slate should be very even. Orlando City (+105) is the next biggest followed by Minnesota United (+155). The Premier League season finale contests should be finished on DraftKings well before lineup lock at 2:30 p.m. EDT, giving plenty of time to extend our soccer action Sunday.
2:30 p.m. EDT
The Revolution head into Sunday after a 4-0 win over Real Salt Lake. The Revs are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, though they lie firmly in the middle of the league in goals scored and goals allowed. Juan Agudelo missed the last game, and though it was against a very poor Real Salt Lake side, New England produced their most complete game this season. Columbus is coming off a thriller of a game, in which they held a 2-0 lead, lost it, then regained it to beat the Montreal Impact 3-2 at Stade Saputo. Justin Meram scored a hat-trick in that game as the Impact's counterattacking approach played right into his hands. The Crew are in fourth place, though their performances this season have been inconsistent. These two teams are very similar in caliber, and each of them love to score but struggle to defend.
Favorite Plays
Diego Fagundez, NE v. CLB ($5,900): Fagundez was moved further up the field last game against Real Salt Lake as a result of Juan Agudelo's absence, and he produced a gem of a performance. Once one of the most highly touted youngsters in the league, Fagundez may be at the start of a great run in form, which he has been known to do in his streaky MLS career. Agudelo remains unlikely to feature Sunday, thus Fagundez should have a sure role as a primary attacking player. At his low price and home-field advantage, Fagundez seems to be the player with the highest value.
Lee Nguyen, NE v. CLB ($8,500): Nguyen has to be the next player on the list. He has five goals and three assists in 11 games this season and is clearly the center of the Revs' attack. Chris Tierney should feature and take most corners, which will cut into Nguyen's cross count, but the Crew defense is still working itself out. Nguyen will have plenty of opportunities to warrant his price on a three-game slate.
Kei Kamara, NE v. CLB ($7,300): Kamara's revenge game comes at the right time as he is just coming off a game with a goal and an assist. He should be hungry for a goal in this one, and with no Agudelo up front, Kamara, who has three goals and two assists this season (all at home), will be the central target man.
Other Notables
Justin Meram ($8,200) is the next man up after his stellar performance last weekend. The Revs don't quite play the same style as Montreal Impact's counter attack pace, but there still are gaps in their defense. The main reason he isn't listed above is because Andrew Farrell, who is a beast of a defender, will be marking Meram all game. Chris Tierney ($5,600) has to be considered due to his crossing ability. Ola Kamara ($7,600) and Federico Higuain ($7,400) complete the list.
5:00 p.m. EDT
Minnesota United has turned things around since the arrival of Sam Cronin and Marc Burch. In the last six games with Cronin and Burch in the lineup, the team has given up eight goals. In the first five games before the trade, the team gave up 20. It's safe to say the defense is patched up for now. Now the Galaxy come to town. The last two games have looked vintage LA Galaxy, and they now roll into Minneapolis with a lot of momentum. The loss of Jermaine Jones, however, will prove to be very detrimental in the center of the field if they do not get a fix quick. He's likely out for the foreseeable future, and there is no way Joao Pedro and Baggio Husidic will hold up much longer in his absence. That means attack the center of the field if you're Minnesota.
Favorite Plays
Abu Danladi, MIN v. LAG ($4,400): Danladi is the value play here. This year's No. 1 overall pick has a goal and an assist in his first two starts of his career, and there is surely more to come. The only thing that has kept this kid back is injuries, but he's fit now and showing what he can do. He is used to scoring goals, but he is playing at a right wing position, which adds potential to earn assists. However, it is not really his true position. Look for Danladi to cut inside and expose the "Jones-less" midfield of the Galaxy.
Roman Alessandrini, LAG at MIN ($10,800): Alessandrini has started his MLS career in stellar fashion, with six goals and four assists in his first 10 games, including a brace in his last start. You're going to have to pay top dollar for his production, and it is on the road against an improved Minnesota side, but the Galaxy may have something going here. Don't be caught off guard if Alessandrini comes out firing like most games this season. You need about 20 fantasy points to hit value.
Other Notables
The only other guys I like are Kevin Molino ($7,100) and Giovani Dos Santos ($7,300). Molino bagged a brace last week and is one of the key figures in Minnesota's attack. He is the center attacking midfielder, so he will enjoy extra room in the middle of the field with Jones out. Dos Santos has scored in two straight games after a poor start to the season.
7:00 p.m. EDT
Orlando City has yet to be beaten at home this season, but the record will be under threat Sunday as the road warriors New York City FC come to town. The home-field advantage should have some influence in this match due to Orlando's dominance there, but New York City FC had the most road wins in MLS last season, and this year they are tied for the second-most. Orlando is coming off two straight draws and will be looking to make it six wins out of seven at home.
Favorite Plays
Cyle Larin, ORL v. NYC ($8,500): When in doubt, pick the home guy. Plus, it doesn't hurt when you have a stat like this: nine goals in seven career games against NYC FC. Kaka is back and Carlos RIvas will be there to help supply Larin, so there's no reason for him not to score.
Jack Harrison, NYC at ORL ($5,800): Harrison has been nothing short of spectacular this year. He finds himself in a difficult matchup on the road in Orlando against a fierce competitor in Donny Toia, but he has proven that he's up for the challenge. The No. 1 pick last year is not suffering from a sophomore slump like many draftees, and instead he is taking his game to the next level.
Other Notables
I like both Kaka ($8,700) and Carlos RIvas ($6,800) from Orlando's attack, with Scott Sutter ($5,700) from the defense. Kaka is gaining quick form since his injury. However, the Brazilian can disappoint from week to week. Rivas has looked even better since Kaka's return, as some of the attention has been diverted away from him. Sutter has looked wonderful this season as a right back. However, I like Tierney much more due to his corner-kick duties.
One always has to consider David Villa ($9,600), but at his hefty price tag, it seems like there are better options.
Keeper of the Day
Joe Bendik, ORL v. NYC ($5,100): Bendik has had an incredible year in net. Orlando's home unbeaten record will be hard to break, and in a slate with no clear favorite, Bendik seems the obvious pick. He has a way of racking up saves and still earning a clean sheet, which not many keepers can do consistently in fantasy soccer. Also, NYCFC played in the midweek, and some of their players will be forced to work a double shift. However, Villa and Harrison were both rested Wednesday.
Wildcard Defenders
Sometimes you have to throw darts at defenders in order to fit all the attackers you want. Here are some options to consider: Jukka Raitala ($4,000), Marc Burch ($3,700), Jerome Thiesson ($3,800), Ashley Cole ($3,700), Dave Romney ($3,900) and Donny Toia (3,700).