This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
*Note: the large DraftKings tournaments do not include the 2pm EDT Toronto FC v. Chicago Fire match, and instead kickoff at 5pm EDT.
Lineup No. 1: A Nightcap with the Whitecaps
In what could be a turbulent day for fantasy MLS lineups, with games spread all throughout the day, I am most looking forward to the late game in Vancouver. The Whitecaps stand solidly as one of the premier MLS sides, while NYC FC remain the punch line of many jokes. New York's fledgling squad has not had to make many long road trips this season, but have been outscored 9-2 in their previous three significant flights. Even though MLS is sure to give us a few curve balls each week, it would be quite a shock if Vancouver do not dominate this match, and we'll be grabbing three players from this game.
First, Octavio Rivero is our first-choice forward selection. $9,000 stands to be a real value for the often overlooked, but promising young striker. Cristian Techera has typically been our cheap avenue into the Whitecap attack, but he is now above $7,000, which makes Rivero a more enticing option. The Uruguayan is tall, quick and playing more confidently of late. I see signs of the early season form that made Rivero a must-play, and his eight shots in the past two matches could be his floor in this one.
Next, I'm doubling down on a Vancouver clean sheet with one of the more expensive goalkeeping options in David Ousted, and speedy fullback Jordan Smith. Ousted remains one of the league's brightest keepers, and Smith continues to get acclimated to the league while showing plenty of potential to join a potent attack on the flank. NYC FC often look tired and incompetent in front of their home crowd, let alone jet-lagged and past Andrea Pirlo's bedtime for a match in Vancouver. Worst-case scenario, NYC FC show some fight in this one and make for an entertaining match, but Ousted still grabs a victory bonus.
Let's look to another of the week's more intriguing matches, where the Timbers travel to Columbus. I continue to have some faith in Portland's defensive form turning around, but this is not the game to bank on it. These two teams play some of the most open and attacking soccer in the league, and I predict a high goal total in this match. Ethan Finlay ($8,000) has cooled off after a tremendous mid-season stretch, but we know the talent is still there and won't overreact to only the most recent results. I like him a lot in this one, as Portland goes all in on stopping Kei Kamara's tour de force. I also like Harrison Afful ($4,800), who is equally quick and enjoys the offensive side of the game just as much. Apart from better clean sheet numbers, you really can't ask for much more in a fantasy fullback than Afful. One final play in this match is Portland Timbers forward Lucas Melano ($7,000). The Crew do not often keep an opponent off the score sheet, and Melano looks increasingly dangerous as he gets more and more time with his new team. Portland also are desperate to earn some points and solidify their tenuous grip on the sixth and final playoff position in the Western Conference.
Our final forward spot goes to Cubo Torres, who remains an extreme value at $5,000. Torres should get the start after coming on as a substitute in Houston's midweek match. While he hasn't been as quick to light up the scoreboard as we had all hoped, I remain confident that he will turn things around. There's too much talent and too much opportunity in Houston for him to stay quiet. When he does break out, he'll be one of the few true bargains at the forward position on DraftKings. Finally, we round out our lineup with Diego Fagundez ($7,000). The Philadelphia Union are set to rest many players in anticipation of Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup final, and New England should have their way with them at home. That bodes well for New England's young star midfielder, who has grabbed four goals in his last five matches. Don't overthink this one, and be sure to grab at least one Revolution player this weekend.
Devil's Advocate: Torres has failed us many times before, while we ignore the the top choice forwards on this slate. We may not have enough stock in New England, and also failed to buy into a promising Montreal Impact offense. Buying into the Whitecaps is great, but relying on our picks featuring in the late game can always lead to disappointing team sheet surprises.
Why We'll Win: Rather than force Villa, Kamara, Espindola, or Drogba into our lineups, we've built a really well-rounded attacking group and a high-ceiling defensive trio. Our players' matchups are all favorable but also may be overlooked by opponents' who are only watching recent box scores and not the matches themselves. The only downside to this lineup is that us East Coast folks will have to stay up late to watch our lineups shoot to the top.
Lineup No. 2: Relying on the Revs
If you're not stacking Vancouver players, you better be turning to the Revolution instead. As mentioned previously, Philadelphia have their eyes set on Wednesday night's U.S. Open Cup match and will surely rest some of their top players Saturday. Even at full strength a date with the Revolution would be a tall task for Philadelphia given New England's surging successes of late. In this lineup, I'm going to fill the back line with Revs, using both fullbacks and Bobby Shuttleworth in net. Unfortunately, the three will cost us a combined $15,900, but I anticipate it being well worth it. With a probable clean sheet, and Charlie Davies for the first time in quite a while. On a slate of games when many of the elite options are missing, I have no problem turning to the opportunistic New England forward. Many will want Lee Nguyen or Diego Fagundez, but Davies will be the man closest to the Union goal.
While we can't afford any more elite options given the New England spending spree, we are still able to fit a surprising amount of talent. In the midfield I am looking to Johan Venegas and his ever-affordable price tag of $4,000. Montreal's attack has yet to fully unlock its potential, and while Didier Drogba and Cristian Techera ($7,100) is the gift that keeps on giving, and while I'd prefer Rivero for $9,000, I am not put off by Techera's price increase. Lock in 'The Bug' and enjoy the late night points.
Rounding out our lineup, we'll look to some familiar faces at forward. I can't look past Lucas Melano's affordable price tag (unless you want me to recommend Cubo Torres for the hundreth time!) and am not fearful of his long road trip to Columbus. The Earthquakes are hot on the Timbers' heels in the MLS playoff race, which means that Portland cannot afford to stray from their preferred attacking style. Finally, I like Alvaro Saborio's chances to break a slight scoring slump against a Laurent Ciman-less Impact. The veteran MLS attacker has had some dangerous looks at goal lately, and has finally had some time to gel with star teammate Fabian Espindola. DC United are another motivated team who cannot afford a continuation of their recent poor form.
Devil's Advocate: It's really, really difficult to stomach spending so much salary on defenders and our keeper. Correspondingly, we miss out on Kamara, who few players will be without in their lineups this weekend. Davies, Techera, and Saborio all are second-choice fantasy options on their own teams, behind Nguyen, Rivero/Morales, and Espindola, respectively.
Why We'll Win: It's entirely possible that some of our opponents overlook New England's great matchup and/or are unwilling to go all-in on the pricey defense. On a slate that could feature few clean sheets, we could already have a big advantage. While our budget attack is not big on name value, I think each and every player has a very good chance to reach double-digit points and all of our forwards are capable of multi-goal performances.
