This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
Lineup No. 1: Monstrous Midfield
To come to terms with this lineup, we first must take a look at some players we didn't roster. The top few tiers of forwards this week are not as inspiring as usual. I've been a big proponent of sticking with Kei Kamara, but at $9,000 and on the road in Seattle, I'll look for better options. David Villa and Didier Drogba each played a full 90 minutes during midweek matches and last weekend. One is old, the other one is ancient. They are playing at home, but to respectable defensive sides. Villa still intrigues, but I'll pass. Chris Wondolowski and Cyle Larin are decent bets for goals in their road duels, but they don't do all that much else to score points otherwise. Their $7,000+ price tags may not be warranted.
The natural course of action is to spend our money in the midfield. Midfielders typically offer nearly as much upside and a safer floor anyway, so if we can get a goal or two from our forwards then we're in business.
The player I am locking in first is Lee Nguyen ($6,300), who is once again earning his reputation as a slow starter, but he has been growing into his role in recent matches. He's shooting and crossing with more urgency and finding dangerous areas on the field. While New England will be without Charlie Davies, they haven't had trouble scoring on Orlando City since the Lions entered the league. I think Nguyen
Lineup No. 1: Monstrous Midfield
To come to terms with this lineup, we first must take a look at some players we didn't roster. The top few tiers of forwards this week are not as inspiring as usual. I've been a big proponent of sticking with Kei Kamara, but at $9,000 and on the road in Seattle, I'll look for better options. David Villa and Didier Drogba each played a full 90 minutes during midweek matches and last weekend. One is old, the other one is ancient. They are playing at home, but to respectable defensive sides. Villa still intrigues, but I'll pass. Chris Wondolowski and Cyle Larin are decent bets for goals in their road duels, but they don't do all that much else to score points otherwise. Their $7,000+ price tags may not be warranted.
The natural course of action is to spend our money in the midfield. Midfielders typically offer nearly as much upside and a safer floor anyway, so if we can get a goal or two from our forwards then we're in business.
The player I am locking in first is Lee Nguyen ($6,300), who is once again earning his reputation as a slow starter, but he has been growing into his role in recent matches. He's shooting and crossing with more urgency and finding dangerous areas on the field. While New England will be without Charlie Davies, they haven't had trouble scoring on Orlando City since the Lions entered the league. I think Nguyen puts the team on his shoulders once more and creates a goal, but even if the attack is silenced, Nguyen should have a safe floor of points at home.
Next, I'm looking to the Philadelphia Union for some offensive production. They host a San Jose team who aren't nearly as intimidating on the road as they are in Avaya Stadium. C.J. Sapong ($6,100) is on quite the hot streak and if the Union intend to show their home fans some goals, he should be the prime beneficiary. I'll pair Sapong with Tranquillo Barnetta ($5,100) who played his first long shift of the season last weekend. While I prefer the safety and upside that set pieces and corners give Barnetta, Roland Alberg ($3,300) is a cheaper alternative in the Union attack if you want to shift some salary elsewhere. It's worth noting that San Jose have the defensive chops to travel to the East Coast and earn a surprise clean sheet, but I feel relatively good about the Union's chances.
Complementing our first three attacking picks are Javier Morales ($6,700), Giles Barnes ($6,300) and Jermaine Jones ($3,700). Barnes and Morales face off in the late match that should feature goals. Both Real Salt Lake and Houston are not good defensive units, and these two midfielders have a nose for goal. Jermaine Jones remains a great value since bursting onto the scene two matches ago. I'm rolling with him until he cools off, even on the road against the stout defense of Montreal. Even though he's a doubt to continue scoring, his floor is quite appealing.
Chances are you already peeked at the lineup picture and have been waiting for this moment. Our final forward selection is Femi Hollinger-Janzen ($3,000), already the second best "Femi" in MLS history after Obafemi Martins. The dynamic rookie has been a huge boost coming off the bench for New England and often makes them look more dangerous right away. He's earned more minutes, and I would not be surprised to see him start in New England's second match in four days. His matchup is just alright, his team is not an offensive juggernaut, and his start is not guaranteed. However, the extreme savings has allowed us to assemble one of the better midfields you have ever witnessed in this article's history. If Hollinger-Janzen can grab us ten points, I'm encouraged that we'll have a great day.
In goal, I've selected Matt Lampson of the Chicago Fire. They host a D.C. United team that will likely be without both starting center midfielders and star attacker Fabian Espindola. This likely pushes the exciting Luciano Acosta into the lineup, but I'm not convinced he can do everything on his own right away. It's as bad a week for cheap fullbacks as it is for pricey forwards, but I'll pair Michael Harrington ($3,100) with Lampson in hopes of a clean sheet. Rounding out the defense is Jordan Allen ($3,100) and Demar Phillips ($3,200). Since Real Salt Lake play in the only late match of this slate, I'd suggest jumping on any cheap plays that emerge as lineups are released throughout the day instead of these final two picks. Jordan Allen does have some upside, though, if he gets another start on the attacking wing in Joao Plata's absence.
This lineup has some interchangeable parts that make it extra appealing. Ignacio Piatti and Federico Higuain can easily swap in for other midfielders if you prefer their matchups. Olmes Garcia is a possibility to start in Real Salt Lake's attack as well, and gives us an extra out if Hollinger-Janzen doesn't start.
Devil's Advocate: While the top forwards appear disappointing as a group, one or two are bound to have a good night. One midfield downgrade could help us afford another good forward, and this may be the safer strategy. Our three defenders are nothing to get excited about and perhaps we should have make room for one highly priced option.
Why We'll Win: Our attack has seven plays that appear to be really strong, and one wildcard. I don't need to tell you what should happen if that one gamble pans out. Even if we don't strike gold, the rest of the lineup has a relatively safe floor and high ceiling that should help us finish in the money in tournaments.
Lineup No. 2: Modest Midfield
In stark contrast to the first lineup, we won't be spending big bucks for elite midfield options here. I think there are also plenty of value plays in this week's crop of midfield talent.
Patrick Nyarko ($4,300) sounds fired up to play his old team in Chicago. The shifty winger is typically a 50/50 shot to reach double-digit fantasy points, and he should safely cross that benchmark with revenge game motivation against a slumping Chicago side. Alvaro Saborio and Luciano Acosta may or may not start, but they'll definitely see time alongside Nyarko at some point and have been catalysts for the D.C. United attack.
Marco Donadel ($3,900) appears to have snatched set piece duty, including corner kicks, from Ignacio Piatti. While Drogba will get involved in the most dangerous spots, Donadel brings a safe floor with the corners alone. The Italian also has an underrated shot from distance that could surprise Zac MacMath.
Justin Meram ($5,000) would be leading the confidence per dollar metric if we could measure it. The "cheap" exposure to Columbus' attacking group continues to attack opposing defenders without hesitation. Brad Evans won't be available for the Sounders and Kei Kamara was already going to pose problems for Seattle. Meram should find his space and take advantage with a fifth straight double-digit outing.
Finishing our midfield are Jermaine Jones and Tranquillo Barnetta who are just too good values to not use in both lineups. If you want an alternative pairing, consider Jared Jeffrey ($2,500) and upgrading the other spot to Ignacio Piatti, Giles Barnes or Lee Nguyen.
Defensively, I want to find a stack that works for this lineup. Since our midfield isn't comprised of superstars, we could use a collective clean sheet boost. Call me crazy, but I'm fond of NYC FC's defense this week. Both NYC and Vancouver played on Wednesday night, but Patrick Viera's side gets to remain at home while Vancouver must fly to the Big Apple. The Whitecaps struggled to a 1-1 draw against a heavily rotated Sporting Kansas City side that they should have handled easily. Nevertheless, teams tend to find shots in the cramped confines of Yankee Stadium which gives Josh Saunders plenty of upside at the rate of two points per save. Fullbacks Ronald Matarrita and Andoni Iraola accompany Saunders and both can activate offensively. Lastly, Jalil Anibaba gives us plenty of crossing potential against a Real Salt Lake side that is exceptionally gifted at conceding them. Houston should attack a vulnerable Real Salt Lake side in this match, even on the road.
Finally, onto the forwards. Chris Wondolowski edges out David Villa to get into our lineup, thanks to his consistency. Wondo has grabbed goals in seven of his previous eight matches, including all three road games. The Philadelphia Union are improved, but let's hold off on the victory parade. I still think they are capable of allowing plenty of goals. Wondo may not have the upside of Villa, but he allows us to afford a better second striker in Yura Movsisyan ($5,100). Yura's return to RSL has been quieter than expected, but nothing cures a goal-scoring drought like the Houston Dynamo. With Joao Plata still injured, Movsisyan and Burrito Martinez are in line to benefit from the ruthless creativity of Javier Morales. I lean Movsisyan here only because Martinez is carrying a quad injury. I think the two forwards are pretty close in value this week, but Burrito will be a far more popular choice so consider this an appealing differential.
While this lineup may not be the most practical, it's a good foil to the first option. As is often the case, the best solution might be a compromise of the two approaches. Shift some salary around and see if you want to lean towards a budget midfield or the star-studded foundation from above.
Devil's Advocate: In terms of "pop," this lineup is weak. With very little star power, we'll need to hit on most of these choices, and that might be a bit optimistic. This feels close, but we're probably one more influential force away from success.
Why We'll Win: One of the keys to finding tournament success is taking a popular and expensive pick, and then unearthing the "cheaper version" of them that can match their output but save salary space. Players like Donadel and Nyarko could do just that. After all, Lee Nguyen and Ignacio Piatti have disappointed owners many times over in just this season alone. Finding the right forwards is key under this approach and it's hard to go wrong with Wondolowski.
