DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Saturday MLS Strategies

With JD away, I'm going to take a different approach to reviewing Saturday's MLS slate, as I found myself moving too many players in and out of the two potential lineups that focusing them all for an article proved sloppy. Instead, I've decided to break down the players I considered at different price points, which should allow readers the benefit of understanding why certain players will be in my lineups this weekend.

GOALKEEPERS

$2,800 - $3,500

Tyler Deric, HOU v. SKC ($3,100): Deric is back from his red card suspension and is likely to start in goal against Sporting KC, who has plenty of attacking weapons but few goals this season. SKC has scored multiple goals just twice this season, with the last time coming back on April 9 against the Red Bulls. Backup Joe Willis is priced $800 more, which puts Deric's potential in more context.

Over $3,500

Clint Irwin, TOR v. FCD ($4,100): While FC Dallas is certainly capable of putting up goals, as we saw them score multiple times against San Jose (two), Portland (three) and Sporting KC (two), they've somehow struggled to maintain it despite the return of Mauro Diaz. Toronto will be playing their first home game of the season after stadium renovations delayed their debut, and they'll be hosting a side that hasn't scored in back-to-back road matches.

Stefan Frei, SEA v. SJ ($4,500): The Sounders are the heaviest favorites on the Saturday slate and no one has better clean sheet odds, which is why Frei is the most expensive goalkeeper option.

DEFENDER

Under $3,000

It's important to understand that picking a player from this category comes with fairly significant risk. That being said, we've seen some of these cheap players pay off immensely, so it's always worth trying to find the ones that could break out.

Steven Beitashour, TOR v. FCD ($2,700): The price on Beitashour is a gift from DraftKings, as he's scored at least 10 points in three consecutive games, with his price never dropping below $3,300 in that span. He's had at least two crosses, fouls drawn and interceptions in each of his last two games, and he could grab that three-point clean sheet bonus with a solid effort from Irwin.

Bobby Burling, COL v. RSL ($2,800): If you're sitting there thinking "this guy is really picking a Rapids centerback? Gives us JD back!" I totally understand. Nevertheless, I have every intention of having some Burling shares this week and not because he scored a goal last week against Montreal. That type of score isn't likely to happen again, but Burling has won eight tackles and intercepted 12 passes in his last three games, as well as taking a shot in each. Again, you're not asking for much at $2,800, but Burling continues to be on track to make value.

$3,000-$3,500

Saad Abdul-Salaam, SKC at HOU ($3,200): While Abdul-Salaam isn't a high-volume crosser, he's a fairly accurate one, which has helped him pick up assists in two of his last four games. Additionally, he'd be a big benefactor of DraftKings changing their scoring system to one point per interception, as he has 14 in his last four.

Zarek Valentin, POR at VAN ($3,300): Valentin has sent in 11 crosses and won just as many tackles in the last three games, though he hasn't taken a single shot in that span, which certainly makes it tough to get a random goal.

Jordan Allen, RSL at COL ($3,500): We've discussed Allen at length on our podcast, and he finally paid off in a big way last week against Houston, finishing with 21 fantasy points thanks to a goal and an assist. His price is getting to the point where he's a questionable play, but it's still attractive if he's spending so much time in the attacking third.

Over $3,500

Joevin Jones, SEA v. SJ ($3,700): The absence of Andreas Ivanschitz last week against Columbus opened up a number of crossing opportunities, which Jones took advantage of by sending in seven after doing so nine times in his prior three starts. With Ivanschitz iffy to play again and the Sounders facing a lesser opponent, Jones could be very active again.

Tyrone Mears, SEA v. SJ ($4,200): In case seven crosses wasn't enough for you, Mears sent in 10 last weekend, though the extra points will cost you. One note of caution: Mears does very little else, so if the crosses aren't there, you could be paying big money for seven fantasy points.

MIDFIELDER

Under $4,000

Aaron Kovar, SEA v. SJ ($2,900): If the aforementioned Ivanschitz doesn't play again, Kovar could keep his spot in the starting lineup. He shared corner kick duty last weekend with Herculez Gomez, finishing with 11 fantasy points, including seven crosses, in 65 minutes. If he gets another start, the price is almost too low to pass on.

Marco Donadel, MTL at CLB ($3,900): Donadel has been in and out of the starting lineup due to the Impact's condensed schedule of late, but he's usually on most set pieces when he starts, and he's sent in 14 crosses in those last two instances.

Alberto Quintero, SJ at SEA ($3,900): Quintero's ability to generate points across multiple stat categories makes him a valuable fantasy option, as he's scored double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games despite sending in only three crosses in each outing.

$4,000-$5,000

Jermaine Jones, COL v. RSL ($4,000): Jones' goal streak came to an end last weekend, but he still managed to chip in an assist, giving him at least 15 fantasy points in all three starts this season. He is capable of contributing in a plethora of categories and could very well finish with multiple shots, shots on target, crosses, fouls drawn, tackles won and interceptions.

Shea Salinas, SJ at SEA ($4,000): There have been no indications that Salinas will start, but he'll absolutely be in my lineup if he does, as he's been a crossing machine in limited time, sending in 11 over his last 67 minutes.

$5,000-$6,500

A number of midfielders in this price range have the same problem: they have teammates who cost roughly the same and could either split production or you could end up choosing the wrong one. For example, both Christian Bolanos ($5,200) and Christian Techera ($5,900) are very viable fantasy options, with the former scoring a goal in back-to-back games, while the latter had three straight starts with at least 13 fantasy points.

In a similar vein, choosing between Benny Feilhaber ($6,400) and Brad Davis ($5,300) could prove fruitless playing at Houston (admittedly, not a defensive juggernaut). The latter obviously provides the salary savings but the former has the upside, despite Davis' goal last week.

Shkelzen Gashi, COL v. RSL ($5,400): The Rapids have a number of attractive fantasy plays (no, really!), as they are fairly underpriced for a team capable of scoring multiple goals. Jermaine Jones' hot start has grabbed plenty of the attention, but Gashi can't be overlooked after scoring at least 12 fantasy points in four of his last five games, including 21 against Seattle and 22 at Montreal in his last two, respectively.

Justin Meram, CLB v. MTL ($5,000): If you want exposure to the Crew attack at home against the Impact, Meram offers roughly the same floor and ceiling as Ethan Finlay but for $1,500 less.

Giles Barnes, HOU v. SKC ($6,300): Barnes always seems to be overlooked by DFS players until he has one of his signature 25-point games and we all remember what kind of player he can be. He has a fairly reliable floor, though he's not going to be a 10-cross player, so his full upside is goal-dependent.

Over $6,500

Javier Morales, RSL at COL ($6,800): Morales has looked great since returning from injury, scoring 42 fantasy points in his last two games. He's got solid goal upside, is a heavy crosser, and the possible return of Joao Plata likely helps his cause more than it hurts it.

Federico Higuain, CLB v. MTL ($6,900): While Meram provides exposure to the Crew attack at a discounted price, Higuain provides a significantly safer floor, hence the increase in price. He's scored at least 12 fantasy points in all but one game this season (that one happened to come against the Impact), and Columbus has the second-highest expected goals this week. If they score, Higuain will likely be involved.

Diego Valeri, POR at VAN ($8,400): Valeri's price continues to climb as his stretch of dominant play rolls right along, but he's getting to the point where pairing him with Sebastian Giovinco could be too cost prohibitive, and I'll take the Atomic Ant in that head-to-head. I would also question Valeri's mental readiness if he meets JD before kickoff.

FORWARD

Under $4,000

Herculez Gomez, SEA v. SJ ($3,400): Gomez was an excellent fantasy option last week, scoring 19 fantasy points against the Crew without a goal or an assist. He'll likely split corners with Aaron Kovar again if Andreas Ivanschitz is unable to play, and after putting three shots on goal last week, Gomez seems all but certain to keep his spot ahead of the struggling Nelson Valdez.

$4,000-$6,000

Luis Solignac, COL v. RSL ($4,600): If you're going to go all-in on a Rapids stack, why not take the guy closest to goal at less than $5,000? Solignac has hit double-digit fantasy points in five of his last six games, as he consistently takes multiple shots in each outing.

Will Bruin, HOU v. SKC ($5,300): Just kidding.

Joao Plata, RSL at COL ($6,200): The RSL attack offers a number of very playable options, but Plata offers an excellent floor and very solid upside. If he doesn't start, as he's coming back from injury, I'd have no problem swapping in Juan Manuel Martinez for $800 less.

$6,500-$9,700

To be honest, I'm likely going to fade this group of forwards, as they are all very goal dependent and are playing on the road, except for Kei Kamara, whose $8,800 price make him a tough pill to swallow when he fails to score a goal and finishes with seven fantasy points.

Over $9,700

Sebastian Giovinco, TOR v. FCD ($9,800): There is no better player in Major League Soccer, and the most amazing thing about Giovinco is his ability to score double-digit fantasy points even on the rare instances he doesn't bag a goal. Playing at Portland last week looked like a fine opportunity to fade Giovinco, and while one could take solace in the decision because he didn't find the back of the net, he still managed to score 29 fantasy points thanks to an assist, seven shots (one on goal), 10 crosses and five fouls drawn. With TFC playing their first home game of the season on Saturday, this may be the worst possible time to fade Giovinco.