The countdown to the 2015 MLS playoffs is on and with so many teams still in contention for a postseason position, it will only add to the excitement down the stretch. Saturday night’s schedule will feature four key games that will each have implications for the MLS playoff race and we have factored that into our decisions while building the ideal lineup for fantasy action.
GK: David Bingham, San Jose
Salary: $5,300
San Jose is coming off an impressive 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy last weekend as Bingham stopped all four shots he faced to earn the top fantasy honors among all MLS goalkeepers. Bingham has averaged three saves per game over the course of four straight clean sheet wins for the Earthquakes. There is absolutely no reason to expect anything less than a fifth straight clean sheet win here when they host a Philadelphia Union side that is buried at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings right now.
D: Shaun Francis, San Jose
Salary: $4,200
Francis was all over the field for San Jose in its win over the Galaxy last week including two shots and while he has been limited to just one assist this season, he has been much more willing to push forward and take his chances at the offensive end of late. The Earthquakes should be able to keep the Philadelphia attack in check and Francis will be a big part of that as they look for their fifth straight clean sheet victory.
D: Jose Goncalves, New England
Salary: $4,000
New England is another team that has been red hot of late with three straight wins and 13 of a possible 15 points to show for their last five contests. We don’t mind plugging in a reasonably priced defender from their squad ahead of a favorable matchup against Orlando City SC. Goncalves has just one goal and five shots in 21 games this season but he has the potential to contribute at both ends of the field and we feel comfortable using him this week at a price tag of just $4K.
M: Michael Bradley, Toronto FC
Salary: $7,000
Bradley’s DraftKings price tag finally climbed to $7K after he scored his fourth goal of the season and fired off four shots in last weekend’s 2-1 win over the Montreal Impact but with three points in his last two games, it’s not enough for us to shy away from him. Bradley has gotten better with every passing game this season and at still a very reasonable price we have no problem going back to him for this weekend.
M: Diego Fagundez, New England
Salary: $6,300
Fagundez scored the lone goal in New England’s 1-0 win over Philadelphia last weekend and with the Eastern Conference playoff race heating up, there will be an added sense of pressure on him to deliver in the Revolution midfield. Orlando City SC has gone five straight matches without a win and it won’t be a surprise if Fagundez adds to his point total against them this weekend at home.
F: Chris Wondolowski, San Jose
Salary: $9,200
Wondolowski couldn’t find the back of the net on his three shots in last week’s 1-0 win over LA but he has 12 goals in 23 MLS games this season. He should get plenty of opportunities to add to that total with the Union in town this weekend. Wondolowski had scored three goals in his previous two games and after coming up short last week he should bounce back with a strong performance at home.
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F: Dominic Oduro, Montreal
Salary: $8,300
Oduro spoiled Chris Konopka’s shutout bid in last weekends 2-1 loss to TFC with his seventh goal of the season while raising his shot total to 40 in 18 games this season. Montreal is right on the outside of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference right now. They will need a big performance from Oduro as they look to capitalize on a favorable matchup with Chicago and earn an absolutely crucial three points.
FLEX: Tyrone Mears, Seattle
Salary: $5,400
Seattle has won two of its last three after dropping five straight but is still fighting for a playoff spot from the sixth spot in the Western Conference standings. Toronto will represent a tough test this weekend but Mears has been excellent for the Sounders all year and he is our best option on the board that we can fit on our roster with the remaining salary we have available for the FLEX position.
