It will be another busy weekend in the MLS including seven games on the schedule for Saturday. The full slate will mean plenty of options to choose from when it comes to building the ideal roster in DraftKings tournaments but we have taken the time to break down the best possible combination of star players and strong value options to make sure that you are in position to make some cash this weekend. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Saturday’s DraftKings MLS Fantasy Leagues.
GK: Joe Willis, Houston
Salary: $3,400
The Chicago Fire has gone six straight games without a win and is 0-3-2 on the road this season. The Dynamo are buried at the bottom of the Western Conference standings right now but a home matchup with the Fire should help them climb out of that 10th spot. The Dynamo are 0-5-0 on the road this season but own a 3-1-2 mark at home. Chicago has scored a league-low eight goals so far this season and we are banking on that Willis will close the door on them again this weekend.
D: David Horst, Houston
Salary: $2,900
The Fire have struggled to produce at the offensive end of the pitch and after rolling with Willis in goal it only makes sense to plug in a couple of strong value options from a Houston defense that will benefit greatly from the matchup on Saturday.
D: Agus, Houston
Salary: $2,800
Agus and Horst don’t offer much offensive upside but both should play the full 90 minutes against Chicago. The clean sheet bonus should be in play with this matchup and we are banking on it making Horst and Agus solid value plays that allow us to save more money to spend at more important MLS fantasy positions.
D: Walker Zimmerman, FC Dallas
Salary: $2,800
FC Dallas is coming off back-to-back wins for the third time this season and they should get their best opportunity to make it three in a row for the first time this season when they host New England this weekend. The Revolution have yet to win on the road this year at 0-3-3 and with Zimmerman we are hoping for a strong defensive effort that would make him an excellent MLS fantasy value play at just $2.8K.
M: Mauro Diaz, FC Dallas
Salary: $7,600
After using a minimal amount of money on our defender positions we can start to spend a little more in the midfield beginning with Diaz, who has been an absolute force for FC Dallas so far this season. Diaz is tied for second in the MLS with five assists this season and he should help create plenty of opportunities for his forwards against New England this weekend.
M: Lloyd Sam, New York Red Bulls
Salary: $6,300
The New York Derby between the Red Bulls and NYCFC should be a classic with both teams in a playoff position heading in to the matchup and we are expecting plenty of scoring in that game. Sam should be in the thick of things again following a strong start as he looks to build on his five points through the first 12 games of the season.
M: Thomas McNamara, New York City FC
Salary: $5,200
McNamara will be Sam’s equal on the other side of the pitch as a unique playmaker that has been excellent early on this year. McNamara is already up to three goals and four assists in his first four games and at $5.2K he should be an excellent value option for this final midfield spot.
F: Joao Plata, Real Salt Lake
Salary: $6,100
Real Salt Lake will attempt to bounce back with a win following a pair of disappointing losses and while they haven’t been as good on the road as they have been at home they should be in position to produce some offense. Plata has been solid early on for RSL with four goals and four assists through his first eight appearances and we are banking on that he will continue his point per game pace on Saturday.
F: Will Bruin, Houston
Salary: $5,200
Bruin is off to a strong start with three goals and two assists through his first 10 games and we like him to find the score sheet on Saturday when the Dynamo visit Chicago. Bruin is available at a very reasonable $5.2K in DraftKings tournaments and that is a big part of what makes him a major asset in our lineup for this weekend.
FLEX: Khiry Shelton, New York City FC
Salary: $4,600
Shleton is an exceptional value at the FLEX position as a forward that has produced two goals and four assists through his first nine games of the season. The fact that Shelton is still available at under $5K makes him a very strong play for this weekend.
FLEX: Zach Loyd, FC Dallas
Salary: $3,000
With just over $3K left over to spend on our final FLEX position we opted to turn back to a favorable matchup for FC Dallas with another strong value option from their back end. Loyd doesn’t offer much offensive upside but he should be able to hold his own at the defensive end of the pitch and we like his MLS fantasy potential in this spot.
