This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
Lineup No. 1: Mighty Midfield
It's a new season, but with the same major lineup question: to Giovinco or not to Giovinco? Last year's MVP will be playing a New York Red Bulls team that slowed him down better than most last season. With all 20 teams in action, there's perhaps no better time to step into the danger zone and assemble a lineup without Toronto's talisman. To compensate, we'll rely on proven producers in the midfield. This could very well be the only week this lineup is remotely possible, as prices begin to tighten up, particularly for the new faces in MLS.
Our main three midfielders are the top three in my rankings this week. Diego Valeri ended last year looking great as the Timbers hoisted the MLS Cup, but he was even better the season before when he did not have to battle back from a significant injury. With a full preseason and a clean bill of health, Valeri will almost surely establish himself as one of the league's brightest stars. The fixture, a rematch of the MLS Cup final, presents a good outlook for the still-improving Timbers attack.
Next, we'll look to Lee Nguyen, who will travel to Houston to face an unpredictable Dynamo team. Similar to Valeri, Nguyen looked good at the end of last season after overcoming early season knocks, but he looked even better in 2014. Many people seem to be sleeping on Nguyen's potential in a season where he's extra-motivated to earn a starting spot on the U.S. National Team. Finally, we have Mauro Diaz, my favorite midfield play this weekend. Nobody in the league has made as many memorable passes as Diaz over the past two years and preseason reports indicate that he's locked in. It's still early, but this looks to be the season where the planets finally align for FC Dallas, and Diaz is a key part of that. Look for them to get off to a hot start hosting a Philadelphia defense entering the season with many question marks.
Staying in Dallas, I see some great budget options on both sides. For Dallas, Kellyn Acosta ($3,200) should get a start in the defensive midfield. He's eligible as a defender, but does find plenty of opportunities to join a talented attack and can grab stats many different ways. I also like the potential of Maxi Urruti ($4,700). Since joining from Portland in the offseason, he appears to have grabbed the starting gig from Tesho Akindele and is a downright steal at this price playing alongside Diaz and Fabian Castillo. On the Union side, Ilsinho's price is too good to pass up. For just $2,600, we can purchase a former Shaktar Donetsk talent who will likely be overtop of set pieces and on corner kick duty.
We'll look to the Rocky Mountains for our final two attacking picks. Shkelzen Gashi may be the best signing of the offseason and the Colorado Rapids hope that he carries over his form from the Swiss Super League. With FC Basel, the forward earned the Golden Boot in both of the past two seasons and is a capable playmaker as well. Despite a tough road match in San Jose, Gashi's $4,900 price tag and midfield eligibility make him a very appealing option. Lastly, we'll look to Juan Manuel Martinez of Real Salt Lake to provide a high floor of offensive points. The winger has shown well in RSL's CONCACAF Champions League matches and looks more comfortable than his initial half-season in 2015. "Burrito" is a foul-drawing machine and should flourish alongside an elite attacking group of Javier Morales, Yura Movsisyan and Joao Plata. RSL's opponent, Orlando City, may once again be one of the league's weakest teams defensively.
Finally, we need to complete our defense. In goal, David Ousted ($3,900) has great chance to stymie the Didier Drogba-less Montreal Impact. A good matchup for the 2016 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year needs no further explanation. We have enough salary remaining to afford two of the league's best attacking fullbacks in Brek Shea ($3,300) and Ronald Matarrita ($3,000). At times, both could look more like attacking wingers than defenders. Shea had a preseason groin injury and it's unclear if it will hinder his willingness to get forward, but the upside is as high as any defender available. Matarrita may be a new name to some, but after a few games with NYC FC, I expect every daily fantasy player to know him well. He's lined up as an attacking winger at times in the preseason, but projects to start at left back in Patrick Viera's 4-3-3. Chris Tierney and Harrison Afful are the only players I'd consider paying up for, but not when you can get Matarrita this cheaply instead.
Devil's Advocate: We didn't just leave out Giovinco, we bypassed all of the high-priced forwards in favor of midfield superstars. Given the numerous value plays on the board, we didn't have to do that. Though our midfield picks are great, it's possible that we could replicate their production with lower cost players. Our forward selections of Urruti and Burrito may lack the high-ceiling upside of some other strikers.
Why We'll Win: This lineup has an extremely high floor but potential for even more. Each player should have little trouble recouping our investment and any extra output should push us above template Giovinco or Kei Kamara teams.
Lineup No. 2: Giovinco and Co.
Turns out fitting Sebastian Giovinco ($9,400) into our lineups isn't all that hard. For fun, I've even paired him with another blue chip forward in David Villa ($8,500). Both of these players could be involved in goal-fests and if you want a tournament strategy that puts all of your eggs in just a few baskets, this is it. Enjoy it, because if last season is any indication, DraftKings will sharpen up their player prices quickly.
Giovinco and Villa need little introduction. The two prolific forwards are frontrunners for the MLS Golden Boot. A road match for both is not terribly worrisome since both will play defenses carrying multiple question marks entering the season. I've added a third forward to our lineup in Yura Movsisyan. Orlando's defense may be starting 19-year old Tommy Redding, who while promising, will be a welcome change of pace compared to the Queretaro defense RSL faced in CONCACAF Champions League. Movsisyan looks to be a focal point of a ferocious Real Salt Lake attack this season, and his fantasy value largely hinges on how quickly he can shake off the preseason rust. I think even a rusty performance might look good against Orlando this week.
This lineup carries four midfielders, none of whom cost more than $3,900. Andreas Ivanschitz effectively plays the No. 10 role in Seattle and has been looking quite dangerous in the preseason. He ended last year playing extremely well, and he should at least split set pieces with Clint Dempsey. Ilsinho is one of two carryovers from Lineup No. 1, thanks to his outstanding value, and he should return value even if Philadelphia have a dreadful game in Dallas. Kevin Molino and Dillon Serna both present some risks, but they are massively talented up-and-comers. Molino began last season with Orlando impressively before going down with an ACL injury. He was the Lions' USL MVP twice before the team joined MLS and looks to be fully healthy entering the season. He should use his nearly unparalleled speed to get up the flank and serve plenty of crosses into Cyle Larin.
After two years fighting for playing time, Serna may finally break into the Rapids side as a major player. The 21-year old US international is another speedy winger that consistently finds opportunities for goals. His problem thus far has been a plethora of "rookie mistakes" and there's definitely room for improvement in his finishing touch. All of a sudden, Colorado looks like it could have an above average MLS attack, and I think Serna will benefit greatly from the influx of talent this offseason.
Defensively, I've brought Ronald Matarrita back into the fold. There simply aren't many enticing alternatives at or below $3,000 in defense. Joevin Jones ($3,100) is poised for a breakout season in Seattle's offensive-minded 4-3-3 and looked dangerous in the preseason. He's been a bit of a liability defensively, but as long as manager Sigi Schmidt continues to allow him the freedom to get upfield, there won't be many more dynamic fullbacks than Jones. Sporting Kansas City will bring their best to Seattle, but few teams will have an easy time turning down the volume on the Sounders attack.
Finally, I'm taking a shot with Steve Birnbaum. After a headed goal in a U.S. National Team friendly, everyone is suddenly noticing how great Birnbaum is on set pieces. His opponent, the Los Angeles Galaxy, looked extremely poor in defending set pieces this preseason. A.J. DeLaGarza is one of the least imposing centerbacks in the league, Jelle Van Damme is a left back turned central defender, and the Galaxy's other expensive stars (read: Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos) are further liabilities defending aerially. Picking a defender to score a goal is always a dice roll, but Birnbaum's chances are elevated this weekend. I've left us enough money to roll with David Ousted once more, but as an alternative option, I've picked Bobby Shuttleworth ($3,500) of the New England Revolution. Houston could be improved offensively this season, but I will believe it when I see it. For now, I think they are at best an inconsistent attack, and New England are the type of veteran team who can keep them under wraps.
Devil's Advocate: Whereas the first lineup may have been too well-rounded, this one is not well-rounded enough. The lack of a true midfield star puts unnecessary reliance on our forward group. With so many value plays at forward, is it truly worth paying up for Giovinco and Villa on the road?
Why We'll Win: We really only need one of our three midfielders to have a stand out performance to place us high in the standings. This lineup should score plenty of goals with two leading contenders for the 2016 Golden Boot.
