This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
We've got a six-game slate for DraftKings' MLS contests on Saturday, including some big names for fantasy production.Here's the schedule:
Portland Timbers at Toronto FC - 5:00 p.m. EDT
D.C. United at New England Revolution - 7:30 p.m.
FC Dallas at Montreal Impact - 8:00 p.m.
Vancouver Whitecaps at Colorado Rapids - 9:00 p.m.
Sporting Kansas City at Seattle Sounders - 10:00 p.m.
New York City FC at Real Salt Lake - 10:00 p.m.
Goalkeepers
Bill Hamid ($3,400)
Only the New York Red Bulls have tallied more than a single goal against D.C. United this season. On the strength of a stellar back four, and league standout goalie Hamid, United are probably the last team an MLS forward wants to face. This week, Hamid gets a difficult opponent in New England. However, the Revolution are coming off an ugly defeat midweek and can't be expected to fight at full force. 2014 Rookie of the Year candidate Steve Birnbaum could return from injury to fortify the back line even further as well. Astonishingly, Hamid comes in as the 18th-most expensive goalkeeping option on Saturday even with only 12 teams in action. Yes, you read that correctly. On a match day full of interesting options in net, it's tough to look any farther than the league's best keeper at such a steep discount.
Dan Kennedy ($4,400)
Montreal's four-goal performance last week could scare our competitors, but we're going to pick against the Impact yet again. Four important offensive players are now missing due to injury in Justin Mapp, Dominic Oduro, Kenny Cooper and Cameron Porter, and the Canadian CCL Cinderella must deal with an imposing MLS side this week in FC Dallas. While Kennedy has looked pedestrian at times this season, he has also stolen points for FC Dallas at others. His price this week accounts for the average play, while the opponent and potential of performing much better make him a steal for just $4,400. While Montreal should struggle to get more than a few quality chances, they aren't afraid to take poor shots which could mean plenty of easy saves in your fantasy lineups. There's a chance that Chris Seitz gets the nod in net over Kennedy this week, but either make a great value play in a week where Montreal's opponent might not be as popular a pick as usual.
David Ousted ($4,700)
Ousted gets a spot in this column with regularity, and it is well deserved having kept three clean sheets in the past five matches. Vancouver get another softer opponent this weekend that makes their reliable keeper a good fantasy option once more. The Colorado Rapids will be integrating some new faces into their attack, with Premier League veteran Kevin Doyle and young Argentine Luis Solignac, and it doesn't feel like a situation that will click right away. Even so, reluctance to include Ousted would be understandable if you think they will hit the ground running. I'll stick to what I've seen this season though, and note a good defense (Vancouver) playing a traditionally poor offense (Colorado). Ousted is our third goalkeeping option playing for an away side, but that factor is more often than not a mirage in Major League Soccer, and a trip to Colorado shouldn't worry you.
Other Keepers to Consider:Adam Kwarasey ($3,900), Josh Saunders ($3,300)
Defenders
Alvas Powell ($4,000)
While other premier defenders soar in price, Powell remains affordable. In the right situation, he is one of the more offensive fullbacks in the league. Portland should dominate the wings against Toronto FC on Saturday, allowing Powell to get up the field and contribute to an increasingly dangerous attack. Fanendo Adi provides an enormous target in the box for any crosses the lightning-quick Jamaican defender can swing in, and the Timbers shouldn't have any trouble keeping plenty of possession. Powell has yet to show his worth since DraftKings adopted MLS competitions, but his time is coming! Finding a quality fullback for only $4,000 is no longer an easy task and squeezing in expensive attacking choices could require taking a leap of faith with Powell this weekend.
Sean Franklin ($4,800)
D.C. United's defensive prowess has already been mentioned, and Franklin is big contributor. In addition to keeping opponents off the board, Franklin is always good for chipping in a couple crosses. He may not be quite as offensive as the other defenders we like to consider in fantasy, but a less-rested New England Revolution side could provide more opportunities for him to push up the field. Like the rest of the team, Franklin really doesn't jump off the page as a spectacular option at this price, but defender is a tough position this weekend and D.C. United combine clean sheet potential with offensive upside. Look to Franklin, or whomever starts on the other side of the back line, to get an affordable piece of one of Major League Soccer's highest performing teams.
Moises Hernandez ($4,600)
Hernandez is a fairly similar selection to Franklin, as he plays on an outstanding MLS team who will face a weaker opponent. He has the ability to join the attack and create chances for teammates but more often decides to focus on defensive responsibilities. Hernandez does have two assists on the season and more could follow thanks to a potent group of offensive teammates, but Dallas' attack typically builds in a rapid fashion, capping the upside of a defender like Hernandez who won't get as many chances to join in on the action. Still, he's as good a bet for a couple cross against Montreal as most defenders this weekend, and Dallas could certainly get the bonus points for blanking their opponent.
Other Defenders to Consider:Chris Tierney ($6,200), Chris Wingert ($3,200), Kendall Waston ($3,900).
Midfielders
Mauro Diaz ($8,200)
FC Dallas are interesting in that their offensive players get the job done individually more than many of the league's other attacks, but it happens in a way that makes each one of the players better. Fabian Castillo, Blas Perez Diaz don't typically knock the ball around with the flair of Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, with the chemistry of the Columbus Crew or with the practicality of Benny Feilhaber, Graham Zusi and Dom Dwyer, but they each bring a different weapon to battle that help Dallas pry their opponent's defense wide open. Diaz and his arsenal of tricks are what pushes FC Dallas from a good team to a great team. Since returning from a month away, he has notched two goals and four assists in four matches. While defenses are busy containing Perez up top, or dealing with Castillo's speed out wide, Diaz rules the middle of the field. He is what we all hoped Federico Higuain would continue to be this season, which can only be taken as a large compliment. Diaz will force you to open up the checkbook this weekend, but if you can squeeze his salary in, there aren't many comparable midfield options. Montreal might not have an answer for this FC Dallas team.
Michael Bradley ($6,400)
It's ironic that Jozy Altidore's hamstring injury causes so much real, on the pitch woe for Bradley and TFC, but it will likely benefit Bradley's fantasy alter ego. Bradley's domestic game generally consists of stoically snuffing out opposing attacks before they can generate momentum, yet missing out on the offensive side of the fun. His international game, inexplicably, features him in a marginally more offensive position that isn't always good enough against a high level of competition. Against MLS competition, though, his offensive game has plenty of potential. This was made clear last week when Bradley pierced the New England defense with a long dribble and well placed finish. It will be a necessity that he continues to venture forward in this way as TFC confronts life without Altidore for at least the next month, and Sebastian Giovinco provides a top-notch option to combine with when he does. After the top tier of fantasy midfielders, Bradley stands out as one of the more intriguing options at $6,400 and might be overlooked by many long-time MLS fantasy aficionados.
Diego Valeri ($6,700)
If going out on a limb for Bradley isn't your cup of tea, paying just $300 more for his opponent Valeri should be appealing. His price has yet to catch up to his prolific abilities despite 11 and 17-point performances in his two games back from injury, and Toronto presents a great opponent to target with the offensive portion of your lineups. Portland's attack is starting to find it's groove with Valeri centering Darlington Nagbe and Rodney Wallace who both should wreak havoc on Toronto's sub-par outside backs while Fanendo Adi causes trouble in the box. Manager Caleb Porter is stressing the importance of grabbing points early on what many are calling the start of Portland's toughest stretch of the schedule this season, and Valeri should neither disappoint his manager nor his fantasy managers.
Other Midfielders to Consider:Lamar Neagle ($6,300), Pedro Morales ($8,600), Cristian Techera ($4,000).
Forwards
Clint Dempsey ($10,500)
Dempsey's last outing was disappointing in fantasy terms, with just eight points despite an assist. But don't let that steer you away from DraftKings' most expensive player. He has only scored below 14 points one other time this season and averages nearly 18 per game. Obafemi Martins remains out, which doesn't help, but Deuce is perfectly capable of working on his own (which is essentially what he will be doing if Chad Barrett starts up top once more). Seattle's opponent, Sporting Kansas City, played an impressive match Wednesday in which they downed the New England Revolution, but their injury-laden team must now deal with a short turnaround for the match at raucous CenturyLink Field. Fire up Dempsey with confidence as he looks to extend his ten-match point streak.
Alvaro Saborio ($7,800)
For a numbers guy, I sure love a good narrative. Jason Kreis, both the first player in Real Salt Lake team history and their long time manager, returns to Rio Tinto Stadium with his new outfit NYC FC. Real Salt Lake will want to put their best foot forward for their fans, who are both appreciative of Kreis' crucial influence and hungry to show him that he made a mistake in leaving. Saborio, a favorite of fantasy MLS savant Schuyler Redpath, presents the best option for RSL to score a goal. Saborio was the star scorer on RSL's best ever team in 2012 and feels on the verge of finding his scoring touch once more. This story line presents as good a time as ever, particularly if the dynamic Joao Plata makes his long anticipated return from injury. As Real Salt Lake look to bounce back from an embarrassing 4-1 loss to Montreal last week, count on the affordable Saborio to will himself onto the score sheet in some way.
Luke Moore ($3,700)
Moore's talent places him in consideration this week as he fills in for Jozy Altidore, and his price makes him one of the top options. Anyone starting in Toronto's attack alongside Sebastian Giovinco is worth a look, and Moore will hope to benefit from the Italian's magic. In England, Moore proved a capable scorer in both the Premiership and Championship levels, but his finishing touch has been somewhat lacking since moving to MLS with just four goals last season in Toronto. Portland's defense is not an easy matchup for Moore, but Giovinco and Michael Bradley surely will give him ample opportunities to score. In a league where 12 out of 20 teams make the playoffs, I like to look for players with a little extra motivation above the normal grind of the regular season. Moore should be one such player, as it's likely the Englishman's final stretch of games to make his case for more frequent starts in Toronto. Frugal shoppers and smart fantasy players alike will rush to get Moore in their lineups this week, and it's likely a scenario where you should just follow the crowd rather than miss out on the value.
Other Forwards to Consider:Dom Dwyer ($8,400), Fanendo Adi ($7,600), Chris Rolfe ($7,800).
