The push to the playoffs continues this weekend in the MLS with seven games on the schedule for Saturday. That will give us plenty of options to choose from when it comes to building a winning lineup for this weekend’s DraftKings events. We certainly took the playoff picture in to consideration when making our selections finding a perfect combination of star power and strong value options. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Saturday’s DraftKings MLS fantasy leagues.
GK: Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake
Salary: $3,800
Real Salt Lake is one of those teams battling for playoff position in the Western Conference and they are overdue for a win after going four consecutive games without a victory. Rimando hasn’t been at fault, and he could use a little more help in front of him this weekend. RSL should have the edge against a San Jose side that owns the second-worst record in the Western Conference so Rimando should be a strong MLS fantasy pick. Real Salt Lake has allowed 42 goals in 31 games this season.
D: Jamison Olave, Real Salt Lake
Salary: $4,300
Olave is another interesting play for much of the same reasons why we are rolling with Rimando as our goalkeeper in DraftKings tournaments. RSL is in a favorable situation against the Earthquakes so we will take their best defender heading in to that contest at San Jose. Real Salt Lake is currently in fourth place in the Western Conference standings with 45 points.
D: Drew Moor, Toronto FC
Salary: $3,900
Moor has quietly been very good for Toronto FC this season and his price tag still sits below $4K. We considered Drew Moor in this spot after his strong showing last week but with Moor still available at such a decent price we will roll with him as a strong value option instead. Toronto FC has managed to net 45 goals so far this season, which is a so-so number. Their strength has been on the defensive end where they’ve only allowed 33 goals so far. That’s the best number in the Eastern Conference as no other team has allowed less than 41 markers.
M: Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake
Salary: $7,400
It didn’t take us long to turn back to that favorable matchup for RSL with a quality midfielder available at a very reasonable price in Morales. Real Salt Lake should find the back of the net with at least a couple of goals versus San Jose and Morales will be front and center in their attack.
M: Patrick Mullins, DC United
Salary: $7,200
DC United will have a tough test against Toronto FC but the combination of his low price tag and the fact that they are fighting for that final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference has us buying in. Mullins has seven goals and an assist through 12 games this season and there is a good chance he adds to that total this weekend. D.C. United has managed to score 46 goals so far this season, which is not bad. Only three teams in the Eastern Conference have managed to score more than that.
F: Ola Kamara, Columbus
Salary: $9,300
Kamara delivered a massive performance in Columbus’ 4-1 win last weekend, scoring twice on his five shots including the game-winning goal. Kamara is a star talent up front but he still doesn’t force us to break the bank at $9.3K in MLS fantasy.
F: Dominic Dwyer, Sporting Kansas City
Salary: $9,000
Dwyer is another forward with the potential to put together a solid performance. Sporting Kansas City’s leading scorer has 15 goals and three assists this season and his club will be banking on him for a strong MLS fantasy performance in a key game against the New England Revolution.
FLEX: Chris Duvall, New York Red Bulls
Salary: $5,000
With just over $5K left over to spend on our FLEX position, Duvall could very well be the perfect option to wrap up our lineup. Duvall made his mark in last week’s 1-0 win over Montreal with an assist on Daniel Royer’s lone goal and his penchant for jumping up in the attack could lead to another solid fantasy performance in Saturday’s MLS fantasy tournaments.
