There aren’t many weeks on the MLS schedule when we don’t have Toronto FC striker Sebastian Giovinco locked in to our DraftKings MLS Daily Fantasy Leagues lineup but with the “Atomic Ant” questionable to play on Saturday because of a bruised heel, we are hesitant to make him our highest-paid player. There are other alternatives on the board that are less expensive and allow us to commit more money to other spots. The result is a pretty stacked lineup from top to bottom.
Here is a look at what we’re working with in MLS DraftKings this week:
GK: Brian Rowe, LA Galaxy
Salary: $5,300
The Galaxy followed up a 5-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes with a 3-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo in which they looked completely lost at times. However, they should be motivated to bounce back this week coming out of the All-Star break. The 18 goals scored by the Colorado Rapids this season are the fewest in the MLS, so we feel comfortable plugging Rowe in at a reasonable price as our goalkeeper.
D: Dan Gargan, LA Galaxy
Salary: $4,400
It makes sense to stick with the theme of a favorable matchup for the Galaxy when plugging in two reasonably priced defenders in order to save more money for more important positions. Omar Gonzalez and AJ DeLaGarza are just beyond our price range but Gargan is a perfect fit.
D: Leonardo, LA Galaxy
Salary: $4,300
Leonardo actually owns a higher fantasy points per game this season than DeLaGarza and is right behind Gonzalez in that department, so the fact that we can plug him in here as our second defender at a lower cost is excellent value. The matchup is great against a light-scoring Colorado team.
M: Kaka, Orlando City SC
Salary: $10,700
Orlando will battle a dangerous Columbus team with important points on the line as they remain locked in a three-way tie for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. That could mean plenty of scoring. Kaka is Orlando’s most lethal offensive player by far and we have no reservations about making him our highest paid player for a home date with the Crew.
M: Michael Bradley, Toronto FC
Salary: $5,300
Giovinco is doubtful to play for TFC against the New England Revolution but Bradley remains an excellent value play at less than half the price. Bradley will be even more important with Giovinco out. He has the potential to be an outstanding bargain play at the midfield position this weekend.
F: Dom Dwyer, Sporting KC
Salary: $9,200
Sporting KC won’t underestimate a Houston team that just blew away the Galaxy and the fact they will have home field for this matchup makes us appreciate Dwyer’s potential even more as their most dangerous striker. Dwyer doesn’t get the same recognition as players like Giovinco and Clint Dempsey, but he has been very consistent for Sporting KC all season. He should be in for another strong performance in an important contest.
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F: Kekuta Manneh, Vancouver
Salary: $7,500
Manneh doesn’t need many opportunities to make opponents pay as only Octavio Rivero has a higher average fantasy points per game for the Whitecaps this season. Vancouver will have its hands full against the Sounders but we really like Manneh as a potential difference maker for the Whitecaps up front in this matchup. The Whitecaps have 27 goals in 22 contests this season.
FLEX: Ike Opara, Sporting KC
Salary: $3,000
Investing so much money in our midfielders and forwards wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t have a valuable bargain option for the FLEX position. Fortunately we have Opara to put into our lineup at the minimum price. Opara has shown flashes of his offensive potential in addition to being a solid defender for Sporting KC this season and we love the fact that we can get him here as a FLEX play.
