The MLS season continues with five games on the schedule for Saturday. That will mean plenty of options to choose from in DraftKings daily MLS fantasy leagues. We took the time to break down the matchups, price tags and individual player statistics to figure out the best possible lineup for this weekend’s games. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Saturday’s DraftKings MLS fantasy leagues.
GK: John McCarthy, Philadelphia
Salary: $4,000
Philadelphia is 8-3-3 at home this season and should benefit from a favorable matchup against a Chicago Fire side that is buried at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. The Union won’t have Andre Blake in the lineup since he is playing in international competition this weekend so they will turn to McCarthy hoping that he can hold his own in goal. McCarthy should have an excellent opportunity to record a clean sheet win as Philadelphia looks to pick up an important three points at home.
D: Axel Sjoberg, Colorado
Salary: $3,800
We prefer to find value at the defender positions in order to have more money left over to spend at forward and midfield so Sjoberg appears to be a smart pick here. The Rapids are another team that appears to have a favorable matchup at home against a New England side that is 1-8-5 on the road this season so Sjoberg should be a smart bet.
D: Ronald Zubar, New York Red Bulls
Salary: $3,500
The Red Bulls have been involved in some high scoring games this season but they should be able to shut things down in their own end against a Vancouver side that has struggled. The Whitecaps are just 3-9-2 as the visiting team this season and we expect their struggles on the road to continue in New York this weekend.
M: Mauro Diaz, FC Dallas
Salary: $9,600
FC Dallas is coming off a big win last week and we are banking on them taking care of business against Portland on Saturday Diaz has recorded a team-high 14 points this season and he should be among the top MLS fantasy midfielder options on the board for this weekend’s fantasy games.
M: Tranquillo Barnetta, Philadelphia
Salary: $7,900
Barnetta raised his season totals to four goals and four assists with an impressive outing last weekend so we are doubling down on him this weekend. The Union are right in the thick of the race for top spot in the Eastern Conference and they should be able to take advantage of a favorable matchup with the Fire.
F: Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
Salary: $9,800
Wright-Phillips has emerged as one of the most dangerous strikers in the MLS as he is tied with Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco and New York City FC’s David Villa for the league lead with 16 goals. Wright-Phillips is still available at just $9.8K so it should be fairly clear that he is the top striker option available on the board for this week. The Red Bulls have 40 points on the season and that lands them in third place in the East. They are currently three points out of first place.
F: Michael Barrios, FC Dallas
Salary: $5,600
Barrios struck twice in last week’s win to raise his total to eight goals in 25 appearances for FC Dallas this season. Barrios will have every opportunity to add to his total this weekend in a starting role and at just $5.6K he represents one of the better bargains on the board for Saturday’s MLS fantasy tournaments. Dallas is currently in first place in the Western Conference on the strength of their offense. They have scored 42 goals in 27 games this season.
FLEX: Pedro Morales, Vancouver
Salary: $5,300
The Whitecaps will have a tough time on the road against the Red Bulls but it’s hard to ignore Morales as a value play at the FLEX position. Vancouver’s top midfielder leads the club with six goals and six assists this season and at just $5.3K he is a smart value option for the final position on our MLS fantasy roster. Vancouver is currently in second-last place in the Western Conference with just 31 points. They are six points ahead of last place Houston.
