Colorado put on a show last week with a 4-0 win over FC Dallas but the LA Galaxy were just as impressive in shutting down the Seattle Sounders with a 1-0 win. Meanwhile, Orlando traveled to Portland and handed them a 2-0 defeat to move in to a tie with the New York Red Bulls for second in the Eastern Conference. Narrowing down the best possible starting DraftKings lineup for MLS fantasy soccer action this week could be a difficult task with a full slate on the schedule but here are our recommendations for your lineup.
GK: Jaime Penedo, LA Galaxy
Salary: $5,600
The decision to rest Penedo for two matches was criticized by some but Bruce Arena looks like a genius for making the move now with his star goalkeeper back at full strength. He’s allowed just a single goal in his last three games. Penedo was outstanding a week ago when he made 10 saves to help the Galaxy blank the Sounders and he is a strong play again this week with Sporting Kansas City in town.
D: Jamison Olave, Real Salt Lake
Salary: $4,900
No defender put up better fantasy numbers than Olave did against Sporting Kansas City last week and the fact that he was able to contribute across the board without actually scoring or getting an assist is really impressive. Olave likely won’t find the score sheet this week either but with the struggling Vancouver Whitecaps in town, he should be in for another big performance as he continues to fill the other key categories.
D: Seb Hines, Orlando City SC
Salary: $3,400
Hines has been Orlando’s best defender early on this season and he should provide another decent stat line when they visit Columbus in a key Eastern Conference showdown this weekend. Hines finished among the top five fantasy defenders last week thanks in part to a clean sheet and he should be among the top 10 again this week.
M: Kaka, Orlando
Salary: $9,000
The strength of Orlando’s attack lies in the midfield where Kaka has shown off his world-class talent as a player that can create both for himself and his teammates. Columbus doesn’t represent a very tough matchup this weekend (just one win in five games), so look for Kaka to make a splash in the midfield.
M: Kevin Molino, Orlando
Salary: $5,600
Another strong option from the Orlando midfield makes sense here as they have looked very dangerous at the offensive end of the pitch and Molino has thrived next to Kaka. The difference in talent next to him has really helped Molino take his game to the next level and he should be in for another big performance this weekend.
F: David Villa, New York City FC
Salary: $9,000
The allure of a forward as dangerous as Villa becomes even more attractive with New York City set to host the struggling Timbers on Sunday. He has the chance to do some real damage at Yankee Stadium facing a team that’s given up seven goals already. Villa is among the more expensive options on the board but with Portland in town this weekend he should be worth the investment.
F: Lamar Neagle, Seattle
Salary: $4,900
The Sounders threw everything they had at the Galaxy last week but couldn’t find a way to solve Penedo in their 1-0 loss. Now they get a shot to bounce back when they visit Colorado and considering Neagle put up a top-five fantasy performance among forwards last week without managing to score a goal, he should be a stud this week if does finally find the back of the net.
FLEX: Perry Kitchen, DC United
Salary: $3,900
DC is back home to face Houston this week and that could mean another strong performance from last week’s leading fantasy scorer among midfielders. Kitchen scored both goals for DC United against the New York Red Bulls a week ago and even if he doesn’t manage another double, he should post a strong fantasy stat line as one of the key figures in the DC attack.
