RADIO
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off”! The top professional soccer leagues in the world are officially over or are ending this weekend and it leaves the MLS in its wake. The MLS articles will debut at the halfway mark of the season, which has been filled with a few surprises.
The top favorite this weekend is Orlando City SC -130 vs. Chicago Fire +310. I will guide you through this six-match slate starting at 7:30 PM EST.
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else, don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected], via Twitter @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
MLS DFS Goalies
Jonathan Sirois - DK $5.1K
Opponent - New York City FC
Coming in at a solid $5.1K, we have the fifth-most expensive keeper on the slate, Jonathan Sirois. Sirois will be by far the most targeted keeper thanks to his incredible run of form alongside his club’s overall run of form. In his last five appearances, he has 16 saves, two conceded goals, and four clean sheets! Yes, FOUR CLEAN SHEETS, and only one of them came on the road.
Montreal is currently perfect at home with five consecutive wins. NYFC is no slouch, however. As mentioned in previous articles, they lack a true #9. Until they get one, they pose little danger to opposing defenses.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Schulte (DK $5.7K), Callender (DK $4.9K)
MLS DFS Forwards
Federico Bernardeschi - DK $7.6K
Opponent - Real Salt Lake
Typically, these articles have not been shy to stack where we can on slates; however, this slate, in particular, is much different. The slate can play out in numerous ways with many potential pick'ems and not a single heavy favorite, besides perhaps Columbus Crew hosting the New York Red Bulls.
When this happens, it is much better to play ‘safe’, especially in ‘CASH’ contests as it provides a usable floor. This has us looking at Bernardeschi, who is currently in charge of the majority of set pieces for a new-look Toronto FC. Throughout his last five fixtures, he has 15 shots, nine created chances, 18 crosses, six corners, two tackles, two interceptions, and one clearance.
Real Salt Lake is the fourth-worst club in Goals Against Per 90 -- 1.5 -- and the ninth-worst in Big Chances Created Against Per 90 -- 1.45 --. Toronto is another club that lacks a true #9; however, they have a plethora of playmakers. At home against an inconsistent Real Salt Lake, they should be able to make due.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Hernandez (DK $9.4K), McGuire (DK $7.5K)
MLS DFS Midfielders
Daniel Edelman - DK $3.8K
Opponent - Columbus Crew
With news that now ex-teammate Cristian Casseres is leaving for FC Toulouse of Ligue One, Edelman becomes the biggest ‘lock’ of the slate. With no Casseres, John Tolkin or Frankie Amaya are expected to start, which leaves Edelman as the sole set-piece taker.
Over his last five matches -- four starts -- he has one goal, two shots, four created chances, three crosses, one corner, nine tackles, six interceptions, and three clearances. The Crew will not be an easy matchup at all for the young midfielder; however, his price point and potential solid floor are all too good to pass up.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Zelarayan (DK $10.1K), Pereyra (DK $6.7K)
MLS DFS Defenders
Rudy Camacho - DK $3.7K
Opponent - New York City FC
To go hand in hand with teammate Jonathan Sirois, we have center back/midfielder Rudy Camacho. Most recently, Camacho has been pushed into the midfield to act as a true box-to-box midfielder or holding midfielder depending on the need. This has helped his fantasy value skyrocket thanks to all of the additional tackles and interceptions he is making.
Not only does he get that, but he still gets a clean sheet bonus (if applicable) since he is still considered a defenseman. This sets his potential ceiling rather high for the lack of big-scoring defenders on the slate. NYFC was already mentioned once about their lack of offense and it remains true here.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Laryea (DK $4.6K), Arias (DK $4.2K)
Corner Takers
- FC Cincinnati: Barreal/Acosta
- New England Revolutions: Gil
- Columbus Crew: Zelaryan/Matan
- New York Red Bulls: Edelman
- Inter Miami CF: Taylor
- Austin FC: Fagundez/Rigoni
- CF Montreal: Choiniere/Duke
- New York City FC: Pellegrini/Pereira
- Orlando City SC: Pereyra
- Chicago Fire: Shaqiri
- Toronto FC: Bernardeschi
- Real Salt Lake: Ruiz/Savarino
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
