MLS DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (6/21/23) - Major League Soccer Matchweek 19

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 midweek is FC Cincinnati -180 vs Toronto FC +440. I will guide you through this five-match slate locking on Wednesday, June, 21, 20223 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] or via Twitter @df_solutions or in our Discord chat rooms.

MLS DFS Goalies

Brad Guzan - DK $5.3K

Opponent - New York City FC

Keeper is not the friendliest of positions to pick from at midweek, however, Guzan should do. The keeper has made 18 saves, conceded 6 goals and recorded 1 clean sheet in his last five appearances and now he gets a suitable matchup against the goalless NYFC. The visitors are in the bottom half of the league in most stats, notably the bottom ten in Goals For Per 90, In-the-Box Shots Per 90 and In-the-Box Goals For Per 90. They are also tied for the worst away record on the slate with a 0-2-3 record and 7 conceded goals in that time frame. You can’t find a much better keeper to run.                                     

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Willis (DK $4.8K), Bendik (DK $4.6K)

MLS DFS Forwards

Ethan Zubak - DK $3.5K

Opponent - CF Montreal

Thanks to the plethora of fixtures again and the added Gold Cup and International Break, many MLS clubs are rotating lineups. With squad rotation, comes very favorable pricing. Zubak is miles away from being anywhere near the top of lists in the MLS, however, he has a very favorable matchup. Montreal is bottom 10 in Shots Against Per 90, Created Chances Against Per 90, In-the-Box Shots Against Per 90 and Goals Against Per 90. Many will argue that despite these numbers, they have a perfect record in their last five away fixtures. They are not wrong, but what they don’t include is the strength of the opponent. Those fixtures included Orlando, NYRB and more who already struggle to score. Running against a Nashville side that is in the top ten in Big Chances Created Per 90, Big Chances Scored Per 90 and Goals For Per 90 is not the spot to continue their perfect record. In Zubak’s last five fixtures – 74 minutes –, he has 2 shots, 2 created chances and 2 tackles.                                                       

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Badji (DK $6.3K), Berry (DK $3.7K)

MLS DFS Midfielders

Cristian Casseres Jr. - DK $8.2K

Opponent - Charlotte FC

The obvious plays at midfield for midweek are Hany Mukhtar and Lucha Acosta. However, we will look at someone a bit more cost-effective depending on your approach to lineup building. Teammate and defender John Tolkin is currently on leave with the United States Men's National Team for the Gold Cup, leaving Casseres in charge of all set-pieces compared to them normally splitting the role. Charlotte is the second-worst in Big Chances Created Against Per 90 – 1.89 –, third-worst in In-the-Box Goals Against Per 90 – 1.44 – and the worst in Goals Against Per 90 – 1.72 –. In his last five appearances – 4 starts –, he has 1 assist, 5 shots, 7 created chances, 15 crosses, 7 corners, 12 tackles, 5 interceptions and 2 clearances. If stacking up at defense is the approach which it may end up being at least in ‘CASH’ contests, Casseres is the perfect value option to relieve salary at midfield.                                     

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Mukhtar (DK $11K), Acosta (DK $10.4K)

MLS DFS Defenders

Brooks Lennon - DK $6.4K

Opponent - New York City FC

Teammate and goalie, Brad Guzan was already highlighted to start the article, so the lackluster offense of NYFC is not much of a focus here. Although, Lennon’s potential ceiling is. Lennon is expected to slide into RW in the midweek matchup against NYFC with multiple players out of the lineup for Atlanta United. Lennon will also be in charge of all set-pieces with Thiago Almada expected to be out following his return from International Break. In Lennon’s last five matches, he has 2 assists, 3 shots, 8 created chances, 23 crosses, 12 corners, 5 tackles, 4 interceptions and 9 clearances. NYFC is not the worst defensive team, although, they are tied for the worst away record in the last five matches on the slate as previously mentioned and they have been outscored 3 to 7 in that window. With many focusing on Kai Wagner of Philadelphia off the bat, Lennon is a great pay-down option if you only take one of the two.                             

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Wagner (DK $7.9K), Bauer (DK $2.6K)

Corner Takers

• Atlanta United: Lennon
• New York City FC: Rodriguez
• FC Cincinnati: Barreal/Acosta
• Toronto FC: Bernardeschi/Insigne
• CF Montreal: Choiniere/Duke
• Nashville SC: Mukhtar/Lovitz
• New York Red Bulls: Casseres Jr.
• Charlotte FC: Vargas/Westwood
• Orlando SC: Pereyra

Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!

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