Both the Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire need victories to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, and it’s often said that a team with nothing to lose is the most dangerous. We’ll see if that holds true when our two midweek MLS matches kick off tonight.
From a fantasy perspective, you’ll have the advantage of being able to see both sets of starting XIs before the rosters for the season-long game and DraftKings lock. As always, it’s worth setting an alert at around 7:45 pm ET to make sure you’ve got the right players in your lineups.
On to the picks!
Goalkeepers
Obvious Pick: Jon Kempin ($4,700) or Tim Melia ($4,500). Coming into the season, the Houston Dynamo were supposed to ride the offensive contributions of Giles Barnes and Cubo Torres. Here we are in September; Torres hasn’t scored since joining Houston, and Barnes hasn’t hit the net in MLS play since May. Whichever SKC goalkeeper gets the start should be your pick in net.
Sleeper Pick: Jon Busch ($4,300). Tuesday brought the news that Sean Johnson would be taking the rest of the season off after injuring his shoulder, elevating Busch into the starting role. He may be a good bet against an Impact team that’s commencing its second straight DGW.
Defenders
Obvious Picks: Following along from my goalkeeper recommendation, I like SKC defenders to gobble up the twin +5 point bonuses for a win and a clean sheet. I recommend any combination of Chance Myers ($3,900), Kevin Ellis ($3,700), Matt Besler ($4,100), or Seth Sinovic ($3,300). SKC defenders don’t pump in crosses as often as you might like, so maybe a gamble on a goal-dangerous central defender like Ellis or Besler is an option here.
Sleeper Picks: Looking at the defenders on offer, I started to talk myself into Chicago’s chances to beat Montreal. Joevin Jones ($4,900) is the best of the attacking bunch in my mind, and Jeff Larentowicz ($4,500) pops up for a PK goal every once in a while. You may not get a clean sheet, but there could be a goal or an assist in there for you.
Midfielders
Obvious Pick: Well, it’s tough to do better than the reigning MLS Player of the Week. Two goals and a handful of shots and crosses helped Benny Feilhaber ($9,500) post 33 DraftKings points last weekend and I’d imagine that he’s going to anchor most lineups tonight. With Houston’s defensive midfielder Luis Garrido set to miss out due to yellow-card accumulation, Benny should find some room to roam.
Budget Pick: Montreal’s Justin Mapp ($4,500) has been battling a toe injury, but Marco Donadel’s red card and subsequent suspension could open some room in the Impact midfield. If Mapp starts, he’s a great value play.
Forwards
Obvious Pick: Didier Drogba ($9,700) is at it again for the Impact. A goal and an assist propelled the former Ivory Coast striker to 24 DraftKings points over the weekend against New England. If the 37-year-old striker is fit to go on Wednesday night, he’s a solid pick to do some damage against a suspect Chicago back line.
Budget Pick(s): Look no further than David Accam ($7,700). The designated player has come alive, averaging 16 DraftKings points over his past four appearances. A prolific shooter and crosser of the ball, Accam offers a very high fantasy floor at a reasonable salary.
So there you have it. I sense we might see at least one surprising result due to the playoff implications, so don’t expect both favorites Montreal and SKC to run away with their games. Just don’t ask me which of the two favorites will be the one to slip up.
