There’s only two matches on the docket this Wednesday as we head into the home stretch of the MLS Fantasy season. With the Colorado Rapids traveling to Vancouver to take on the Whitecaps and Sporting Kansas City heading to Portland to take on the Timbers, you might be tempted to load up on home talent as you craft your DraftKings lineup for the evening.
However, I don’t think any team is a clear favorite tonight and I actually like the road teams at a few key positions. Let’s get to the picks:
Goalkeeper
Obvious Pick:David Ousted ($5,300). The Vancouver goalkeeper continues to excel, posting three clean sheets in the past five matches, and hosts a Colorado team that has struggled offensively at times this season.
Sleeper Pick:Clint Irwin ($4,300). Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni has been instilling a steely mindset into the team and I can definitely see them frustrating the Whitecaps for 90 minutes. With saves worth 2 points each, he could also mop up some big numbers in a loss or draw.
Defenders
Obvious Pick:Alvas Powell ($5,200). He’s the marauding full back the DraftKings game loves. Games at Providence Park are typically tightly contested, back-and-forth matches, meaning Powell could find himself with some chances in front of the SKC net.
Budget Pick:Pa Modou Kah ($3,900). Central defenders aren’t normally a prized commodity in DraftKings because there aren’t any rewards for ball recoveries or clearances, blocks and interceptions. But if Kah is healthy, he has the potential to get forward for a goal or record a clean sheet, he offers a great value at the price point.
Midfielders
Obvious Pick:Benny Feilhaber ($9,000). He’ll be rested and ready after a week-and-a-half off and should be ready to wreak havoc. Portland’s Diego Valeri ($9,800), of course, also makes a strong play.
Sleeper pick:Dillon Serna ($4,600). The midfielder has been averaging a very respectable 10 fantasy points per game, which would be well worth his price tag. Be sure to check before kickoff to see if he’s in the starting lineup, though.
Forwards
Obvious Pick: Dom Dwyer ($9,400). A physical, energetic forward, Dwyer is averaging 13.9 points per game. This is the second-most of any forward available and the Englishman scored 23 points in his last game.
Sleeper Pick: Vicente Sanchez ($6,300). The 35-year-old has been rounding into form for a Rapids team that has won three consecutive games. The Uruguayan rarely goes the full 90 anymore, but he’s provided a goal and two assists in Colorado’s last two matches.
Those are some ideas to get you started. For me, though, this round is all about waiting for the lineups to come out. I’ll be setting an alarm for 15 minutes before the Vancouver match kicks off and at viewing the lineups for both matches before I make my acquisitions.
With international call-ups and matches looming over the weekends, I think we could see some surprises in the starting XIs. Adding budget starters at the last moment can be the key to fitting all the stars into your lineup.
Any thoughts about tonight’s matches? Which teams are you backing for a strong performance? Let us know in the comments below.
