This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
7:00 p.m: Atlanta United v. Colorado Rapids
7:00 p.m: Philadelphia Union v. D.C. United
7:30 p.m: Columbus Crew v. Montreal Impact
8:00 p.m: Minnesota United v. Vancouver Whitecaps
8:30 p.m: Chicago Fire v. Orlando City
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Bobby Shuttleworth, MIN v. VAN ($4,900): The Minnesota defense has really struggled this season, allowing 36 goals in just 16 games. However, they've been better of late, and Shuttleworth has made 25 saves in his last four games. With the Vancouver attack unlikely to score a plethora of goals, Shuttleworth is certainly in line for the win even if he can't post the clean sheet.
DEFENDER
Tyrone Mears, ATL v. COL ($3,900):Greg Garza has the higher upside among the Atlanta fullbacks, but paying $5,000 makes it very hard to spend up in the attack as much as we need to. Mears played a full 90 minutes Wednesday at D.C. United, so he's no guarantee to start again. Nevertheless, he makes for a decent option against a Colorado attack that isn't so strong that Mears won't be able to move up in the attack. He's sent in 14 crosses in the last three games, but in all honesty it's his low salary for a full-back that is his most attractive fantasy attribute. Mark Bloom ($3,600) fits the same mold if he starts, though he doesn't move up quite as much.
Marlon Hairston, COL v. ATL ($3,600): Hairston is always comfortable moving up in the attack, which isn't surprising given that he's actually a midfielder. His upside isn't overly high, though neither is his price, so he won't have to do too much to make value.
Chris Odoi-Atsem, DCU at PHI ($2,500): If you're really looking for a flyer to save some money, Odoi-Astem may be just the solution. The 12th overall pick in this year's draft went 90 minutes at right-back against Orlando City on May 31, and with D.C. United playing their second match in four days, a little squad rotation could get him back in the XI to help fantasy owners with significant salary relief.
MIDFIELDER
Haris Medunjanin, PHI v. DCU ($6,600): Medunjanin's price continues to rise, as he's managed double-digit fantasy points in five of the last six games, including each of the last four. However, it's far from a prohibitive tier and he'll now face a D.C. United team that has allowed 24 goals in 16 matches, including 13 in seven away matches. As the designated set-piece taker for a solidly favored team, Medunjanin is an easy play.
Ibson, MIN v. VAN ($4,700):Ibson's upside isn't that high, but he's been a consistent fantasy producer by contributing to multiple peripheral categories. He's only taken three shots in his last five games, but he's sent in 15 crosses, drawn 16 fouls and won 18 tackles, scoring at least 10 fantasy points in four of those matches. The Loons have been a sieve defensively this season, but Ibson's been able to be a productive fantasy option and will now play a Whitecaps side that hasn't played an away match since May 12. If you listened to this week's fantasy MLS podcast with JD Bazzo and Schuyler Redpath you'd be tempted after they discussed the cheap salaries of Josh Gatt ($3,000) and Dillon Serna ($3,000), but both players feel too much like a punt for me, at least in cash games.
Montreal and Columbus Midfielders
Both teams have shown their abilities to score goals this season, with Montreal coming off an exciting 3-3 draw at Orlando City last weekend. The Crew won the first matchup between those two teams 3-2 in Montreal back on May 13, and with the attackers in this game, we could see five goals again. Unfortunately, you're left with big decisions, as each of Federico Higuain ($7,800), Justin Meram ($7,700), Ignacio Piatti ($8,600) and Blerim Dzemaili ($8,200) are all capable of putting up big games while also providing fairly safe floors. Meram is probably the riskiest of the group, but he's also the only one with a hat trick this year. If there is one big positive for Piatti it's that he qualifies as a forward now, making him one of the better floor players at the position. Nevertheless, I always tend to side with set piece takers, which leaves Dzemaili, who has scored at least 16 fantasy points in each of his four MLS matches (including three games with at least 20) and Higuain, who comes in with a goal in three consecutive games.
FORWARD
Josef Martinez, ATL v. COL ($8,500):Miguel Almiron ($9,200) is the safer choice, though he's hardly been a great fantasy option when he doesn't score a goal. Martinez is just as goal dependent, but he also seems to score every time he starts. He continues to work his way back from injury, and after coming off the bench Wednesday seems primed to start against a Colorado defense that has allowed 12 goals in six away matches, losing all of them.
Nemanja Nikolic, CHI v. ORL ($8,300): It seems odd to focus on two goal-dependent forwards after DraftKings changed a number of midfielders to have dual midfielder/forward eligibility, but it's tough to ignore their respective upsides. Nikolic comes in with nine goals in his last nine games, including six in his last four at home, and now faces an Orlando defense that has allowed seven in their last three across all competitions and is playing their second match in four days.
