This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
7:00 p.m: Curacao v. Jamaica
9:30 p.m: Mexico v. El Salvador
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Jesus Corona, MEX v. ELS ($5,800): The chalk play of the day is Corona, as Mexico has outscored El Salvador 15-2 in their last five matches. Although Mexico is fielding a B squad, there should still be plenty enough quality for El Tri to win handily.
DEFENDER
Luis Rodriguez, MEX v. ELS ($5,400): Rodriguez plays right-back for Tigres in Liga MX, and his DraftKings game log looks solid. As a fullback for the top favorite in the slate, he becomes the top defender on the board.
Cuco Martina, CUW v. JAM ($4,700): Martina was recently released by Southampton, but he gets to showcase his talent for his country, Curacao, in the Gold Cup. He played as a right-back in the English Premier League, but he often plays as a center-back for Curacao. Watch out for this possibility. Otherwise, if he starts as a right-back, he surpasses Rodriguez as the top defender.
Je-Vaughn Watson, JAM v MEX ($3,500): Watson may start in the midfield for Jamaica on Sunday. He is a very versatile player who can start as a fullback, center defensive midfielder or even an attacking midfielder. There is a chance he plays as an attacking player on Sunday, and if this is the case, he makes for an incredible bargain.
MIDFIELDER
Elias Hernandez, MEX v. ELS ($9,600): Hernandez, who plays for Leon in Liga MX, was a consistent chalk option in Liga MX daily on DraftKings this past season. He takes all set pieces for Leon, but he has not started many matches for the national team, especially in this situation. There are no first-team players in the Mexico squad, so this is the time for Hernandez and others to make their case for the 2018 World Cup. Hernandez should be the talisman, and therefore he has a good shot at hitting value.
Orbelin Pineda, MEX v. ELS ($5,200): Pineda may start up top for El Tri. With the absence of regular starting forwards, Pineda is one of the players who may be given a chance to prove his worth. There will be plenty of chances to go around and as a forward, Pineda's chances should be close to goal.
Darwin Ceren, ELS v. MEX ($3,500): Ceren is really the only player worth considering on El Salvador. It should be a rather one-sided match, but sometimes there is still room for a cheap player to hit or exceed value. He plays his club football for the San Jose Earthquakes, where he has had a solid career in MLS. However, on El Salvador he assumes a much more important role as the playmaker and goalscorer of a very limited team.
FORWARD
Rodolfo Pizarro, MEX v. ELS ($7,800): Pizarro is another player who will likely line up as a member of the front four. There should be goals to go around, and his next goal would be his third in nine international caps.
Angel Sepulveda, MEX v. ELS ($7,600): Sepulveda scored his only international goal against El Salvador last year, and he will likely start and have a great chance to make it two in two. The Mexico attackers are somewhat of a role-of-the-dice due to their relatively low floors, but in a slate where points will be hard to come by, a goal could prove to be a big difference.
Darren Mattocks, JAM v MEX ($7,400): Mattocks plays a little more confidently when sporting the Jamaican kit. He has 12 goals in 23 international appearances, and some of those include offensive explosions when scored a hat trick and a couple braces. He is not getting too much of a run for the Portland Timbers, so leaving for international duty could prove to be a liberating experience.
