Fantasy MLS: Sunday Cheat Sheet

MATCHES (EDT)

4:00 p.m: Portland Timbers v. Sporting KC
7:00 p.m: Orlando City v. Seattle Sounders
9:30 p.m: Los Angeles Galaxy v. New York Red Bulls

ODDS REPORT

EXPECTED CORNER TAKERS

Portland Timbers: Diego Valeri
Sporting KC: Graham Zusi, Benny Feilhaber
Orlando City: Kaka
Seattle Sounders: Andreas Ivanschitz, Nicolas Lodeiro, Erik Friberg
Los Angeles Galaxy: Steven Gerrard
New York Red Bulls: Sacha Kljestan

PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS

GOALKEEPER

Brian Rowe, LAG v. NYR: You can make a case for or against pretty much any goalkeeper on the slate, but Rowe is the heaviest favorite and I'm not as confident in the Red Bulls' attack without Dax McCarty. Yes, he's a defensive midfielder, but he does so much defensively that if Sacha Kljestan has to focus more on slowing the Galaxy than attacking them, that only makes Rowe's job easier. There are enough value plays on the slate that paying up at goalkeeper should be okay.

DEFENDER

Vytautas Andriuskevicius, POR v. SKC: The Timbers have really struggled getting consistent production from their leftback spot, and with Zarek Valentin out injured, Andriuskevicius could get the start. He had a solid three tackles won, one foul drawn, one cross and one interception in just 21 minutes last week at Sporting KC, and that level of production would be quite welcome over a full 90 minutes.

Seth Sinovic, SKC at POR: With Jimmy Medranda suspended, Sinovic has an opportunity to grab a rare start. Sinovic's upside isn't nearly as high as Medranda's, but he's fairly cheap and certainly capable of contributing across multiple categories.

Brek Shea, ORL v. SEA: Shea continues to be listed as a defender, but new manager Jason Kreis has made it clear that he views Shea as an attacking winger, which is certainly encouraging for his fantasy prospects. He scored 13 points on DraftKings in just 45 minutes last weekend, and he'll be a solid contributor in the attack against a Sounders team that looks lost.

MIDFIELDER

Nicolas Lodeiro, SEA at ORL: Lodeiro was excellent in his Sounders debut, finishing with six crosses, five fouls drawn, four shots (two on goal) and one tackle in 90 minutes. The Sounders' attack has been really stagnant this season, but Lodeiro could be the piece that finally allows them to break out, especially against an Orlando City defense that has allowed 11 goals in their last six games, including five in their last three. With a sub-$4K price on DraftKings, Lodeiro provides plenty of upside.

Diego Valeri, POR v. SKC: Fading Valeri is like fading Sebastian Giovinco, as you'll spend up for both but they pay off more often than not. Making things even better, Giovinco played Saturday, so there's no issue in trying to fit both of them in. Valeri will be on top of all set pieces and be heavily involved in the attack, giving him a solid floor and nearly unmatched ceiling.

Kevin Molino, ORL v. SEA: If you subscribe to the theory that Sacha Kljestan may have to do more defending than attacking Sunday, then Kaka is the other high-priced midfielder to consider after Valeri. However, Molino's recent form makes him possibly more attractive, given that he's more likely to score a goal than the Brazilian legend, at least as long as it's not a penalty. Molino has scored three goals on eight shots (four on target) in his last two games, and while the defenses he's punished (Columbus and New England) are far from elite, the Sounders have allowed seven goals in their last three MLS matches and have to travel cross-country for this fixture.

Steven Gerrard, LAG v. SKC: The Galaxy have a number of attackers who could score goals, but Gerrard has a solid foundation as their set-piece taker. The former Liverpool man has a goal and four assists in his last five games, and he provides nice exposure to Los Angeles' attack while maintaining a good floor.

FORWARD

Clye Larin, ORL v. SEA: Molino isn't the only Orlando City attacker who's playing well of late, as Larin has found the back of the net in three consecutive games, taking 12 shots and drawing 11 fouls over that span.

Fanendo Adi, POR v. SKC: Adi has just two goals in his last 10 games, but he's still taking enough shots and drawing enough fouls to make him a breakout candidate. With Larin's recent play and the solid matchup for Robbie Keane, Adi could be a solid differential who could pay big dividends.

Jacob Peterson, SKC at LAG: Sporting KC have a number of reasonable attacking players, though you'll probably list at last three before thinking of Peterson. That being said, he has a goal in back-to-back games while taking five shots (three on goal) and winning four tackles over that span. His biggest plus is the salary savings, which certainly doesn't make him the sexiest of picks.