RADIO
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off”! The top professional soccer leagues in the world are officially over or are ending this weekend and it leaves the MLS in its wake. The MLS articles will debut at the halfway mark of the season which has been filled with a few surprises.
The top favorite this weekend is Philadelphia -220 vs CF Montreal +500. I will guide you through this five-match slate locking on Saturday June 3rd, 20223 at 7:30 PM EST.
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else, don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected] or via Twitter @df_solutions or in our Discord chat rooms.
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MLS DFS Goalies
Andre Blake - DK $5.2K
Opponent - CF Montreal
There are more than a few solid goalkeeping options on the main slate this weekend, however, Blake takes the cake. Montreal is the eighth-worst in Goals For Per 90 (1), however, they are the worst in Shots For Per 90 (9.8). This puts more weight on Blake getting a clean sheet than typical, as his floor will be low considering the lack of shots he will face.
Nevertheless, Blake is tied for the fourth-most clean sheets in the MLS to date (5). With Philadelphia playing much better defensively lately it would be rather surprising to see them concede against a lackluster Montreal side.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Schulte (DK $5.7K), Gallese (DK $4.2K)
MLS DFS Forwards
Brandon Vazquez - DK $7.8K
Opponent - Chicago Fire
Many will most likely attempt to fit in Cucho Hernandez of the Columbus Crew, however, the better spot to attack is Brandon Vazquez at a much more affordable salary. The newly American-converted striker has been less than desirable so far this season with just 4 four goals and an assist in 15 appearances.
However, he is starting to gain some momentum. Through his last five fixtures, he has two goals, 12 shots, three created chances, and 5 tackles. Chicago Fire is in the bottom 10 in Goals Against Per 90 (1.53), Shots Against Per 90 (13.33), Big Chances Created Against Per 90(1.6), In-the-Box Goals Against Per 90 (1.33), and In-the-Box Shots Against Per 90 (9.2).
For his salary this weekend and this type of matchup, it is very hard to pass with other areas of the roster to spend up at.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Hernandez (DK $11.2K), Carranza (DK $9.4K)
MLS DFS Midfielders
Lucas Zelarayan - DK 9.7K
Opponent - Charlotte FC
In an ideal situation, at least in ‘CASH’ contests, one would fit both Zelarayan and Lucho Acosta in the lineup, however, if you had to select just one, Zelarayan is the man. He is the heartbeat of Columbus and in just 13 matches this season, the midfielder has seven goals and five assists. In the league, he is the ninth-best in Key Passes (32), seventh-best in Shot-Creating Actions Per 90 (5.43), and eighth-best in Non-Penalty Goals + Assists Per 90 (0.83). Charlotte is struggling defensively and they are the seventh-worst in Goals Against Per 90 (1.5) and they are the third-worst in Big Chances Created Against Per 90 (1.88). With someone like Zelarayan in the fold, he will prove to be a massive headache for Charlotte’s backline this weekend.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Acosta (DK $10K), Pereyra (DK $5.1K)
MLS DFS Defensemen
Kai Wagner - DK $7.9K
Opponent - Philadelphia Union
What ultimately makes this slate interesting is what one does at defense. Wagner is the ‘no-brainer’ play for many reasons, followed by John Tolkin of the New York Red Bulls. After Tolkin it is a crap shoot.
Wagner is the driving force of Philadelphia and in his last five appearances, he has one goal, three shots, 10 created chances, 51 crosses, 29 corners, five tackles, eight interceptions, three clearances, and five blocks. Furthermore, bench boss Jim Curtain has elected to move to a 3-5-2 formation which further boosts Wagner’s value.
As the sole set-piece taker of Philadelphia, he becomes a hard-to-pass-on situation, forcing some big choices to be made when building rosters this weekend.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Tolkin (DK $6.3K), Pines (DK $3.7K)
Corner Takers
- FC Cincinnati: Acosta
- Chicago Fire: Shaqiri
- Columbus Crew: Zelarayan
- Charlotte FC: Swiderski/Westwood
- Inter Miami: Mota/Taylor
- D.C. United: Klich
- New York Red Bulls: Tolkin
- Orlando: Pereyra
- Philadelphia: Wagner
- CF Montreal: Choiniere/Lassiter/Duke
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
