There may be an international break this week, but MLS rolls on in reduced form, with three games. This round kicks off with a Wednesday night doubleheader featuring a couple of intriguing matches: the New York Red Bulls playing host to the playoff-chasing Montreal Impact (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE in US, TVA Sports in Canada) and red-hot FC Dallas visiting the Vancouver Whitecaps (10 pm ET, TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US).
DraftKings will be hosting a handful of contests this Wednesday night, including a San Jose Earthquakes VIP Experience – be sure to get your lineups in before the first match starts at 7:30pm ET.
Goalkeepers:
Obvious Pick: A team coming into New York and posting a shutout? What is this, the MLB playoffs?
Since I don’t see that happening, I’m backing Luis Robles ($5,300) at home against the busy Montreal Impact. The Impact are embarking on their eighth match since Sept. 5, and even if Ignacio Piatti plays, Montreal will be missing a handful of players on international duty, including Johan Venegas. Robles is your best bet to come away with a shutout.
Budget Pick: Jesse Gonzalez ($4,400) has been featured in quite a few picks articles lately, with good reason: He’s been a revelation in net for an FC Dallas team who have a real shot at the Supporters’ Shield. Tonight, Gonzalez takes on a Vancouver team that’s only netted twice in their past four games across all competitions. He might be worth a play in net.
Defenders:
Obvious pick: To be honest, no one’s really jumping out at me in the defender pool. The best bet, of course, is Michel ($3,700), but it's difficult to predict if he will start. Looking past the FC Dallas set-piece wizard, I’d pick a Red Bulls defender who has a decent shot to record a shutout. The one that provides the most offensive upside is Connor Lade ($4,300): two crosses and an assist saw the diminutive outside back post 10 DraftKings points last weekend.
Midfielders:
Obvious pick: Fabián Castillomay be off with the Colombian national team for World Cup qualifiers, but FC Dallas midfield maestro Mauro DÃaz ($9,000) should be ready to go on three days’ rest. With the FCD offense coming off of a four-goal performance in a rivalry match against Houston, there’s a good chance they can keep that momentum going against the Whitecaps.
Sleeper pick: You never quite know what you’re going to get with Cristian Techera ($7,800). He scored a goal in his last outing against San Jose and is only a few weeks removed from a 26-point performance against Colorado. If the Whitecaps break out of their offensive funk against against FC Dallas, there’s a good chance Techera will be in the middle of it.
Forwards:
Obvious pick: Sebastian Giovinco and Kei Kamara have grabbed a lot of the headlines this season, but Bradley Wright-Phillips ($12,100) (15 G, 7 A) has quietly put together another excellent season. Against a fatigued Montreal back line, expect Wright-Phillips to stalk the six-yard area and maybe poke a couple home.
Sleeper pick: The speed ofDominic Oduro ($7,800) could be a strong point against a Red Bulls back line missing its best athlete in Matt Miazga. French veterans Ronald Zubar and Damien Perrinelle are expected to fill in, but Oduro may be the fastest player in the league. If he gets behind the back line, look out.
Which of the four teams has the best chance to post a shutout? Are there any players that you’re targeting or staying away from? Let us know in the comments below.
