MLS Opening Day Rundown

The MLS season kicks off this Saturday with six matches on tap.  I will be providing (as much as possible) predictions as well as some DraftKings information to get you ready for kick off.  The main slate on DraftKings includes the games from 7:00 on, so I will include position by position picks for the slate.
Note: If you play DraftKings, remember to check lineups as they come out around an hour before kickoff.

This season we have another new franchise in LAFC, which will provide some intrigue.  They do not open the season on Saturday, so I will touch on the expansion club in another article.  Before we dive into the games, here are the odds on the MLS Cup Winner for the 2018 season.

MLS Cup Winner Odds

Toronto FC +350

Atlanta United +800

Seattle Sounders +800

Portland Timbers +900

New York City FC +1000

FC Dallas +1600

LA Galaxy +1600

Houston Dynamo +2000

NY Red Bulls +2000

Chicago Fire +2500

Montreal Impact +2500

Sporting Kansas City +2500

Orlando City +3300

Vancouver Whitecaps +3300

Los Angeles FC +4000

Colorado Rapids +5000

Real Salt Lake +5000

San Jose Earthquakes +5000

DC United +6600

Minnesota United +6600

New England Revolution +6600

Philadelphia Union +6600

As you can see, defending champions Toronto FC are the favorite to repeat and rightfully so.  I personally am a supporter of the Philadelphia Union and am fully prepared to go through a long season that could very well end in a bottom of the table finish.  Without further ado, lets get started with the match previews of Saturday's Opening Day.

1:30 Columbus Crew @ Toronto FC

CLB +335, Toronto -143, Draw +290

Columbus Crew

Columbus emerged from the Knockout Round as the 5 seed and advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Championship last season.  They have the revenge narrative as they were ousted by this Toronto FC team.  This Columbus team is vastly different from last year's team, but they have picked up right where they left off in the preseason tune-up matches.  I'm not sure if Gyasi Zardes is going to provide the same level of production that Ola Kamara produced, but he is a solid replacement.  One player to look out for is young left back Milton Valenzuela.  At only 19, he shows some of the greatest potential among young Designated Players.

Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): GK Steffen, LB Valenzuela, CB Mensch, CB Abubakar, RB Afful, DM Trapp, CM Artur, LAM Martinez, CAM Higuain, RAM Santos, ST Zardes   

Toronto FC

Toronto FC come into this season as the favorite after winning the MLS Cup in 2017.  The scary thing about this team is that they didn't have any major losses in the offseason.  Even though Giovinco didn't have the production he's had at the club, the team still thrived.  If Giovinco can return to his prior form and the rest of the team keeps clicking, look out.  

Projected Lineup (4-1-2-1-2): GK Bono, LB Morrow, CB Mavinga, CB Moor, RB Auro, DM Bradley, CM Osorio, CM Delgado, CAM Vazquez, ST Giovinco, ST Altidore

Prediction: Toronto FC 3-1

3:30 Atlanta United @ Houston Dynamo

ATL +245, HOU +100, Draw +255

Atlanta United

Atlanta United posted an impressive first season in the MLS.  I think this season will be a bit of a regression to the mean as Josef Martinez won't convert at such a high rate as last season.  They do add in Darlington Nagbe which makes the midfield look a lot different in replacing defensive-minded Carlos Carmona.  

Projected Lineup (4-2-1-3): GK Guzan, LB Garza, CB Gonzalez Pirez, CB Parkhurst, RB Escobar, CM Larentowicz, CM Nagbe, CAM Almiron, LW Gressel, ST Martinez, RW Villalba

Houston Dynamo

Houston was another surprise team last year that overachieved.  Finishing 4th in the Western Conference and then making the Western Conference Championship is a major accomplishment for a team who had far less talent than some of the major contenders.  I could see this team falling down to Earth a little this season.  Tomas Martinez is suspended for this match.

Projected Lineup (4-2-1-3): GK Seitz, LB Beasley, CB Senderos, CB Machado, RB Garcia, DM Cabezas, CM Alexander, CAM Boniek, LW Quioto, ST Manotas, RW Elis

Prediction: Draw 1-1

Now onto our main slate of matches.  I will provided projected lineups and predictions for each individual game, then I will go position by position breaking down who you should consider on your DraftKings lineup.

7:00 New England Revolution @ Philadelphia Union

NE +245, PHI +100, Draw +255

Prediction: Philadelphia 2-0

7:30 D.C. United @ Orlando City

DC +290, ORL -118, Draw +260

Prediction: Orlando City 3-2

8:00 Real Salt Lake @ FC Dallas

RSL +300, FCD -125, Draw +265

Prediction: Draw 2-2

10:30 Minnesota United @ San Jose Earthquakes

MIN +400, SJ -167, Draw +300

Prediction: San Jose 3-1

DraftKings Breakdown

Team Notes and Injuries

NE

-Lee Nguyen questionable as he has fitness issues coming to camp three-and-half weeks late following a preseason request to be traded

-Finished 2017 with an 1-13-3 road record with 46 goals conceded

PHI

-Ilsinho (Hamstring) - Questionable
-Fabrice-Jean Picault (Suspension) - Out first three matches

-Have won 10 of last 13 matches at home

-CJ Sapong has 4 goals in the last 4 games against NE

DC

-Luciano Acosta (Suspended) - Out

-Russell Canouse (Knee Sprain) - Out

-Taylor Kemp (Sports Hernia Surgery) - Out

-Darren Mattocks (Calf) - Questionable

-Set to acquire LB Joseph Mora, not sure if he will be ready and at the club in time for Saturday

ORL

-Sacha Kljestan (Suspended first two games) - Out

-Uri Rosell (Fitness) - Out

-Dillon Powers (Ankle) - Out

-Josue Colman (Thigh Bruise) - Out

-Dom Dwyer (Quad Strain) - Out

RSL

-Tony Beltran (Right Knee Surgery) - Out

-Team won eight games from July 4th until the end of the season, good enough for 4th in the league in that time frame

-Albert Rusnak had 14 assists in 2017, most of any RSL player since 2010

FCD

-Kellyn Acosta (Sports Hernia Surgery) - Out two months

-Team went 2-7-6 after July 25th and missed the playoffs

-Coming off CONCACAF Champions League aggregate defeat against Tauro despite 3-2 home win in second leg

SJ

-Won against Minnesota United 3-2 last year on the last day of the season to make the playoffs

-Chris Wondolowski enters the season 11 goals back of Landon Donovan's all-time MLS record (145)

-Team lost only two league home games last season

MIN
-Allowed league-worst 70 goals last season
-Christian Ramirez and Abu Danladi combined to score 22 goals last season
-Marc Bunch (Ankle) - Out
-Harrison Heath (Knee) - Out
-Gave up 44 road goals in MLS play last season and failed to keep a road clean sheet
-Gave up multiple goals in all but two away MLS matches

Depth Charts

Note: Projected Starter in Bold

New England Revolution

GK: Cody Cropper, Brad Knighton, Matt Turner

LB: Gabriel Somi, Chris Tierney

CB: Claude Dielna, Antonio Mlinar Delamea, Jalil Anibaba, Nicolas Samayoa

RB: Andrew Farrell, Brandon Bye, Mark Segbers

DM: Scott Caldwell, Zachary Herivaux

CM: Wilfried Zahibo, Kelyn Rowe, Isaac Angking

LW: Krisztian Nemeth, Diego Fagundez, Cristian Penilla

CAM: Kelyn Rowe, Diego Fagundez, Lee Nguyen*

RW: Cristian Penilla, Teal Bunbuy, Kelyn Rowe, Femi Hollinger-Janzen
ST: Diego Fagundez

Philadelphia Union

GK: Andre Blake, John McCarthy, Jake McGuire

LB: Fabinho, Matt Real

CB: Auston Trusty, Jack Elliott, Richie Marquez, Josh Yaro, Mark McKenzie

RB: Keegan Rosenberry, Raymon Gaddis

DM: Haris Medunjanin, Derrick Jones

CM: Alejandro Bedoya, Warren Creavalle

LW: David Accam, Eric Ayuk

CAM: Borek Dockal, Anthony Fontana, Adam Najem, Ilsinho*

RW:, Fabian Herbers, Marcus Epps, Fabrice-Jean Picault*

ST: C.J. Sapong, Jay Simpson, Cory Burke

DC United

GK: David Ousted, Steve Clark, Travis Worra

LB:, Oniel Fisher, Taylor Kemp*

CB: Steve Birnbaum, Frederic Brillant, Jalen Robinson, Kofi Opare

RB: Nick DeLeon, Chris Odoi-Atsem, Oniel Fisher

DM: Junior Moreno, Russell Canouse, Chris Durkin

CM: Zoltan Stieber, Ulises Segura, Ian Harkes, Jared Jeffrey

LW: Yamil Asad, Zoltan Stieber

CAM: Ulises Segura, Zoltan Stieber, Luciano Acosta*

RW: Paul Arriola, Ulises Segura, Bruno Miranda

ST: Darren Mattocks, Patrick Mullins, Bruno Miranda

Orlando City

GK: Joe Bendik, Earl Edwards Jr., Adam Grinwis

LB: Donny Toia, Mohamed El-Munir

CB: Jonathan Spector, Lamine Sane, Amro Tarek

RB: Scott Sutter, RJ Allen

DM: Oriol Rosell, Cristian Higuita, Richie Laryea, Tony Rocha

CM: Yoshi Yotun, Will Johnson, Dillon Powers, Cam Lindley

LW: Justin Meram, Pierre da Silva

CAM: Sacha Kljestan, Chris Mueller, Josue Colman

RW: Josue Colman, Jose Villarreal

ST:, Stefano Pinho, Dom Dwyer*

Real Salt Lake

GK: Nick Rimando, Alex Horwath, Connor Sparrow

LB: Demar Phillips, Danny Acosta

CB: Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, Shawn Berry, David Horst, Taylor Peay

RB: Adam Henley, Aaron Herrera, Tony Beltran

DM: Kyle Beckerman, Sunny, Nick Besler

CM: Damir Kreilach, Luke Mulholland, Sunny, Pablo Ruiz

LW: Joao Plata, Sebastian Saucedo

CAM: Albert Rusnak, Jose Hernandez

RW: Jefferson Savarino, Brooks Lennon, Jordan Allen

ST: Luis Silva, Alfredo Ortuno, Yura Movsisyan, Corey Baird

FC Dallas

GK: Jesse Gonzalez, Jimmy Maurer, Kyle Zobeck

LB: Anton Nedyalkov, Ryan Hollingshead, Maynor Figueroa

CB: Reto Ziegler, Matt Hedges, Maynor Figueroa, Jordan Cano

RB: Reggie Cannon, Kris Reaves

DM: Carlos Gruezo, Victor Ulloa, Jacori Hayes

CM: Kellyn Acosta, Victor Ulloa, Jacori Hayes, Brandon Servania

LW: Santiago Mosquera, Roland Lamah, Paxton Pomykal, Ryan Hollingshead, Francis Atuahene

CAM: Mauro Diaz, Paxton Pomykal, Adonijah Reid

RW: Michael Barrios, Tesho Akindele, Ema Twumasi

ST: Maxi Urruti, Cristian Colman, Jesus Ferreira, Bryan Reynolds

San Jose Earthquakes

GK: Andrew Tarbell, Matt Bersano, JT Marcinkowski

LB: Shea Salinas, Joel Qwiberg

CB: Yeferson Quintana, Harold Cummings, Francois Affolter, Jimmy Ockford, Florian Jungwirth, Fatai Alashe, Jacob Akanyirige

RB: Nick Lima, Joel Qwiberg

DM: Florian Jungwirth, Fatai Alashe, Luis Felipe, Gilbert Fuentes

CM: Anibal Godoy, Jackson Yueill, Eric Calvillo

LW: Vako, Jahmir Hyka, Chris Wehan

RW: Magnus Eriksson, Tommy Thompson, Chris Wehan

ST: Danny Hoesen, Chris Wondolowski, Quincy Amarikwa, Jahmir Hyka, Vako, Tommy Thompson

Minnesota United FC

GK: Matt Lampson, Bobby Shuttleworth, Alex Kapp

LB: Jerome Thiesson, Marc Burch

CB: Francisco Calvo, Michael Boxall, Bertrand Owundi Eko'o, Brent Kallman, Wyatt Omsberg

RB: Tyrone Mears, Jerome Thiesson, Carter Manley

DM: Luiz Fernando, Collen Warner, Sam Cronin

CM: Ibson, Rasmus Schuller, Harrison Heath, Collin Martin

LW: Kevin Molino, Sam Nicholson, Miguel Ibarra, Jose Leiton

CAM: Collin Martin, Kevin Molino

RW: Ethan Finlay, Frantz Pangop

ST: Christian Ramirez, Abu Danladi, Mason Toye

The Plays by Position I Like...

Note: I play GPP contests and am pretty risk-adverse.  Some of my plays I recommend aren't "safe" by any means, but could be a difference maker when they come in at 10% or less owned on a short slate.  The order of my picks are based on how I feel they will perform in comparison to salary.Also, Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG) are taken from last year's season.

GK

Top Tier
1. Andre Blake (PHI) 5.1k (7.9 FPPG)
-I really like this spot for Blake.  New England comes into this game with a lot of uncertainty with Lee Nguyen coming into training camp late after holding out to be traded in the offseason.  Reports are that he won't quite be ready for the game and that's a huge blow for New England.  Also, last time New England traveled to Philadelphia, the Union won 3-0 with Blake putting up 17 FP.  

2. Joe Bendik (ORL) 5.3k (6.2 FPPG)
-Both teams have some injury issues already.  A less than 100% DC United team won't provide as many save opportunities as you would like and I think they knock a goal or two home.  With that being said, I think Orlando City wins this game and going with Bendik could be a nice, lower-owned play instead of taking Tarbell or Gonzalez.
3. Andrew Tarbell (SJ) 5.6k (5.2 FPPG)
-Biggest favorite on the board makes him most likely to get the Win bonus.  I have some reservations at this price as I see Minnesota ruining his clean sheet with their capable offensive threats.  He will most likely be the highest owned goalie.

4. Jesse Gonzalez (FCD) 5.4k (5.2 FPPG)
-I think the mid-week loss in the CONCACAF Champions League could be a downer for FC Dallas.  I really like how Real Salt Lake has built their team and think they can test Gonzalez and knock a few home.

Punts
1. David Ousted (DC) 4.2k (7.0 FPPG)
-Orlando City isn't at full strength and are without Striker Dom Dwyer.  I personally think Stefano Pinho will step right into the role and produce a goal, but it wouldn't surprise me if that wasn't the case and Ousted had a nice game at this salary point.
2. Cody Cropper (NE) 4.3k (5.1 FPPG)
-Philadelphia doesn't provide the scariest threat in terms of high level finishers although C.J. Sapong has owned New England recently.  I could see an outcome where he makes a few saves and puts up a decent showing.
3. Nick Rimando (RSL) 4.1k (6.6 FPPG)
-If you buy into the narrative of FC Dallas being tired from a mid-week CONCACAF Champions League match, I can see the merit of rostering Rimando.  At this price, it's very risky but can allow you to get an extra stud into your lineup.
4. Matt Lampson (MIN) 3.8k (6.0 FPPG)

-I wouldn't personally go here, but if Minnesota can keep San Jose from getting marquee chances I could see Lampson letting in a goal and having 5-7 saves for a solid outing.  I just can't see Minnesota getting the win or a clean sheet so the upside is slightly capped, even at this price point.

DF

Top Tier
1. RB Scott Sutter (ORL) 5.3k (7.9 FPPG)
-I believe that the Orlando City/DC United match is going to be a war of attrition with all of the injuries each team has going in.  My prediction was a 3-2 game as I can see both teams getting forward.  I like the Orlando City side of the match and that makes me like right-back Scott Sutter.  Sutter is a crossing machine averaging 3.6 crosses per game last season.  He even posted 11 crosses against Vancouver in a match last season.  While I don't expect that kind of output, I do like his chances at a solid game and I think he will be lower owned than Lima and Fabinho, giving you an edge on the field.
2. RB Nick Lima (SJ) 5.4k (7.9 FPPG)
-Lima has the best matchup of the day with Minnesota's dreadful defense.  I can see Lima getting at least 5 crosses into the box and I wouldn't be surprised if one of those crosses led to a goal.  $100 cheaper than Fabinho, I rate Lima as a slightly better play this week.  Lima was slightly boom or bust last year as he put up some dud games, but with this matchup I am not worried at all.
3. RB Keegan Rosenberry (PHI) 4.8k (4.9 FPPG)
-The youth movement is real in Philadelphia.  I believe that Keegan Rosenberry has won the job at right-back at the expense of Ray Gaddis in the preseason.  I think with Gaddis looking over his shoulder, Rosenberry will be working extra hard to keep that starting job.  I give him the slight edge over Fabinho, although this is not a safe pick whatsoever.  Fabinho's floor is much higher, but I think given the matchup, price, and ownership I feel Rosenberry can produce around the same FP.
4. LB Fabinho (PHI) 5.5k (7.4 FPPG)
-Fabinho was up and down last season in terms of fantasy value.  He averaged 2.5 crosses per game and had 8 shots on the year.  He will add a few interceptions and takeaways as well.  3 out of his last 5 matches, he's eclipsed 10 FP which is a great score for a defender.  With the soft matchup at home against New England, I can see Fabinho eclipsing that 10 FP and have a solid output, albeit at the steepest price tag for a defender. 

5. LB Jerome Thiesson (MIN) 4.6k (6.6 FPPG)
-Minnesota is bound to let up a goal and that's almost a given at this point.  However, they live to push forward and will be trying to scratch and claw their way back into this match.  Thiesson put up 17.5 FP's in the regular season finale against San Jose.  He did score in that game, but he also sent 3 crosses into the box.  I'm not saying he will score another goal, but I could see Thiesson having a nice day in a losing effort.
6. LB Shea Salinas (SJ) 5.1k (5.7 FPPG)
-See Nick Lima.  Salinas has a nice matchup as well and could put up a good game as well.  It might be tough to pick which side of the field they will attack, but I am leaning with the right and Lima.

7. LB Gabriel Somi (NE) 4.5k
-I'm thinking more of a wait-and-see approach for him.  Somi was acquired from Ostersunds FK in the Swedish Allsvenskan.  He made 25 appearances and contributed 4 goals.  It isn't the worst matchup in the world against Philadelphia, but I would like to see how he is integrated in his left-back position and whether he is getting forward a decent amount.  

Punts
LB Donny Toia (ORL) 4.3k (4.7 FPPG)
-Would rather pay up from Sutter, but I can see the merit in playing him.

LB Anton Nedyalkov (FCD) 4.2k
-FC Dallas picked up Nedyalkov from Bulgaria's CSKA Sofia.  Keep him on your radar going forward to see what kind of impact he can make at left-back.

RB Reggie Cannon (FCD) 4k
-19-year-old who should be in the starting lineup on opening day.  Played his college soccer at UCLA and made his first appearance in the US Open Cup in 2017.

LB Demar Phillips (RSL) 4k (6.0 FPPG)
-Doesn't have huge upside, but could provide a decent 8-10 FP day at this price point.

RB Adam Henley (RSL) 3.7k
-Acquired from Blackburn Rovers and should slide into the starting lineup at right-back.  I prefer him for his upside and possible low-ownership in comparison to Phillips.

RB Tyrone Mears (MIN) 2.9k (4.3 FPPG)
-Ultra punt if you desperately need the salary relief.

Note: For the midfield and forward positions, I have listed in order which players I like the most.  Since there are a lot of players in these groups that can be interchangeable (M/F positions), I will list players eligible for both all in the midfield category.

MF

1. CM Yoshi Yotun (ORL) 8.7k (15.2 FPPG)
2. CAM Albert Rusnak (RSL) 8.4k (15.2 FPPG)

3. LW Valeri (Vako) Qazaishvili (SJ) 8.5k (10.6 FPPG)

4. CAM Mauro Diaz (FCD) 7.6k (9.1 FPPG)
5. CAM Anthony Fontana (PHI) 3.2k
***Really like if Dockal is not ready to go, he would play the number 10 role .. make sure he is in the lineup
6. CAM Kelyn Rowe (NE) 6.4k (10.3 FPPG)
7. RW Jefferson Savarino (RSL) 7.6k (F) (11.4 FPPG)
8. RW Michael Barrios (FCD) 7.7k (F) (9.1 FPPG)

9. DM Haris Medunjanin (PHI) 5.8k (9.3 FPPG)
10. LW Yamil Asad (DC) 6.1k (11.7 FPPG)
11. CAM/ST Diego Fagundez (NE) 5.9k (F) (9.1 FPPG)
12. CM Victor Ulloa (FCD) 3.2k (3.1 FPPG)
13. CM Alejandro Bedoya (PHI) 3.6k (5.7 FPPG)
14. LW Santiago Mosquera (FCD) 4.8k

FW

1. C.J. Sapong (PHI) 6.7k (11.5 FPPG)
2. Stefano Pinho (ORL) 4.8k
3. Chris Wondolowski (SJ) 8.8k (9.7 FPPG)
4. Joao Plata (RSL) 8k (12.1 FPPG)
5. Danny Hoesen (SJ) 7.5k (7.7 FPPG)
6. David Accam (PHI) 8.2k (12.1 FPPG)
7. Maximiliano Urruti (FCD) 8.3k (11.8 FPPG)
8. LW Justin Meram (ORL) 6.1k (10.9 FPPG)
9. RW Fabian Herbers (PHI) 5.3k (4.6 FPPG)
10. RW Magnus Eriksson (SJ) 7.2k
11. ST Christian Ramirez (MIN) 6.4k (9.4 FPPG)
12. ST Luis Silva (RSL) 5.8k (6.6 FPPG)
13. RW Cristian Penilla (NE) 5.2k
14. CAM/CM Zoltan Stieber (DC) 6.3k (9.9 FPPG)


Thank you for the read and good luck out there on opening day!  Any questions or feedback feel free to hit me up on twitter @DekeMathews