soccer daily fantasy

Welcome to my soccer DFS breakdown for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021!

Sunday night is the final for the 2021 Gold Cup and it will feature the class of CONCACAF. Nobody is surprised that Mexico and the United States are here in the final as it’s the seventh time they will meet in the final in just the sixteen editions of the Gold Cup. The USA is the only team to win every one of their games and has been very impressive. Team USA has been especially outstanding on the defensive side led by their 27-year-old goalkeeper, Matt Turner ($5,400). Mexico has been equally as stout on defense as the Americans, allowing just one goal in their five games. Alfredo Talavera ($6,600) has started four of Mexico’s five games but has not had the workload of the American keeper. Talavera has only made seven saves and allowed one goal in his four appearances. I think Mexico does get the win on Sunday, but I think turner will make 3-4 saves and only allow one goal in this game. My prediction is Mexico wins 1-0 in 90 minutes, or this game goes to penalties.

Soccer DFS:

Since it seems like we might have a low-scoring game on Sunday, I want to focus on the players who do all the ancillary things instead of goal hunting. There are two players in particular that I want to lock in are Jesus Corona ($10,400) from Mexico and Sebastian Lletget ($7,800) from the USA. Both players are solid wings who are involved in the build-up for their team’s offenses. Corona in particular is a crossing machine with 43 in five games this tournament and Lletget is no slouch with 20 of his own in four games.

Defensive plays:

Shaq Moore ($6,200) and Sam Vines ($6,000) have been solid DFS plays for Team USA on defense with both pushing up the field. Vines and Moore each have goal-scoring potential as both have put one in during this tournament. Even when they don’t score they still put up points. For Mexico, it’s Luis Rodriguez ($7,000) on the backend that I want to use on Sunday. Similar to Moore and Vines, Rodriguez fills up the score sheet with fringe points but also factors into the scoring.

Value Plays:

Looking to find some value, I keep landing on Edson Alvarez ($3,400) from Mexico. Alvarez has not gotten on the score sheet but does average 6.2 DKFP per game. That number is not very high, but he is super cheap and will make it much easier to fit Corona in at captain which is my preferred play. On the US side of the value, I like Miles Robinson ($3,800) as a value play.

Lastly, if you have the salary, Rogelio Funes Mori ($10,200) is Mexico’s best goal scorer this tournament and is someone I will look to fit in. Funes Mori doesn’t just score goals, he can put up some of the aforementioned ancillary points as well. Funes Mori does have three goals but also has 23 shots taken and twelve shots on gold.

Thank you for reading my breakdown for the two different showdown slates for tonight’s Gold Cup games! Make sure to be in discord tonight after lineups release (approximately 1 hour before kickoff) to see if any changes are needed to your lineups! Make sure to follow both, @mvecchio81, and @windailysports on Twitter!

Welcome to my soccer DFS breakdown for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021!

Saturday night starts the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup with two very intriguing matchups. First, unbeaten Qatar takes on El Salvador who went 2-0-1 in their three games conceding just once in their loss to Mexico. In the late game, Mexico takes on Honduras, whose only loss was to aforementioned Qatar. Both of these games feature teams with high-scoring offenses, but also stout defenses.

Soccer DFS:

Qatar vs El Salvador

Qatar scored 9 goals in their three games, meanwhile El Salvador only scored four goals. Qatar tended to get things going early, scoring the majority of their goals in the first hour of play. In contrast, El Salvador scored all but one of their goals in the last 15 minutes of play. I am trying to say that this game could come down to the wire.

Qatar:

Qatar is my pick to win this game and potentially keep a clean sheet as well. El Salvador is not a high-powered offense and as I mentioned tends to sit back and wait for their chance to strike late on a tired defensive backline.

One player who is going to be a lock for my builds will be Akram Afif ($11,800, cpt: $17,700). Afif has been the best fantasy option when it comes to Qatar and should be the highest-scoring player in this game. I know he is expensive, but playing him at the captain’s spot will be a contrarian play and the difference-maker. Some value options in this game will make getting Afif at the captain’s spot doable. Abdelaziz Hatim ($6,800) is one of the better plays from Qatar in this matchup. Hatim has been great for Qatar as a wing and has been very involved in their offense. In the group stage, Hatim scored twice, had 8 total shots and two shots on goal. One of the best parts about him is that Hatim is listed as a defenseman but plays the midfield, so if Qatar gets the clean sheet, he picks up an additional 3 points for this. If you think like I do and that Qatar keeps a third straight clean sheet, then playing their keeper, Meeshal Barsham ($7,200), will be a key player in your builds. We need to see the lineup first, but both Boualem Khoukhi ($3,600) and Karim Boudiaf ($3,200) could be vital in getting Afif in as captain.

El Salvador:

Bryan Tamacas ($5,800) is El Salvador’s highest-scoring fantasy player this tournament so far but did not get into their final game, coincidentally their only loss. I think we see Tamacas back in the lineup for El Salvador on Saturday. El Salvador has only conceded one goal in this tournament and in GPP’s I like using their keeper, Mario Gonzalez ($5,200). There is a chance that El Salvador keeps this game close and Gonzalez make 3-4 saves while only letting 1 goal in which make him great value at probably very low ownership. Darwin Ceren ($4,400) is another inexpensive player that has a small upside. If you are looking to play 1-2 cheap players from this side, then you are banking on big production from your higher end Qatar players so you aren’t expecting a huge day out of someone like Ceren anyway. If you do have salary to spend and want to pay up, which I think will be contrarian, then my favorite play is Joshua Perez ($8,000). Perez hasn’t netted a goal or assist yet, he is involved in the offense some. Perez has taken or assisted on good amount of El Salvador’s shots, and since he plays up top there is always a chance he gets one in.

Mexico vs Honduras

Both teams have a lot of fire power and scored plent of goals in their group stage games. Mexico scored four goals in their final two games after getting shutout in their first games. As for Honduras, they scored seven goals in their first two games before being shutout by Qatar in game three.

Mexico:

After not showing up in the game against Trinidad, Orbelin Pineda ($9,000, cpt: 13,500) has been a monster for Mexico. Pineda can both score and get points without getting on the score sheet as well. In the last two games Pineda has drawn 9 fouls, taken 8 shots, and landed 4 on goal. Luis Rodriguez ($8,600, cpt: $12,900) has been the most consistent player in DFS for Mexico and another player I want to make sure I roster on Saturday. Like Pineda, Rodriguez gets his points either by getting a goal or assist or sending 8 crosses in. Both Hector Herrera ($9,400) and Jesus Corona ($10,800) are great high priced plays as well Saturda. As for some cheap options, my favorite is probably Edson Alvarez ($4,600). Another really cheap play is Nelson Araujo ($3,400), but I would reserve him as a last resort for savings.

Honduras:

Romell Quioto ($7,000, cpt: 10,500) is an option I like for the captains spot to be different since I think most will flock to the Mexican side of this game. Quioto has scored three goals so far this tournament, but did pick up an injury in their loss to Qatar, so wee need to see the lineup first. If Quioto is out, Jerry Bengston ($6,000) would be a good cheaper option who can score. Alexander Lopez ($8,200) is the best fantasy option for Honduras, a little more expensive than I’d like to make him the captain, but I plan on rostering him on Saturday. Deybi Flores ($3,800) is a great cheap option from Honduras. He doesn’t do a lot, but he’s played every minute for this team and does manage to get up the field and be involved in the offense.

Thank you for reading my breakdown for the two different showdown slates for tonight’s Gold Cup games! Make sure to be in discord tonight after lineups release (approximately 1 hour before kickoff) to see if any changes are needed to your lineups! Make sure to follow both, @mvecchio81, and @windailysports on Twitter!

Welcome to my soccer DFS breakdown for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021!

On Thursday night we have the second games from Group B in this tournament with Canada and Haiti kicking things off in Kansas City. In the late game the United States host Martinique in Kansas City as well. Both Canada and the USA won their opening matchups and should take care of business on Thursday setting up a matchup for the group later this weekend.

Soccer DFS:

Haiti vs Canada

Haiti gave up an early goal to the USA on Sunday but couldn’t recover and ended up losing by that score, 1-0. As for Canada, they demolished Martinique with a flurry of goals, three in just 10 minutes to be exact.

Haiti:

If Haiti is to have any chance in this game they will need to find a way to get more chances offensively than the mere three they mustered against the Americans on Sunday. Stephane Lambese ($5,200) is listed as a defenseman on DraftKings, but he played in the midfield and was probably Haiti’s best player last game. Lambese sent in three crosses and took three shots last game and he is probably one of the two players I will be looking to use in this game for Haiti. Derrick Etienne ($5,000) is another option for the Haitians. Ettiene is a cheap option who played center midfield for Haiti but did send in three crosses and took two shots. Carnejy Antoine ($7,800) was the lone striker for Haiti in their first game and while he didn’t produce he could be a low-owned option with goal potential if you have the salary.

Canada:

I will be looking to have a 4 or 5 man Canada build for this game as I just don’t think Haiti can stop this team. I will start in between the woodwork with Maxime Crepeau ($7,600). I believe he will be popular, and he should be. Crepeau and team Canada should earn their second win in this tournament and their first clean sheet. I’m just going to put it out there now, we will have to pay a premium at the captain position in this game, but with the Haitian value I mentioned above we should be just fine in building lineups on Thursday. David Junior Hoilett ($10,400) will be popular on Thursday and for good reason as he is Canada’s best player. I will have exposure but at the captain spot, I want to find someone different, insert Tajon Buchanan ($14,100 – cpt, $9,400). Last week against Martinique, Buchanan had a great performance with an assist, four crosses, 5 fouls drawn, and two shots. Buchanan was all over the board, but another good play that could be more popular is Richie Laryea ($8,100 – cpt, $5,400). Laryea wasn’t as proficient as Buchanan but will probably be under 10% in the captain’s spot. I also have an interest in Jonathan Osorio ($9,000) and Stephen Eustaquio ($8,600) who both netted goals last game.

U.S.A. vs Martinique

This game seems pretty straightforward and similar to the early game. The Americans are still trying to build cohesiveness as a unit but they earned the three points against Haiti. Martinique was no match for Canada and shouldn’t put up much of a fight on Thursday

U.S.A.:

I will be stacking 4-5 Americans on Thursday, I’d stack 6 if DraftKings would let me, but nevertheless, they don’t. Sebastian Lletget ($13,800 – cpt, $9,200) wore the captain’s armband for team USA on Sunday, so why not make him my captain for showdowns? Lletget took corners for the USA on Sunday and had six crosses but also took four shot attempts. Sam Vines ($8,800) scored the Americans’ only goal on his only shot but did add four crosses. I think Vines could carry some ownership but I will not force him in because there are better options in my opinion. Shaq Moore ($6,200) is someone I would rather play from the team since he seemed to be more involved in the offense. If you take out Vines’ goal these two would have had similar point totals but for $2.6K less in salary. Both Kellyn Acosta ($7,600) and Gyasi Zardes ($10,800) are two players I have an interest in on Thursday. Whoever ends up in goal for Team USA will be in my lineup as well, Matt Turner ($8,000) started last game.

Martinique:

Emmanuel Riviere ($6,400) scored Martinique’s only goal last game so he will be an option for me on Thursday. Aside from scoring his goal, Riviere also added three shots with two landing on goal. Outside of Riviere, Yann Thimion ($5,400) is someone who could pick up the fringe points (crosses, fouls drawn). If you want to take a risk and pay up for a Martinique player, Kevin Fortune ($8,200) played up top for Martinique. Lastly, Daniel Herelle ($4,800) plays on the outside wing and could also be in one for a day similar to Thimion.

Thank you for reading my breakdown for the two different showdown slates for tonight’s Gold Cup games! Make sure to be in discord tonight after lineups release (approximately 1 hour before kickoff) to see if any changes are needed to your lineups! Make sure to follow both, @mvecchio81, and @windailysports on Twitter!

Welcome to my soccer DFS breakdown for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021!

Tonight we have two games from Group A both taking place in Texas! In the early game (7:30 pm east) we will see group leaders El Salvador taking on Trinidad and Tobago from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas who earned one point in a 0-0 tie with Mexico last weekend. Guatemala takes on the aforementioned Mexican side from The Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, in the nightcap (9:30 pm east).

Soccer DFS:

El Salvador vs Trinidad and Tobago

In their first game, El Salvador completely outplayed Guatemala to the tune of 69% of possession. La Selecta also outshot the Guatemalans 21-4 and had earned 10 corners to Guatemala’s 0. I think El Salvador should see similar dominance against the Soca Warriors on Wednesday night after the way Mexico handled them. I don’t think El Salvador is on par with the Mexican team and T&T isn’t as poor of a side as Guatemala, but I am definitely leaning to the El Salvador side when building lineups.

Trinidad & Tobago

While I think El Salvador dominates this game, I don’t think there will be many goals scored. I don’t hate a potential goalie stack in this game, but if I am going to choose one, it will be Marvin Phillip ($5,200) of Trinidad. He was stellar in stopping all 7 shots on target from Mexico last Saturday, and I think El Salvador gets 4-5 shots on target tonight. There isn’t much else to really like about Trinidad in this matchup since they don’t push forward and attack much. Alvin Jones ($8,600) is expensive for a defender but he was the best fantasy option after Phillip in their first game. Jones pushed forward as a wing-back and attempted one shot on goal and sent in three crosses. I expect a similar scoreline from him tonight. Reon Moore ($7,800) was the Soca Warriors lone striker last time out and should be once again tonight. If you think Trinidad & Tobago net a goal he would be my pick.

El Salvador:

As for La Selecta, my favorite overall play from this game comes from their midfield and is Marvin Monterroza ($6,600). He is inexpensive and while he is seen as a central midfielder he played more like a wing last game. Monterroza had 18.1 DK points without getting on the score sheet. He sent in 6 crosses and attempted 6 shots with one landing on net. When you can get that type of production from a player without getting involved in the goals at this cheap you have to love that. Alexander Larin ($9,600) is similar to Jones where he plays a wing-back position and pushes up on the attack. Last game Larin sent in 8 crosses and picked up 12.4 DK points. If you are looking for some value, both Bryan Tamacas ($6,200) and Alex Roldan ($6,800) performed well last game and should be considered tonight as well.

Mexico vs Guatemala

Similar to the early game, I want to try and build a 4-2 or 5-1 team in favor of Mexico. Mexico will most likely come out firing knowing they need to win and by multiple goals to try and win this group. Guatemala has been good defensively allowing just three goals in their last 14 fixtures, but Mexico is hungry and that can be dangerous.

Mexico:

Jesus Corona ($11,200) is basically a must-play for me tonight for the Mexicans. I know the price is steep, especially at captain ($16,800) but he was the best player on the field last time out. Mexico did not score, but Corona still managed 25.3 DK points thanks to his 17 crosses (INSANE!), and four attempted shots with 2 landing on goal. After Corona, we will need to find value, and it could come in Efrain Alvarez ($6,600) Alvarez subbed on for the injured Hector Lozano in the 11th minute against T&T last game and will likely start in his place. If Alvarez starts he could be a low-owned goal scorer tonight after taking 3 shots last game. Hector Herrera ($9,800) was arguably the best player on the pitch last game earning Man of the Match honors. Herrera attempted 8 shots and sent in four crosses as well, he is another great captain’s play tonight over Corona if you need the salary savings.

Guatemala:

There is not much to like on the Guatemalan side of this fixture but in GPP’s I really like the idea of using keeper, Nicholas Hagen ($4,000). He is sure to face a ton of shots and should extremely under-owned. Will he get the clean sheet or win bonus, probably not, but he should have plenty of save opportunities and that is what we need. If you want to play the big names from Mexico, then we need to find cheap fill-ins around them and that is Nicholas Hagen. Outside of Hagen, Jose Morales ($5,400) and Marvin Ceballos ($5,800) are decent cheap options who could fit in your 4-2 style build. Morales is listed as a defender but played in the midfield last game and Ceballos played a right-wing role for Guatemala.

Thank you for reading my breakdown for the two different showdown slates for tonight’s Gold Cup games! Make sure to be in discord tonight after lineups release (approximately 1 hour before kickoff) to see if any changes are needed to your lineups! Make sure to follow both, @mvecchio81, and @windailysports on Twitter!