The Sat 11/07 MLS early slate is an eight-game DraftKings classic with a $50,000 salary cap. The games are CLB @ CHI, NYC @ DC, CLT @ MIA, VAN @ MTL, NE @ ORL, TOR @ PHI, NSH @ CIN and ATL @ RBNY. Lock is Sat 11/7 at 4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT).
Our model's top projected plays start at forward. Lionel Messi (MIA) costs $11,400 and carries a ceiling of 44.1, the highest on the board, against a DraftKings average of 26.0. Antoine Griezmann (ORL) is next at $11,000 with a 40.8 ceiling. Evander (CIN) at $9,000 and Nicolas Fernandez Mercau (NYC) at $8,400 follow with ceilings of 35.3 and 34.3. Carles Gil (NE) at $7,700 has a 31.3 ceiling, a cheaper route to upside.
For value, our model leans on the lower salary tiers. Its lineup uses Ashley Westwood at $4,500, Joe Willis in goal at $4,500, Kimito Nono at $4,800 and Gustavo Caraballo at $5,700. Those savings help the build fit both Evander and Fernandez Mercau.
The crowd will be heavy on the top end. Messi is projected at 42% ownership and Griezmann at 40%, with Thomas Muller third at 37%. Ryan Gauld (VAN) at $10,000 is also projected at 37%, though his DraftKings average of 15.3 sits well below his price. Check the status tags before building: Tadeo Allende (MIA) is OUT, as are Jack Harrison (NE), Prince Owusu (MTL), Tyrese Spicer (ORL) and Wessam Abou Ali (CLB).
Our model's top lineup uses $49,100 of the $50,000 cap. It runs Theo Corbeanu ($6,600) and Caraballo up front, Evander and Westwood in midfield, Frankie Westfield ($5,600) and Nono on defense, Willis in goal and Fernandez Mercau at UTIL. Lock is Sat 11/7 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
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