The U.S. Women’s National Team kicks off at 5:00 am ET Sunday, and after the way they looked against Portugal in their last game, it may be a good thing that most of us will sleep through this game. Sweden was one of three teams not to allow a goal in the group stage, while the US had the second-fewest expected goals allowed. A lot of the players on both sides are goal-dependent, and the ones who can be counted on for other attacking stats are unlikely to score. That can make things tricky for DFS, especially in a showdown slate. It is worth noting that you can play this game as part of a classic slate on FanDuel along with South Africa vs. Netherlands at 10:00 pm ET. DraftKings doesn’t have such a slate, however, so this is our Showdown breakdown for both sites.

 

WWC DFS MVP/Captains

Sophia Smith, FWD, USWNT

I wish manager Vlatko Andonovski would do more than getting Smith the ball out wide and asking her to take on the entire defense, but it has produced for fantasy. Smith has 11 crosses, six chances created and nine shots (three on goal). She isn’t as goal dependent as most of the forwards in this game but she is certainly capable of scoring as well.

Savannah Demelo, M, USWNT

It may seem crazy to have Demelo here and not in flex territory, where I originally put her. But if this game is as low scoring as I anticipate, we will be glad we have someone who will rack up crosses and chances created. With Rose Lavelle suspended with two yellow cards, Demelo is a good bet to play 90 minutes finally. Megan Rapinoe will take free kicks if she is subbed in but until then, Demelo will have every opportunity to put up fantasy stats.

 

WWC DFS Flex Options

Stina Blackstenius, FWD, Sweden

A lot of the players on both teams are goal-dependent, which is troublesome considering how strong they are defensively. Blackstenius is a world-class forward who has been quiet compared to her teammates, and her averages are skewed because she played just one minute against Argentina. She shouldn’t be this much cheaper than Fridolina Rolfo and others, so I intend to take advantage.

Lynn Williams, FWD, USWNT

Trinity Rodman did not train Friday, and if she cannot go, Williams would almost certainly start. If they both start, I’m playing whoever is cheapest on my site of choice.

Amanda Ilestedt, DEF, Sweden

Ilestedt is second on the team in clearances, and only Spain has allowed more clearances than the U.S. in this tournament. Perhaps more importantly, Ilestedt leads the team in shots, shots and shots on target. She is riskier on DraftKings but we’re getting her at a good price on both sites.

Julie Ertz, DEF, USWNT

Ertz is entrenched at center back, and this could be the first game she is really tested and forced to make some clearances. More importantly, it looks like the USWNT’s best chance to score is from set pieces, and Ertz has a chance to provide a cheap goal that nobody else in this game can match.

WWC DFS Dart Throws

Crystal Dunn, DEF, USWNT

Dunn has been heavily involved in carrying the ball down the left side but when it comes to the end product, she has surprisingly few stats to her name. With a few tactical adjustments she could play a huge role,but counting on Andonovski to make those adjustments is a risk.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, MID, Sweden

If you’re not going to go cheap in defense, you have to save money somewhere. Rytting Kaneryd is the cheapest midfielder on FanDuel and she is tied for third on the team in chances created. 

Kosovare Asllani, MID, Sweden

She is probably overpriced on DraftKings, though she is still second on the team in crosses. I really like her as a cheaper enabler on FanDuel. She has been quiet compared to her teammates, but I think she will rise to the top against a better opponent in what I expect to be a low-scoring game.