As soccer continues to grow in popularity across the USA, there’s no better way to test your knowledge of the sport than by playing daily fantasy soccer. You’ll be able to draft teams from local and international leagues at the top fantasy betting sites in the USA, with plenty of unique contest variations to try.
By reading this guide, you’ll be introduced to the best fantasy soccer sites that accept US players. In addition to covering the contest rules and drafting processes, we’ve also shared some helpful advice and strategies on how to improve your performance. You can also find links to welcome offers throughout so you can get started with ease.
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How to Play Fantasy Soccer
If you are unfamiliar with daily fantasy sports sites, these are exciting gambling options that appeal to sports fans from all walks of life. While there are many variations, the most common game type requires you to draft real-life soccer players from one league into a fantasy lineup while meeting certain requirements.
You will then score based on the weekly performances of your chosen players. The drafting processes will change from contest to contest, with some requiring you to build teams within a budget and others requiring that contestants draft players one by one. Each soccer player will be priced differently based on their stats.
The players with the most points will win a share of a cash prize. You’ll be able to set up your own fantasy leagues with your friends or play against a wider pool of random online contestants. We have covered two sites that offer fantasy soccer in vastly different formats so you can consider which options appeal to you most.
Overview of Fantasy Soccer with DraftKings
Before it was an online betting platform, DraftKings began as a daily fantasy sports site. It is now one of the most recognized names in the industry, and it has a strong reputation for providing its large user base with many contest variations, appealing buy-ins, and generous payouts.
The DraftKings website is reliable and players are priced according to accurate up-to-date data. The site provides contests for many local and international leagues and regularly offers lucrative promotions. You’ll be able to draft fantasy soccer teams from the English Premier League and the USA’s Major League Soccer.
Types of DraftKings Fantasy Soccer Contests
There are three contest modes available for fantasy soccer at DraftKings. These can be found for both EPL and MLS leagues. The variations tend to relate to the drafting process, the size of lineups, and how points are scored. If you build your own leagues, you can also adjust settings related to draft speeds and other custom qualities.
DraftKings “Classic Contests”
The Soccer Classic mode follows a traditional salary cap format. This means that players must draft their teams of eight players within a budget of $50,000. Players are priced according to their statistics. Your players must come from at least three different teams and include one goalkeeper, two defenders, two midfielders, two forwards, and one utility.
At the end of each week, the highest-scoring player will earn the largest piece of the prize pool. You will then need to rebuild your teams again from scratch.
Before we show the score sheet for soccer, we want to share some interesting notes to consider. Namely, that both primary and secondary assists are awarded points, and that a shot on goal will also count as a shot, awarding two points. Also, if two yellow cards are given first, a player will not be penalized further if a red card is given.
As for goalkeepers and defenders, they must play for at least one hour to qualify for the clean sheet bonus. Goalkeepers must also play for 60 minutes to qualify for a win.
Scoring
| Players | Players | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | +10 Pts | Saves | +2 Pts |
| Assist | +6 Pts | Goal Conceded | -2 Pts |
| Shot | +1 Pt | Clean Sheet | +5 Pts |
| Shot on Goal | +1 Pt | Win | +5 Pts |
| Crosses | +0.7 Pts (via corner kick, open play, and set pieces) | Penalty Kick Save | +3 Pts |
| Assisted Shot | +1 Pt | Shootout Save | +1.5 Pts |
| Accurate Pass | +.02 Pts | ||
| Fouls Drawn | +1 Pt | ||
| Fouls Conceded | -0.5 Pts | ||
| Tackle Won | +1 Pt | ||
| Passes Intercepted (D,M,F) | +0.5 Pts | ||
| Yellow Card | -1.5 Pts | ||
| Red Card | -3 Pts | ||
| Clean Sheet (D) | +3 Pts | ||
| Shootout Goal | +1.5 Pts | ||
| Shootout Miss | -1 Pt | ||
DraftKings “Soccer Tiers”
The Showdown contest mode uses a salary cap drafting process, but puts a major twist on how points are scored. Contestants are to draft teams of six players, with positions able to be filled with any amount of defenders, defenders, midfielders, and goalkeepers. However, one player is to be assigned as a Captain.This Captain will earn 1.5X the points on the scoresheet. However, their price will be increased to make up for this bonus.
DraftKings Fantasy Soccer Summary
We believe that you won’t find any other fantasy soccer platform that outperforms the DraftKings site. Not only does the site have the most contest modes and contestants, but the website itself has been optimized for easy drafting, smooth navigation, and convenient transactions. It also has a high-quality mobile app.
You can download the app for iOS and Android devices, with everything from contest creation to drafting available through your handheld device. Other great features of DraftKings are its generous bonuses, the integration of its sports betting platform, and an attentive customer support team.
Overview of Fantasy Soccer with ParlayPlay
The ParlayPlay fantasy sports platform is unlike any other you’ll find in the USA. This is because rather than offering a paid traditional fantasy sports product, it offers two distinct modes that are similar to player prop sports betting. To play, contestants are to respond to projected stats for players or make their own.
If you’re looking to try out something that is more traditional, the site also offers free fantasy sports competitions. While you won’t be able to win any real money with these, it’s a great opportunity to practice before you play for real money at a site such as DraftKings.
Types of ParlayPlay Fantasy Soccer Contests
The two paid fantasy football contests at ParlayPlay include More/Less and Hit It. Depending on which you choose, you’ll be able to find an experience that caters to your knowledge of the sport and the time you have for research. We suggest that you consider betting site player props to maximize you performance with either mode.
ParlayPlay “More/Less”
In the More/Less contest mode, contestants must select two players that will be competing in an upcoming MLS or EPL game. Each player will have projected stats, such as how many goals they are predicted to score. You will then have to predict whether they will score more or less than this projection.You can earn payouts by correctly guessing one or two of your selections. This is different from parlay sports betting in that you will only earn a payout if both wagers are correct.
ParlayPlay “Hit It”
In Hit It, it is the contestant’s job to come up with the projections. You will need to come up with an estimated point range for two different players. For example, you could predict whether a striker will score between one and three goals. Likewise, you will earn either 2X or 6X your buy-in for correctly projecting one or two players’ stats.
ParlayPlay Fantasy Soccer Summary
Whether you’re completely new to daily fantasy sports or a seasoned pro, the ParlayPlay platform provides a unique opportunity that will appeal to all soccer fans. Unlike regular DFS, it won’t take as long to respond to projections or come up with your own, and you can rely on prop betting odds to inform your decisions.
The free fantasy soccer mode also offers a unique chance to practice. The platform itself is high-quality, and it’s legal to play in most US states. If you want to play on the go, you can download the mobile app. The buy-ins are very affordable and will be accessible to all budgets.
Soccer DFS Tips & Strategy
There are several strategies that you can take to boost your chances of success with daily fantasy sports. The fundamental quality that all top DFS bettors have in common is their commitment to research. Every week, you’ll want to check fixtures and injury reports and adjust your lineups accordingly.
While it may be tempting to only draft your favorite players, this is not a wise move to take. Of course, it’s likely that many of your favorites will be top performers, but they may not be in their prime that week or your favorites may be too expensive to be a good pick.
We also suggest that you build or adjust your teams right after the week’s games are over, as you could beat out other contestants on top players before prices rise. You’ll want to stay on top of your transfers and react to new fantasy soccer news as it arrives. Other helpful details are whether players are competing at home or away and their history against rivals.
Soccer DFS Tips & Strategy
When you build your soccer lineup roster, we suggest that you spend a good deal of your budget on your midfielders. By securing two or three premium players, you’ll boost your chances to score with goals and assists. A couple of strong forwards are also a must.
Your defenders should make up about a quarter of your budget, so whether you choose one top player or several mid-range players is up to you. When choosing a goalkeeper, we suggest considering a player on a team that hasn’t been performing particularly well but has still demonstrated a strong ability to save goals.
This will have them priced at a more affordable salary. Obviously, you don’t want a goalkeeper that concedes too frequently, but someone from a team with a strong defense and lacking offense. If you’re playing a Showdown contest, you’ll want to assign the Captain role to a striker. Finally, only choose players that are almost guaranteed to play for 60 minutes.
Helpful Soccer DFS Resources
There are several resources that both newcomers and experienced users can benefit from when making picks. When it comes to finding accurate data, you can refer to the official league websites of the English Premier League and Major League Soccer. These will include up-to-date statistics and injury reports as they’re released.
Just like you would researching hockey DFS contests, it’s also helpful to see what other community members and experts are doing each week. There are several great fantasy soccer podcasts available, where players discuss their picks and opinions on recent soccer news. There are also many forums on sites such as Reddit where you’ll find in-depth analyses and conversations relating to fantasy soccer.
To see how bookmakers are expecting players to perform, you can refer to player prop odds at your favorite betting sites. You’ll also find some websites that will draft lineups for you. While we don’t suggest relying on these entirely, these can provide unique insights into certain players you may have overlooked.
Our Pick of the Top Daily Fantasy Soccer App
Of the two top soccer fantasy apps that we’ve recommended, we believe that DraftKings is the superior option.This is because users have access to several more contest options, with traditional salary cap contests, tiered, and snake drafting processes available. Leagues can easily be created customized within your mobile platform.
As DraftKings has over a decade of experience in the industry, its mobile products have been refined to ensure smooth and reliable gameplay. The app is fast, responsive, and extremely user-friendly, and you can complete all basic account functions such as making transactions and claiming promotions. Though there is a good chance that we may change this decision, since the Bethard DFS platform is launching in the US shortly. This newcomer is very focused on soccer contests, so keep an eye out for its arrival.
| DraftKings | Deposit bonus up to $500 | Visit Site | Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org(CT). 18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. |
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Soccer Fantasy Site
When it comes to playing fantasy soccer in the USA, you have a couple of great options that are completely legal to play in many states. These options have accessible buy-ins and allow you to build the ideal lineups for your budget and tastes. Each site comes with a high-quality mobile app too so you can easily play while on the go.
FAQ
What is the best fantasy soccer site?
For new and veteran players on the hunt for a well-rounded DFS soccer experience, we recommend playing with OwnersBox. Not only is there big cash prizes up for grabs every day, but there's a generous welcome bonus awaiting new players.
How do you play classic fantasy soccer contests?
In a classic soccer competition, it is all about choosing the optimal lineup. It's worth considering targeting players with the most upside, or points potential versus their salary.
When does fantasy soccer start?
Fantasy soccer always coincides with the the Major League Soccer season. Each year it is scheduled to start in February and conclude in October. If you're looking for a new DFS service this season, take a look at which daily fantasy site we recommend.
How does fantasy soccer scoring work?
It is worth noting that most DFS providers have their own unique scoring system which can vary from game modes and competitions. Generally, points in soccer are earned based on your a player's real life performance in games for things like goals, assists, and clean sheets. A loss of points can occur from receiving a yellow or red card.
Where is it legal to play soccer DFS in the United States?
At the present time, daily fantasy sports is legal to play in 44 states, though it should be noted that not every DFS provider is registered to operate in all of these states. DraftKings has the best coverage and is present in every legal state.
What is the best fantasy soccer app?
DraftKings has not only brought a unique DFS experience to fans of soccer, but they've also been front-runners when it comes to tech. They easily have the best fantasy soccer app on the market. Available to download on Android and iOS.