SOCCER

FanDuel Women's World Cup Single-Game Helper: United States vs. Sweden

Tobin Heath's salary has dropped significantly after her first-match clunker, making it a lot easier to roster the front trio of the United States. With the Americans facing their biggest test yet, how should you handle this single-game slate?

The World Cup is here, and FanDuel is offering daily fantasy contests. FanDuel has altered its soccer format for the Women's World Cup for the multi-match offerings, and it's important to know how those changes impact things. The single-match slates, however, are the same format as usual.

This primer covers the single-game slate for the US-Sweden matchup, which starts at 3 p.m. EST on Thursday.

Per FanDuel Sportsbook, the US is once again a hefty favorite, listed at -410, which implies win odds of 80.4%. While that certainly makes the Americans the team to target in this match, it's worth noting that this should -- emphasis on should -- be a much tighter contest for the US than either of their first two matchups. Sweden checks in ninth in the FIFA World Rankings, and the two most likely scorelines, per oddsmakers, are 2-0 and 1-0 in favor of the US.

Forwards/Midfielders

Alex Morgan ($17), Megan Rapinoe ($14) and Tobin Heath ($8), United States

The United States rotated heavily against Chile in their last match, giving Morgan, Rapinoe, and Heath -- the starting front three versus Thailand -- the day off. All three should be back in there against Sweden, and they're all in play on this single-game slate, even though the US is just a -410 favorite, their lowest win odds so far this tourney.

Morgan's first-match exploits are well known as she poured in five goals on her way to 137.0 FanDuel points. It was video-game stuff and her role as penalty taker pads both her floor and ceiling. She's worthy of being a captain choice in any US match, but given her performance against Thailand, she'll likely be the most popular captain play, so you have to at least think about putting her in a utility spot or fading her altogether. If you're filling out multiple lineups, you should go without Morgan in some of them.

Rapinoe and Heath make for really appealing captain choices, and putting either of them -- especially Heath -- in your captain spot should differentiate your lineups.

Rapinoe was up to her usual tricks against Thailand, scoring 56.3 FanDuel points and creating a whopping seven chances. Heath, on the other hand, turned in a clunker, failing to get in on any of the Americans' 13 goals. In fact, she didn't even put a shot on target. But that has caused her price to drop in a huge way (she was $15 for the Thailand match), and the dud may push some people off of her for this one.

But Heath is unquestionably one of the best players in the world and a vital cog for the Americans. Prior to the Thailand match, she had scored a goal in seven of her last 10 matches across all competitions with the national team and the Portland Thorns.

Heath's cheap price-tag makes it possible to pack in all three of Heath, Morgan, and Rapinoe -- though you'll have to pinch pennies everywhere else. Not only is Heath a near must-have at her bargain price, she makes sense as a contrarian captain play.

Kosovare Asllani ($11), Sweden

While we haven't wanted to touch any of the attackers on Chile or Thailand, the first two opponents of the US, Sweden should be able to put up a good fight and possibly score a goal. Asllani has been a monster for the Swedes, totaling two goals -- one in each match -- and an assist through two outings while creating 11 total chances. She's the focal point for Sweden, playing in a classic number-10 role, and while Asllani is unlikely to rack up too many chances in this matchup, she should have to contribute some defensively, so her floor is respectable.

Rose Lavelle ($12), United States

Lavelle beasted in the Thailand match, scoring two goals and getting three shots on target. She probably won't get forward quite as often Thursday as she'll have to be a little more defensive minded against Sweden, but she's a cheap way to get exposure to the US and makes for a good stacking partner with any of the front three.

Caroline Seger ($9), Sweden

Seger has been solid as a multi-faceted midfielder for Sweden, and that role should keep her busy in this one. She's averaging 3.0 tackles and 3.5 interceptions per match to go along with one clearance and one chance created. Her all-around contributions and trustworthy floor -- 13.4 and 12.1 FanDuel points in her first two matches -- are awfully appealing.

Christen Press ($5), United States

Press isn't likely to start, but she came on as a sub in the Americans' first match and could be one of the first players off the bench in this game. There's an obvious risk in rostering any sub as they may not play at all, but Press has looked very good in her time on the pitch, getting an assist and two chances created in her first-match cameo and amassing two more chances created and three shots on goal in a starting role against Chile. A goal or assist from a low-owned player can really swing single-match slates, and if Press doesn't start, she's unlikely to see much ownership. The $5 salary is perfect for a stars-and-scrubs approach.

Defenders

Kelley O'Hara ($10) and Crystal Dunn ($7), United States

The Americans' starting full-backs offer big-time upside in every match, and this one is no different. O'Hara notched 24.5 FanDuel points in the opener, getting a clean sheet, an assist and creating two chances. Dunn scored 20.29 FanDuel points against Thailand thanks to three chances created and a clean-sheet bonus. Both were rotated out of the squad for the Chile fixture. Dunn -- normally a winger or outside midfielder in club play -- probably shouldn't be $3 cheaper than O'Hara, and that difference in salary comes in handy if you're trying to roster Morgan, Rapinoe, and Heath. Both full-backs are great stacking partners with any of the US attackers and also offer solid clean-sheet odds.

Nilla Fischer ($5), Sweden

Fischer has started at center-back in both of Sweden's matches, and she will likely be busy in this clash. Her cheap salary is helpful if you're loading up on high-priced attackers, and while she is a long shot for the clean-sheet bonus, Fischer should push for double-digit FanDuel points via defensive actions.