Major League Soccer returns to the DraftKings forefront with an eight-match slate filling Saturday, making it one of the best opportunities to cash in on MLS daily fantasy this season.

The Los Angeles Galaxy's top-caliber signings Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos have the league buzzing. Although they won't be in action Saturday, there's plenty of star power to go around as we take a look at the best DK player picks for the MLS in Week 22.

F: Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC ($11,600) and Patrick Mullins, NYCFC ($6,900)

Any lineup featuring Sebastian Giovinco is one fit for DFS prominence. His 18.7 points-per-game average is tops in the league by a sizable margin, and he's coming off a hat-trick in just nine minutes against New York City FC. His Toronto side faces another hapless defense in the Philadelphia Union, who have given up 32 goals in 20 games so far this season.

Save some salary on the back end without compromising value by taking Patrick Mullins from NYCFC. He's averaged double digits in his last four outings and figures to have a big impact with lead forward David Villa ($11,400) carrying a heavy workload of late. Saturday's opponent—New England—is the only team to have conceded more goals than Philadelphia this season.

M: Kaka, Orlando City SC ($10,400) and Mehdi Ballouchy, NYCFC ($6,100) 

Don't let his status as the most expensive midfielder fool you—Kaka's production of double-digit points or more is practically guaranteed when you fork over roughly a fifth of your salary. He's scored in two straight contests, and with 11 shots (five on goal) in his last three games, he's set to continue his offensive onslaught against the New York Red Bulls.

The absences of Frank Lampard and Mix Diskerud in the NYCFC midfield mean there is immense value in selecting Mehdi Ballouchy, a first-team option who will get much more of the ball Saturday. That, along with facing a New England Revolution defense that is among the league's worst, will help Ballouchy to end a more than two-month scoring drought.

D: Chris Duvall, New York ($5,100) and Fabinho, Philadelphia ($4,200)

Fresh off scoring his first goal of the season, Chris Duvall's fantasy impact has never been more concrete. His affinity for sending crosses (38 on DK this season) and the occasional shot on goal make him among the best defenders to pick from, and he could be in for a clean-sheet bonus against an Orlando City squad with one goal in its last two outings.

Don't expect a clean-sheet bonus for Philadelphia's Fabinho, as he faces Giovinco and Toronto FC, but he should still pose some value on Saturday. He's been all over the attacking third with five shots in his last four games.

GK: Dan Kennedy, FC Dallas ($5,200) 

A three-match streak of double-digit points in DK contests isn't the only thing FC Dallas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy has going for him heading into Saturday. He also faces D.C. United, who are scoreless in their last two matches. Expect Kennedy to easily notch his fourth straight win.

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Steven Gerrard's first competitive start for Los Angeles Galaxy was capped by a goal as the midfielder struck against San Jose Earthquakes.

The former Liverpool man had turned out for the Galaxy in the International Champions Cup pre-season tournament, but he marked his first official game in style when he found space at the far post.

Later he set up Robbie Keane for a goal, meaning he had a goal, an assist and won his side a penalty.

Gerrard's assist #CaliClasico #LAGalaxy #LFC https://t.co/ILIfg3qUS7

 Presumably, David Beckham, watching from the stands, was impressed.

[Twitter @MLS, h/t @BPFootball]  

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The MLS Players Union released individual player salaries on Friday, with Orlando City's Kaka listed as the highest earner at around $7.2 million a year. Toronto FC's Michael Bradley ($6.5 million annually) makes the most money out of any American.

The salaries were released less than a day after the MLS Players Union ratified the new collective bargaining agreement, per the official league website. 

The LA Galaxy's newest signing, Giovani Dos Santos, will earn roughly $4.1 million this year. That's more than $2 million less than his teammate Steven Gerrard, who is on $6.3 million in annual salary.

New York City FC's Frank Lampard is the team's highest-paid player this year at $6 million. Striker David Villa is on approximately $5.6 million, with Andrea Pirlo making just $2.3 million in 2015. However, the Italian midfielder is expected to be paid $8 million annually in the future, per Doug McIntyre of ESPN FC.

Toronto FC is spending more than $18 million in yearly salary on its three designated players. Jozy Altidore is on close to $4.8 million a year and Sebastian Giovinco makes around $7.1 million on top of Bradley's $6.5 million. Giovinco is the No. 2 earner in MLS.

The Seattle Sounders are paying U.S. international Clint Dempsey about $4.6 million a year, with Obafemi Martins making $3 million. When compared with other salaries across the league, the Sounders are getting a formidable return on their investment.

One notable change in this year's salaries comes from the New York Red Bulls. Their payroll has significantly decreased after the departures of Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill, with just one player making over $600,000 a year in Bradley Wright-Phillips:

The Red Bulls have recently changed philosophy under sporting director Ali Curtis, but it hasn't hurt the club in the league standings. New York is currently in third place in the Eastern Conference.

Unless otherwise noted, all player salaries via the MLS Players Union. 

Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @GalindoPW.

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Ricardo Kaka is still the biggest earner in Major League Soccer, despite a flurry of new arrivals to the division, including Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Andrea Pirlo.

MLS release salary figures for all of their players—a different approach to, say, the Premier League—and it gives an insight into how much stars are earning. 

There are a total of 21 players in the league currently earning seven figures or more.

For those deciphering the list, Sports Illustrated explain the "Guaranteed Compensation" figure:

Guaranteed compensation takes into account base salary and signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player's contract (including option years). Marketing bonuses, performance bonuses and other individual agreements between players and clubs are separate and not listed. For summer arrivals, their deals are pro-rated. 

Kaka, who earns $7,167,500 with Orlando City, per the figures, beats Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto by a narrow margin into second.

Gerrard, now of the L.A. Galaxy, earns $6,332,504, while Frank Lampard's earnings at New York City FC are an even $6,000,000.

One surprise, though, is how low Pirlo's figure is relative to the others. His earnings are quoted at $2,315,694.

[MLS, h/t Sports Illustrated]

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LOS ANGELES — Steven Gerrard was on hand at an event this week in L.A. to help launch Adidas' new boots. Celebrity status was afforded to the 35-year-old, who will make his MLS bow in the Los Angeles Galaxy's game against the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday.

"It's great to be here. [L.A. is] a fantastic place to live and work," he said as he took photos with excited fans who had had their skills judged by the Liverpool great as part of the festivities.

Looking relaxed, Gerrard is fitting in to L.A. life, and his teammates are enjoying having him around. Bleacher Report spoke to the Galaxy's Mika Vayrynen and Oscar Sorto to get their thoughts on their most famous new teammate and the MLS game.

As a 20-year-old American from Los Angeles, Sorto is in awe of the former England captain: "I feel like bringing these players to our club is going to help all our players from Galaxy develop and learn. That's what I'm looking forward to, to learn from Gerrard [and new signing Giovani] Dos Santos."

"When I first saw him [Gerrard] in training, I was just thinking, this guy is amazing, his touch is so simple," he said. "He's one of the players that I used to look up to [as a kid]."

Gerrard is to be joined by another designated player in L.A., former Tottenham Hotspur forward Dos Santos of Mexico, whose arrival from Spanish side Villarreal was confirmed on Wednesday.

Adding a player of such quality will not only help the team on the field but also help the Galaxy attract Latino soccer fans familiar with him.

"Dos Santos is in his prime," said Vayrynen, a midfielder. "He's only 26 years old, it's like [Sebastian] Giovinco [of Toronto FC]—you get a big name here in the peak of their career.

"It's a very exciting signing for Galaxy and the league itself. He's a very good player, a Mexican superstar, he's going to bring more firepower for us for sure."

Former Finnish international Vayrynen joined the Galaxy earlier this year after playing most of his career in the Netherlands, so he's in a position to judge how MLS stacks up against European leagues.

"It's very difficult to compare. Here is more based on physicality and running. In Europe and in Holland, it's more based on technical skills and passing," he said. "It's [MLS] a tough league to come into. It's a totally different kind of league, it takes time to settle, but it's a good league."

"Every player [on the Galaxy] is so friendly and social," Vayrynen added. "In L.A., obviously, there's a lot of things to do, which helps."

The Galaxy players spoke at an Adidas event to celebrate a new era in the company's array of boots, featuring the "X" and the "Ace," instead of the "Predator."

In ending the iconic Predator line of boots, Adidas have certainly made a huge change—one that traditional football fans were surprised to learn of when the German manufacturer unveiled its plans back in May.

The concept is that the X appeals to the player who plays on the edge: It was first worn by Luis Suarez in the UEFA Champions League Final in May. The Ace is relatively reserved in design, featuring more black to cover the overall neon yellow look—and looking more like the traditional Predator design. It's the boot of choice for Gerrard.

As a player who grew up in the 1990s, Vayrynen was around when Adidas first introduced the Predator boot.

"It's a big change for Adidas," he said. "They had the Predator for many, many years, but I find the X very good. I use the leather version."

For Adidas, having players like Gerrard and David Villa—who plays for New York City—come over to MLS is a dream. 

"To have Gerrard wearing the new Ace product, it's perfect," said Adidas' Peter Hong, senior merchandise manager for soccer footwear in the U.S. "And to have him in L.A., a great urban MLS market, we're thrilled."

It seems that the Ace is the pros' boot of choice so far, with Gerrard, Real Madrid's James Rodriguez and Chelsea's Oscar all opting for the design that is, as Hong put it, "for the player who doesn't want to stand out quite so much but still wants to have a little bit of swagger."

All quotes obtained firsthand.

Bleacher Report attended this event under the auspices of Adidas' #bethedifference campaign, signaling the new direction of their soccer division and new cleats.

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Major League Soccer is moving one step closer to becoming a reality in South Beach thanks to some help from David Beckham. 

According to ABC 10, a group that includes Beckham and the city of Miami has agreed to build a soccer-specific stadium:

This is the next step in getting an MLS franchise in Miami. In February 2014, Beckham announced his plans to be an owner of a new MLS team in South Beach, but getting a stadium built was one of the biggest obstacles to making it a reality. 

Beckham's group released a statement on the decision, according to Douglas Hanks of the Miami Herald:

“Today's meeting with Mayor Regalado was another positive step toward bringing a world class soccer club to Miami. We're still in the early planning stages and several viable options still exist, but our preferred stadium location is the former Orange Bowl site,” the statement read. “David, Marcelo and Simon are thrilled by the initial outpouring of support we've received from our fans and we're excited about sharing our plans with the City, County and community soon.”

When Beckham first announced his venture, his business partner, Marcelo Claure, told Franco Panizo of SBISoccer.com the launch target for the Miami MLS franchise was 2017:

Three years, three years, 2017. That’s the idea if it all works out like we hope. I think three years is the objective because we’re creating a soccer team from scratch. We have to pick coaches, we have to involve the community, we have to pick a name, pick a jersey, we have to convince big-name players to come play for us.

Having a stadium built next to Marlins Park makes sense since there's already built-in proximity for one of the city's major sports franchises and fans won't have to do additional traveling to see their new soccer team.

On July 1, Ben van der Meer of the Sacramento Business Journal noted that the MLS has already awarded Miami a franchise, but the group was in danger of losing that agreement without progress on a stadium. Now that a tentative agreement has been reached, Miami's team appears safe. 

Now, the next moves for the franchise can be selecting a name and finding players to target so it can fill out a roster and get fans in the stadium when it does eventually open.

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Steven Gerrard made his long-awaited debut for the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night against Club America. 

The Galaxy released behind-the-scenes footage of Gerrard's big night in Los Angeles. 

Cinematically speaking, it's a very good watch and well worth the six minutes. 

[LA Galaxy, h/t 101 Great Goals] 

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The L.A. Galaxy signed Mexico international Giovani dos Santos on Wednesday, as announced on the team’s official website. This is the latest move in a crazy summer for both the Galaxy and New York City FC.

It's also going to lead to several comparisons between these two clubs.

Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard will be monitored closely to see which ex-England international outdoes the other. The former will also be likened to David Beckham, which has already happened.

Of course, whichever team makes it further in the playoffs will have bragging rights. The club who bows out early will be subject to ridicule, given the money that was spent.

NYCFC is spending around $20 million on their three designated players’ annual wages. Andrea Pirlo is earning $8 million annually, according to Doug McIntyre of ESPN FC. Lampard is on $6 million a year, as is Spanish striker David Villa. Playoffs will be the minimum requirement given this investment.

The Galaxy will be paying Dos Santos around $6 million a year, as noted by Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times. It's also believed to be around the same amount Gerrard will make.

The Galaxy will be under immense pressure if they don’t win MLS Cup. Jack Randall of Odds Shark tipped L.A. as the favorite for the title this year. The club has the same goal.

There’s no reason why the Galaxy shouldn’t be favorites. Robbie Keane is healthy again and will be a threat up front, especially with these new signings.

Gerrard will start alongside Juninho in the center of midfield, but will be the attacking option judging by the friendly versus Club America on July 11 and the U.S. Open Cup match against Real Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Dos Santos will add pace, vision and goalscoring from the flank and maybe even through the middle, which has been lacking at times without Landon Donovan.

It will take time for these new additions to adjust to their new teammates, MLS' grueling travel schedule and the weather, but that's normal at this time of year.

It’s traditionally been difficult for summer signings to settle into MLS. Even Thierry Henry and David Beckham had rough starts to their careers in North America. However, others such as Keane and Jermaine Jones started strong.

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena revealed that Gerrard will be eased into the lineup, via Adam Serrano on the team’s official website. "He is probably about a month away from being fit enough to play a full match," Arena said after the Galaxy's International Champions Cup match against Club America.

"It will take some games. It doesn't come from training; he will have to play some matches, and we will try to slowly build him into that, but from what I could see tonight it was a good 45 minutes from him."

Jason Kreis will likely be utilizing the same plan with Lampard and Pirlo, especially after the former picked up a minor injury.

What's unknown is where each NYCFC player will be positioned once they're fit. Pirlo usually occupies a deep-lying role, so Lampard may be deployed further up the field. Mix Diskerud would likely play on one edge of the diamond with either Andrew Jacobson and Ned Grabavoy on the opposite side.

With Los Angeles Football Club entering the league in 2018, the reigning MLS Cup winners needed to make an impact. NYCFC snapped up Pirlo so the club can compete with the other professional teams in the area.

It was fitting that the Galaxy and NYCFC unveiled superstars on the same day. These two clubs are the headliners in MLS and will be heavily critiqued over the coming months.

It's going to be intriguing to see which side finishes the season stronger.

Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @GalindoPW.

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Kaka—still got it!

The Brazil legend showed his class on Wednesday night by scoring a superb solo goal for Orlando City against Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in a friendly. 

Orlando, who are in the middle of their MLS campaign, won the match 3-1. 

[Twitter: @OrlandoCitySC]

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Giovani dos Santos has joined LA Galaxy after the MLS club initially reported it had agreed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the former Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal attacker. The news was confirmed by Galaxy's official Twitter feed:

Dos Santos is currently representing Mexico at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and will join his new teammates after the tournament's conclusion.

Galaxy manager Bruce Arena had confirmed the signing a little before it was officially ratified, per a report from Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times (h/t Goal's Thomas Floyd).

Arena had spoken about the need for a mature approach from a player who hasn't delivered on his immense potential and talent: "It’s going to be a challenge for him. He's not been at a club yet where he's had those kind of responsibilities. And he's in a community where he's going to be sought after. He's going to have to be mature about it."

Arena's words ring true. Dos Santos can light up the MLS if he fully applies himself. This is a player blessed with a natural flair and technical quality that makes him stand out in attack.

His guile in the final third will be a major boost for Los Angeles. In fact, Arena is already anticipating the gifted 26-year-old forward adding qualities that have been missing from Galaxy's attacking play in recent seasons.

He's pinpointed what exactly Dos Santos will mean for LA's forward line, per another report from Kevin Baxter:

He has the individual flair that sometimes we lack in the final third of the field. His running off the ball's good. He can go by people. He has an excellent first touch. He's a finisher. He can pass.

He's got all those great little qualities in and around the penalty area.

Dos Santos' creative touch can form a potentially lethal combination with former Premier League stars Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane. Ex-Liverpool skipper Gerrard is a marquee signing for Galaxy, while veteran striker Keane has been a major hit since swapping Spurs for California.

Gerrard's passing range and vision, along with Keane's quickness and sly movement, should torment MLS defences. Now, though, the threat is even greater.

Dos Santos will be the link between Gerrard firing passes from deep and Keane converting chances. It will be the former Villarreal man's clever touches and stylish through passes that most often set Keane free in and around the box.

The role of chief advanced creator suits Dos Santos. He's never been a prolific goalscorer, finding the net a mere five times for Villarreal in all competitions last season, according to WhoScored.com.

But the Mexico star has always maintained the excellent technique, subtle movement and thoughtful passing every team that plays a combination game needs.

Putting those talents together with Gerrard and Keane has meant taking advantage of a new rule in the MLS. Baxter noted how a change in spending has created the platform for Galaxy to finally sign Santos:

The Galaxy's three designated player spots are currently occupied by Gerrard, reigning league MVP Robbie Keane and U.S. national team defender Omar Gonzalez. But last week the league adopted new rules that essentially allow teams to use special "allocation money” to pay down the salary of DPs, creating a new slot to sign another player at a higher salary.

On the pitch, this is a hugely significant transfer. But the deal has plenty of reach off the field as well.

It's being seen as a major statement of intent by the MLS. Specifically, an endorsement of the current standard of the league and its desirability as a destination for prominent and younger players.

That would represent a major change from the over-the-hill gang that's trudged its way from Europe to the U.S. ever since Soccer landed in the States. Dos Santos moving while he still has his best years ahead of him could be the start of something new.

It's the view taken by ESPN FC scribe Andrea Canales. Before all the i's were officially dotted and the t's crossed, she heralded the transfer as the start of a new trend for Major League Soccer:

The signing of Giovani dos Santos by the Los Angeles Galaxy, if it happens, would represent a new phase for all involved -- the team, the player and Major League Soccer. Bringing in a new star in his prime to a country where a large media and fan contingent can watch him flourish is an important advance for a league looking to shake off the label of retirement destination.

Whether or not Canales' words prove prophetic will be determined by Dos Santos' success in Los Angeles. That will depend on a player who's so often flattered to deceive finally putting it altogether.

If he does, Dos Santos can be the star of Major League Soccer for the next decade.

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