2019 Round 12 Captain’s Conundrum

Round 12 has a few potential MVP candidates with double games this week and provides a plethora of unique choices for those who want to move up the ranks.

1) Carlos Vela

He is expected to be the most popular captain pick this week by a mile and there is little doubt about why. He is the golden boot leader at this point with 12 goals to go along with 6 assists. He is also the leader in the MVP race and these double games against FC Dallas (2 cleansheets in 11 games) is another opportunity for him to further push his credentials for MVP.

2) Alejandro Pozuelo

Mr. Consistent has been on fire this season with 5 goals and 6 assists in just 8 games this season. I believe that people will be hesitant to pick him as captain this week because he got only 3 points against Atlanta United last week but there is no reason to be afraid because that was his first score below 6 this season. Games against D.C. United and Real Salt Lake should just be another walk in the park and double digit points for him. The only thing that you must be careful of is Pozuelo possibly being rested after playing 90+ minutes in 7 consecutive games which included the double game week which was last week.

3) Alberth Elis

“La Panthera” has the best fixtures on paper this week with home games against Portland Timbers and D.C. United. If that isn’t enough, he is also in the top 5 xG this season and has an assist in each of the past two games. So he has decent form coming into the double game week as well. I must mention that the captain picks except the top two are boom or bust. It’s mostly an option to those who want to take the risk and move quickly up the ranks but those who want to deviate from the crowd are free to do so as well.

4) Nicolas Lodeiro

He would be a more favorable captain pick this week if he wasn’t on suspension watch. A yellow card against Orlando City at home and Lodeiro won’t make the trip to Philadelphia. Even though he has been inconsistent in terms of form, he should have better numbers this week with the injury to Victor Rodriguez and the return of Raul Ruidiaz.

5) Mark-Anthony Kaye

Mark-Anthony Kaye has been phenomenal for LAFC this season and still remains as a high floor option for me this week. He has 3 goals and 5 assists so far and could possibly add to his tally this week. This spot could’ve easily been taken by teammate Eduard Atuesta if he wasn’t on suspension watch.