2021 Round 12 Captain Picks

Round 12 Captain Picks

Round 12 is the last round of Champions League Qualifiers pt. II and if you’re hoping to make the leap (or if you’re one of the elite, stay put) in the top 50 then your captain choice is crucial this week. Here are my top 3 choices for the armband:

Carlos Gil / New England / $12.9m / at Atlanta

The last time the 5-stripes saw Carlos Gil, he put up 17 Fantasy points and the Revolution won 2-1. In that game, Atlanta put out a (mostly) first choice starting XI. This week, Atlanta will be without most of their ideal starters while New England is missing only Buchanan (MID) and Turner (GK). With a goal, minutes played and 4 bonus points last week, Gil seems to have gotten over his two week slump of the uncharacteristic 4 pts and 3 pts. While playing in Mercedes Benz is not always a simple task, Atlanta will be without too many important defensive pieces to stop the Rev’s playmaker. The chalkboard (and most logical) choice this week is ACG.

Vela / LAFC / $8.9m / vs Real Salt Lake

Is he finally back? Honestly, it’s too soon to tell. But with 4 assists in the last 5 outings, Vela is getting on the stat sheet consistently for the first time all season. While the bonus point production is still not the Vela of old, the opportunity for Carlitos is definitely there this week. While LAFC only scored one goal away at Rio Tinto two rounds prior, RSL has only held a shutout twice this season (both times at home). The offense of the Black and Gold seems to finally be clicking and when goals fall for LAFC, odds are Vela will be a contributing factor.

Michael Barrios / Colorado Rapids / $8.3m / vs San Jose Earthquakes

While our patron Boss of MLS Fantasy will despise this choice, Barrios has been quietly consistent recently. The MLS journeyman has gotten a goal or assist in each of his last 6 games (except for an off week away at SKC) along with a scattering of bonus points. While his floor isn’t quite as high as some other midfielders (Nani, Zelarayan, etc) his matchup this week makes his ceiling appealing. San Jose’s defense has been nothing short of abysmal, which leaves the door wide open for Barrios to have himself a week.