Round 13 Captain Picks
Round 13 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 Miami and vs. Montreal
While Gil was a bit of a let down in Round 12 with just 7 points (not terrible, but not great), he’s a front-runner for captain this week due to the bonus point potentials from the opposing team’s defensive matchups. Both Miami and Montreal have leaked plenty of goals this season and with Buksa and Bou clicking up-top, as the offensive string-puller Gil has a great opportunity to get on the scoresheet along with his consistent bonus point production. While captaining Carlos does feel a little chalkboard, he’s a strong option this round.
Vela / LAFC / $9.4m / at Portland and vs Vancouver
In my captain’s article last round I asked if Vela was back. Well, with a goal and 5 BPs (and -2 from a missed PK that should’ve given him a brace) Vela’s team of the week performance showed he is very much back. LAFC seem to be finally clicking both defensively and offensively, which has given Vela the opportunity to be, well, Vela. This round he’s facing two defenses in the bottom 5 of the league, so barring any unplanned roster rotation, this should/could be Vela’s week to fully bounce back.
Mukhtar / Nashville / $10m / at Columbus and vs Cincinnati
Fastest hat trick in MLS history. MLS Player of the Week. Hany Mukhtar had himself a showing last round. The Nashville #10 has notched 2 assists and 4 goals in the past 5 games, edging out Leal as the fantasy favorite for Nashville’s midfield. A contributing factor in Mukhtar’s rise in fantasy rank seems to be his positional change to striker next to the also hot CJ Sapong. With the two in that role I consider Mukhtar a must own, but slipping him the armband this week could prove to be a solid differential. While no player has ever gone back-to-back weeks with hat tricks, several have had a brace and tres in two weeks (Josef, Zlatan, Chicharito). While I’m not completely sold that Mukhtar is in the same company as those players, his home game vs Cincinnati makes it incredibly possible.