This article is part of our The Armband series.
Sometimes being smart doesn't always work in life. It especially doesn't always work in MLS Fantasy MLS. David Villa was a late scratch just before last weekend's game, which meant that anyone who had him captained but didn't have internet access on St. Patrick's Day was likely left with a dud. That's kind of how it goes in MLS. Villa wasn't even listed on the team's injury report yet was declared out only an hour before the match. That's how secretive MLS coaches are, and that's been the case for a long time.
Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it. There is something we can do about everyone else. Federico Higuain and Aleksandar Katai were complete busts as neither player's team did much in road matches. I don't know why I was tempted. In Week 3, home teams won seven matches and drew the other two. Backing players at home is usually the No. 1 goal when looking for a captain, but the play of Columbus had me looking at different avenues.
I'd say I won't suggest captaining another player on the road for the rest of the season, but there are only six matches in Week 4, which undoubtedly means there will be some viable choices away from home.
That leads me to league-leading NYC FC, which are at New England. With Villa's status still in question, the safest pick has to be Maximiliano Moralez, who has had a great start to the season with 27 fantasy points in three matches. Even when he didn't make the score sheet, he still found value through key passes, crosses and recovered balls. The only other player in a road match that I'm considering for the armband is Felipe Gutierrez, and that's still a stretch. Gutierrez already has three goals this season, but more importantly he has done a little bit of everything else for SKC in the midfield.
My top captains are from teams playing at home with Columbus (v. D.C. United) and New York (v. Minnesota) in the most favorable spots. Higuain disappointed last week, but I'm not counting on that to happen again, especially against D.C. I'm betting on two goals at a minimum for the Crew, with Gyasi Zardes back in the picture as well. Zardes already has three goals leading the Crew's attack. I gravitated toward Crew defenders a couple weeks ago, but that backfired, so this time I'll only suggest Jonathan Mensah and Harrison Afful with hopes of a clean sheet.
It's a little harder to pick a captain from the Red Bulls, but the last time they were at home for a league match it ended in a 4-0 win. Minnesota have won their last two, but I'm not sold on the Loons just yet. Kaku and Carlos Rivas have started recent league matches, though without any midweek Champions League games to worry about, this may be a good spot to roll with Bradley Wright-Phillips. He could be somewhat of a differential, but he's produced in every appearance this season, namely in CCL. Otherwise, Vincent Bezecourt should at least be considered because he's one of the few Red Bulls who is close to a guarantee for 90 minutes. As a deep midfielder that does a little bit of everything, he's worth a look.
Dallas are coming off an impressive 3-0 win against Seattle and now host Portland, so that may not be a bad place to turn. Roland Lamah was the man of the match against the Sounders, but I'm not willing to trust him, especially after not starting the first match of the season. Mauro Diaz may be the safe pick with 15 fantasy points in two matches even though only three of those points came from a goal or assist. Maximiliano Urruti has played a full 90 in both matches and is usually the guy you want to bet on to score in this attack.
Vancouver is probably the only other side I'd consider for a captain, even though its early schedule has been all over the place from Houston to home to Atlanta and now back home again. At the least, the Galaxy haven't shown a ton in their two matches and will be missing up to 10 players through injury, suspension and international duty. After not traveling to Atlanta, I'm hoping Kei Kamara returns to the lineup for this one, already with two goals and an assist in his two matches. He may not play a full 90, but he has more goal potential than Alphonso Davies, while Cristian Techera hasn't played the last two matches.
