Your 2013 Philadelphia Union captain is...

Assuming El Capitan goes out on loan to Independente Santa Fe, who do you see as a captain?

(These are all my low soccer IQ opinion)

Favorites:

Amobi Okugo: If memory serves, he captained the U-23 team for a tournament last summer or something. If I'm incorrect, he's always struck me as the type of person that's a natural leader.

Brian Carroll: He's one of the more experienced guys on the squad, been in the league a long time. He's probably the favorite to get the armband, imo.

Dark Horses:

Zac MacMath: I could see them giving him the armband as a sort of confidence boost, which imo is exactly what he needs. Reason he's a dark horse is because he's probably too young for it, and needs to earn his leadership and not be handed it.

Freddy Adu: If he really is the locker room distraction that's been rumored, then he's got no shot. If they really want to run the offense through him and see what he can do with their new toys, then giving him the captaincy would be a great move, imo.

Derp. 2013 captain. Not 2012. Mod fix, plz?

Amobi and zac are too young and inexperienced with club to be captains. I think Brian Carroll is a lock if Danny Cruz is too busy

If Valdes isn't here, and Carroll is, he'll be the captain.

If Carroll is moved too, then I could see them giving it to Le Toux. I like the Okugo idea, but I think he's still a year or two away. Last year was his first time getting real playing time.

What about Sheanon?

I agree here, however the Captain is usually in a central role. With the exception of Davy Arnaud (RM), Landon Don (Wing/Striker) the list from 2012 are central players. GK, CDM, CM,CAM, Striker.

Carroll, definitely. (IMO he'd be a better captain than Valdes) If he's gone too then I can see Amobi getting it.

1. Carroll
2. Williams
3. Le Toux

If Carroll is moved too, then I think Hackworth has some work to do in finding a captain and our "few additions" became a major makeover all of a sudden. Not even sure to whom I would turn. Parke?

If Valdes is out, it's definitely Cruz.

wich will get him closer to be our first DP. oh Cruz, what do you know about Hack that we don't?

Carroll
Casey
Parke
Williams
Le Toux

That video, much like every other video the Union has ever produced, is both funny and atrocious. I think Hackworth likes Cruz because no one works harder or is faster than Cruz at getting Hack's morning coffee.

A forward as your captian usually doesn't make much sense--it tends to be a more isolated position in a formation. You want your captian to be involved in a lot of the action. Of course there are exceptions, where exemplary forwards provide the most experience and leadership on your team. Typically, however, it is desirable to have a captain who can see the whole field in front of him, can be a leader for the entire pitch. That is why many captains are defenders or even midfielders.

I would choose someone in the back, or even Carroll (though I'm skeptical about Carroll being the best option we have at midfield in all game situations).

For Captain my list would be like this
1. Valdes, he is the current captain and started to improve his English and I don't want him gone for an extended period of time.
2. Carroll, might not be as vocal as you might want but is a solid, smart player who has plenty of experience
3. Parke, new to the team but is a veteran CB in MLS added bonus is he is from the area
4. Le Toux, previous fan favorite brought back and has leadership qualities
5. any number of our young players could be put here, namely Okugo but someone could step up and earn it

What sort of captain leaves his club to go on a loan? I'd pull the armband now and give it directly to Carroll.

lucky for the U his name is not beckham. They will not approve it.

What if he was only to miss a week or of the season? Is it wrong then? What if he was not to miss any league games? Is it wrong for him to want to play for his country to get to the WC? What if it helped him grow as a player?

Personally I don't want our 4th captain in four years. We need to start growing the team instead of shuffling the deck at the start of the season. As it stands right now Valdes deserves to be the captain and until he misses time because he is on another team you shouldn't strip him of it.

tBG indicating Peckerman has recommended Valdes to Boca.
Stay tuned.

With the currently constructed roster Brian Carroll is the no brainer choice.

The only other real option is Sheanon Williams who has put it on the line for us every game since the year of the Zolo and who has grown into probably thee vocal leader of the club.

Agreed. He's a hothead, which I like about him. But that's not captain material.

Seems as though the U are not interested in a loan of over 3 months. I doubt Boca would be interested in a loan of less than six. Just doesn't smell right on all fronts.

Not a loan.............