Captain America is the most trusted hero in the Marvel Universe. A skilled leader and tactician, Captain America has proven over the years that he can handle any threat, be it an army of lackeys, supervillains, or cosmic threats with the Avengers. Armed with his unbreakable shield and super-soldier serum enhancements, Captain America has proven to be one of the most formidable heroes ever.
Of course, like any hero, Captain America has taken a lot of pretty brutal beatings over the years, but he always bounces back. That said, there are plenty of villains who should have taken him down over the years but haven't been able, more because of themselves than him.
10 Should Be Able To Beat Captain America: M.O.D.O.K.
M.O.D.O.K, the Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing, was created by the evil super scientists of A.I.M. Armed with superhuman intelligence and powerful psionic powers, M.O.D.O.K. looks kind of ridiculous but is one of Cap's most dangerous foes, with a skill set that makes him hard for Cap to counter.
M.O.D.O.K. should be able to take Cap out. He's much smarter than the Star-Spangled Avenger and his psionic powers give him the ability to not only attack at range but also mess with Cap's mind, taking away one of Cap's greatest weapons--his unrivaled tactical skill.
9 Why He Can't Beat Captain America: He Never Gives It His All
M.O.D.O.K.'s biggest problem fighting Captain America is that M.O.D.O.K. underestimates Cap. Cap is strong-willed, but his resistance to mental attacks like the one that M.O.D.O.K. can throw at him is pretty limited. Most of the time, M.O.D.O.K. tries to outsmart Cap and while he's certainly smart enough, Cap is used to someone trying this with him.
If M.O.D.O.K. went at Cap with his full psionic might instead of trying to use elaborate plans against him, he'd have a much better chance of winning. But of course, M.O.D.O.K. likes to prove just how crafty he can be and that's a huge mistake.
8 Should Be Able To Beat Captain America: Hydra
Hydra has been around for years, working in the shadows, trying to subvert freedom and destroy America. The organization is huge, boasting many members, ranging from the run of the mill grunts to more skilled and deadly operatives to the leadership, often the deadliest members of Hydra.
While Cap has always beat him, there really should be no way he triumphs. They have the manpower to overwhelm him and the tactical knowledge to overwhelm him. It's strange for a group whose motto is, "Cut off one head and two more take its place," that they never just throw everything, all at once at Captain America.
7 Why They Can't Beat Captain America: Arrogance & Ignorance
The biggest problem with Hydra is that they believe in their superiority as a group. No matter how many times they get beat by Captain America, they believe that their next plan is going to be the one to gain them victory. Instead of just doing things the simple way and throwing everything at Cap, they honestly believe that their plans are so great that they'll succeed.
This arrogance has cost them. In trying to prove their superiority, they always sow the seeds of their own downfall. If they just swallowed their pride and did the simple thing, Cap would have been dead long ago. Instead, they allow their arrogance to get the best of them.
6 Should Be Able To Beat Captain America: Baron Blood
One of Captain America's most underrated villains, Baron Blood is a British vampire who fought against his own country in both WWI and WWII. Armed with all of the powers that vampires are known for having, he was made to be an extremely formidable opponent. Having been fighting against Cap since WWII, Baron Blood knows more about fighting him than most.
Baron Blood has Captain America beat in every category, including experience, which isn't something that Cap has to deal with often. It's this edge that will make the biggest difference in the fight, as Blood knows just what to do to take him down. He could use his super-speed to take Cap down in seconds.
5 Why He Can't Beat Captain America: He Underestimates Cap
Many superpowered foes underestimate Captain America and Baron Blood is no exception. While his powers are one of the main reasons he can defeat Cap, he never uses them to their full extent because he doesn't think he needs to. Baron Blood treats Cap like just about any other soldier he's fought against and that's a huge problem.
If Baron Blood would realize how much of a threat Cap actually is, he would take the whole thing more seriously and not give Cap the chance the Star Spangled Avenger needs to take down the vampire. However, he believes that he's so much better that he always messes up, allowing Cap the chance he needs to win.
4 Should Be Able To Beat Captain America: Taskmaster
Taskmaster is one of the foremost mercenaries in the Marvel Universe. Armed with photographic reflexes, he can repeat any action he's ever seen. This gives him just about unparalleled fighting skill as Taskmaster has gone up against some of the best fighters in the Marvel Universe. He also carries a variety of weapons that allow him to take advantage of all of the skills he's learned over the years.
Cap is one of the best fighters around but Taskmaster has not only battled him and memorized his moves, but so many others. He should be able to overwhelm Cap with his skills rather easily as even though Cap is his physical superior, and a better fighter can usually beat a stronger opponent.
3 Why He Can't Beat Captain America: He's Kind Of Scared Of Cap
Taskmaster is one of the best fighters around but he's also taken a lot of beatings over the years, including many at the hands of Captain America. This has given him a healthy fear of Cap, one that stops him from really giving it all against him. Taskmaster would rather not fight Cap at all if he had a choice.
If Taskmaster just got over his fear of Cap and went up against him with as much gusto as possible, he should be able to easily take him down. With his marksmanship skills alone, he should be able to snipe with an arrow from long range. Taskmaster has way too many options to win and his fear of Cap holds him back.
2 Should Be Able To Beat Captain America: Red Skull
Easily Captain America's greatest nemesis, Red Skull and Cap have had some tremendous brawls over the years. The two men have been battling each other since WWII, each the diametric opposite of the other--Cap, the ultimate defender of freedom, and Red Skull, a racist fascist. Red Skull's hatred and jealousy of Cap's perfect Aryan looks have even spurred him to use clone bodies of Cap to inhabit.
Red Skull usually brings a whole lot more to the fight than Cap and this alone should allow him to win. Red Skull is a master planner and as good as Cap as at strategy, Red Skull's skills should allow him to fool even Captain America. Plus, on top of that, Red Skull has no qualms about using biological weapons or such.
1 Why He Can't Beat Captain America: He Wants Cap To Die By His Hand
Red Skull's problem in fighting Cap is that he wants Cap to know he was the one who beat him. He wants to watch. It's no coincidence that the one time he was responsible for Cap's death, it was due to an elaborate plan that barely involved him- if he stays hands-off and manipulates everything to the best of his ability, he'll win.
His tendency to want Cap to know it's him behind it and watch the Star-Spangled Avenger die hamstrings most of his plans, giving Cap the time he needs to overcome Red Skull.