The Whitecaps will be tested by another of Major League Soccers newest superstars on Saturday. They will travel to Orlando City, where Kaka has orchestrated an exciting beginning to the brand new franchise.
They have taken 4 out of a possible 6 points so far, and they haven't had it easy, either. They opened their season in Yankee Stadium, where they spoiled New York City's party and earned a draw against David Villa and the boys. The next week they played Houston Dynamo at home and got their first win. So now, in week 3, Orlando are co-leaders of the Eastern Conference.
It is not always clear how good an expansion team is going to be, but it two short weeks Orlando City have made it clear that they are a legitimate threat in the East. They boast a player in 32-year-old Kaka who eight years ago was named the best footballer in the entire world, beating out Cristiano Ronaldo for the 2007 Ballon d'Or.
And although his career has cooled of significantly since, he is still an immense talent who seems to be finding his stride again in North America. He is a world class dribbler, able to create space on his own before his vision and passing ability takes over. To say he was built for MLS would be an insult, but nobody can argue that his counter-attacking prowess lends itself very well to the style of soccer played over here.
As far as his performance so far, he has not disappointed. His tallies of 4 shots and 2.5 key passes per game are both in the top 15 among MLS players. He does have a goal to his name, albeit off a lucky deflection on a set piece delivery. More importantly, his peripheral numbers suggest his learning curve will be relatively gentle; he has already begun to make an immediate impact in MLS.
To put it simply, Vancouver have their hands full this weekend. They have already failed a similar test in their home opener, where Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore ran all over the Whitecaps defenders en route to a 3-1 loss. And that was at BC Place.
To contain a player of Kaka's caliber away from home the Caps will need to show dramatic improvement. Yes, they kept a clean sheet in Chicago last week, but this Orlando City team is a cut above the Fire. We should get a feel this weekend for how good, or bad, this Whitecaps defense really is.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Rivero Looks Like the Missing Piece
The Whitecaps should consider themselves lucky that Octavio Rivero is finding his form this quickly with his new club. Otherwise nobody else would score.
In an all-too-familiar storyline, the Whitecaps created countless chances in Chicago, and missed them when it seemed impossible not to put the ball into the net. Even centrepiece Pedro Morales looked pedestrian when the ball fell to him, whiffing on two prime scoring opportunities on the night. We've seen this movie and know how it ends: another disappointing draw on the road.
But Rivero is flipping the script.
When all seemed lost, he scored an 86th minute tally to seal 3 points on the road. And not just your average, scrappy MLS goal where the ball is crossed into the box, bounces off three defenders, and falls to a forwards feet on the goal line. No, Rivero hit Beitashour's pass first time, and finished neatly into the bottom-left corner. A true striker's goal.
In fact, aside from a major gaffe in the home opener, where he failed to score a tap-in, Rivero has looked as close to clinical as any player the Caps have had. Yes, including Camilo. Rivero is not blazing fast, setting him apart from every other Whitecaps forward since Hassli. But what he lacks in pace, he makes up for in technical ability.
In build up play he has a great feel for whether to make that piercing run or to stop short and help retain possession. He is certainly not the type to run at defenders with the ball, only to eventually be closed down before he can make his mind up to shoot or pass.
Vancouver is used to watching that type of player, Manneh, Hurtado, and Mattocks are prime examples. And, quite frankly, we are sick of it. Rivero is smart. He has a feel for attacking beyond dribbling the ball around defenders. He understands how an offense passes into way into the box. When he and Morales start to build some chemistry, you can be sure they will make sweet music together in the final third.
And maybe that is his most valuable asset. He finally provides Pedro Morales with a creative partner, not just a moving target for through balls. And even when Morales is having a stinker like he did in Chicago, it's no big deal. Octavio Rivero's there to bail him out, too.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Whitecaps Attackers Must Prove Themselves in Chicago
The biggest question ahead of this season was whether or not Vancouver could score more goals. After a loss to TFC in their season opener, the question remains unanswered.
The Caps were exposed as a potentially one-dimensional counter attacking team. Although they looked potent in the first half, scoring once on a long through ball delivered to Octavio Rivero, Toronto were able to contain Vancouver speed down the flanks after a half-time adjustment. Carl Robinson's side were forced to play a possession game, keeping the passes short and trying to methodically break down the Red's back line.
The results were not good. They seemed to lack creativity with the ball, passing only to keep possession until they were ultimately closed down. No threatening balls into the box, no playing their forwards through on goal. TFC, in no danger of conceding a goal, just waited for their turn with the ball and attacked with the intent that the Whitecaps were lacking.
Is this a correctable problem? Can Robinson fiddle with his tactics and unearth a more balanced offensive scheme? Or was the frustration of last Saturday's match an ominous sign of things to come? This weeks trip to Chicago will likely give us an inkling either way.
Let's face it, the Chicago Fire are a team Vancouver should score goals against. The Fire conceded 51 times last year, tied for the 6th worst record in the league, on their way to finishing second last in the weak Eastern Conference.
And while there was plenty of turnover in their roster leading up to this season, Chicago looks less like a club whose offseason moves have poised them for success, and more like one who is struggling to find its identity. It their opening fixture in Los Angeles, they were outmatched by the Galaxy on paper and eventually on the pitch.
It was a 2-0 loss for Chicago during which LA attempted to shoot an astonishing eight times within the 18-yard box. By comparison, the Seattle Sounders only took five shots inside the box in their dominant 3-0 victory against the lowly Revolution.
This is all basically to say that Chicago does not defend very well. The Whitecaps need to show they can take advantage, especially on the road. They scored 15 times in 17 road matches, and that rate will need to improve dramatically if they want to make the playoffs comfortably this time around.
That improvement must begin tonight, because if they cannot score against the weaker teams on the road, they do not stand a chance against the West's better sides.
The Caps were exposed as a potentially one-dimensional counter attacking team. Although they looked potent in the first half, scoring once on a long through ball delivered to Octavio Rivero, Toronto were able to contain Vancouver speed down the flanks after a half-time adjustment. Carl Robinson's side were forced to play a possession game, keeping the passes short and trying to methodically break down the Red's back line.
The results were not good. They seemed to lack creativity with the ball, passing only to keep possession until they were ultimately closed down. No threatening balls into the box, no playing their forwards through on goal. TFC, in no danger of conceding a goal, just waited for their turn with the ball and attacked with the intent that the Whitecaps were lacking.
Is this a correctable problem? Can Robinson fiddle with his tactics and unearth a more balanced offensive scheme? Or was the frustration of last Saturday's match an ominous sign of things to come? This weeks trip to Chicago will likely give us an inkling either way.
Let's face it, the Chicago Fire are a team Vancouver should score goals against. The Fire conceded 51 times last year, tied for the 6th worst record in the league, on their way to finishing second last in the weak Eastern Conference.
And while there was plenty of turnover in their roster leading up to this season, Chicago looks less like a club whose offseason moves have poised them for success, and more like one who is struggling to find its identity. It their opening fixture in Los Angeles, they were outmatched by the Galaxy on paper and eventually on the pitch.
It was a 2-0 loss for Chicago during which LA attempted to shoot an astonishing eight times within the 18-yard box. By comparison, the Seattle Sounders only took five shots inside the box in their dominant 3-0 victory against the lowly Revolution.
This is all basically to say that Chicago does not defend very well. The Whitecaps need to show they can take advantage, especially on the road. They scored 15 times in 17 road matches, and that rate will need to improve dramatically if they want to make the playoffs comfortably this time around.
That improvement must begin tonight, because if they cannot score against the weaker teams on the road, they do not stand a chance against the West's better sides.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Are the 'Caps That Bad, or are TFC That Good?
Overreacting after the season opener is a time-honoured tradition, so let's try to take the 3-1 thrashing at BC Place with a grain of salt.
Yes, the Whitecaps looked horrible coming out of half-time, lacking the counter-attacking punch they flaunted early in the match. And sure, they looked like boys playing against men, against an opponent who had never won a league game in Vancouver. A loss to Toronto FC is never easy to stomach, given their history of futility in MLS.
However, viewing the result as a knock against Vancouver is a bit narrow-minded. Judging by the Red's display on Saturday night, losing to TFC is no longer shameful. They finally look like the real deal.
It is too easy to write off Toronto, eight year playoff drought aside. They famously made an offseason splash before last season, assembling their star trio of Gilberto, Michael Bradley, and Jermain Defoe. We know how that turned out.
What makes this year different? In a word, stability.
2014 was anything but stable in Toronto. Brazilian Striker Gilberto failed to adjust to the North American style of soccer, scoring just 7 goals with TFC before being loaned out the following winter. And then there was Defoe.
What motivated him to sign for Major League Soccer turned out to be his Achilles heel. He simply wanted to showcase himself against weaker competition, in hopes of making the England World Cup squad. His scheme failed, he missed out on Brazil 2014, and he proceeded to coast through the rest of the MLS campaign. He went as far as to exaggerate injury in order to stay in England, shirking his responsibility to play out the rest of the TFC schedule. Simply put, his heart was never in it.
So Defoe the diva is now gone, as is Gilberto. In their place, Jozy Altidore returns from a stint in the Premier League to play striker, and their midfield boasts their most tantalizing signing yet: Sebastian Giovinco, formerly of Juventus.
So why does their new core stand a chance when their old one crashed and burned? Because their new pieces are a much better fit, for Toronto and for MLS.
They brought back Michael Bradley, an American international with playing experience in MLS. Then they recruited Altidore, another American who began his career in MLS. No learning curve required. Giovinco is the fresh face of the group, having played professionally exclusively in Italy.
But the early evidence suggests Giovinco will have a much greater impact than Defoe. His speed game lends itself well to North America, as did Defoe's. What sets him apart is where his priorities lie. He wants to be here. Playing in MLS is not just a paycheque and a publicity stunt for him. In fact, he was so excited to begin this chapter in his career, he convinced Juventus to let him leave for Toronto early. He wanted to be here in time for the start of the season. Expect him to be in Toronto for a few more opening days to come.
Of course, there is always a little doubt when a team goes through so much turnover. It often takes time for a new group of players to mesh, especially in a game as reliant on teamwork as soccer. TFC is no exception, there will inevitably be some growing pains early on. But if we needed reassurance that this team will eventually figure it out, an assist from Giovinco and a brace from Altidore on Saturday should put the rest of the league on high-alert.
Is there still reason for concern after the Whitecaps were dominated at home? There sure is. Their attack looked one-dimensional, and once TFC took the edge off the counter-attack, Vancouver was toothless. But there is no reason to panic. Chances are the 'Caps were simply outmatched by a side who should be among the league's finest.
Yes, the Whitecaps looked horrible coming out of half-time, lacking the counter-attacking punch they flaunted early in the match. And sure, they looked like boys playing against men, against an opponent who had never won a league game in Vancouver. A loss to Toronto FC is never easy to stomach, given their history of futility in MLS.
However, viewing the result as a knock against Vancouver is a bit narrow-minded. Judging by the Red's display on Saturday night, losing to TFC is no longer shameful. They finally look like the real deal.
It is too easy to write off Toronto, eight year playoff drought aside. They famously made an offseason splash before last season, assembling their star trio of Gilberto, Michael Bradley, and Jermain Defoe. We know how that turned out.
What makes this year different? In a word, stability.
2014 was anything but stable in Toronto. Brazilian Striker Gilberto failed to adjust to the North American style of soccer, scoring just 7 goals with TFC before being loaned out the following winter. And then there was Defoe.
What motivated him to sign for Major League Soccer turned out to be his Achilles heel. He simply wanted to showcase himself against weaker competition, in hopes of making the England World Cup squad. His scheme failed, he missed out on Brazil 2014, and he proceeded to coast through the rest of the MLS campaign. He went as far as to exaggerate injury in order to stay in England, shirking his responsibility to play out the rest of the TFC schedule. Simply put, his heart was never in it.
So Defoe the diva is now gone, as is Gilberto. In their place, Jozy Altidore returns from a stint in the Premier League to play striker, and their midfield boasts their most tantalizing signing yet: Sebastian Giovinco, formerly of Juventus.
So why does their new core stand a chance when their old one crashed and burned? Because their new pieces are a much better fit, for Toronto and for MLS.
They brought back Michael Bradley, an American international with playing experience in MLS. Then they recruited Altidore, another American who began his career in MLS. No learning curve required. Giovinco is the fresh face of the group, having played professionally exclusively in Italy.
But the early evidence suggests Giovinco will have a much greater impact than Defoe. His speed game lends itself well to North America, as did Defoe's. What sets him apart is where his priorities lie. He wants to be here. Playing in MLS is not just a paycheque and a publicity stunt for him. In fact, he was so excited to begin this chapter in his career, he convinced Juventus to let him leave for Toronto early. He wanted to be here in time for the start of the season. Expect him to be in Toronto for a few more opening days to come.
Of course, there is always a little doubt when a team goes through so much turnover. It often takes time for a new group of players to mesh, especially in a game as reliant on teamwork as soccer. TFC is no exception, there will inevitably be some growing pains early on. But if we needed reassurance that this team will eventually figure it out, an assist from Giovinco and a brace from Altidore on Saturday should put the rest of the league on high-alert.
Is there still reason for concern after the Whitecaps were dominated at home? There sure is. Their attack looked one-dimensional, and once TFC took the edge off the counter-attack, Vancouver was toothless. But there is no reason to panic. Chances are the 'Caps were simply outmatched by a side who should be among the league's finest.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Top 3 Things to Watch in 2015
The Vancouver Whitecaps open their MLS campaign against Toronto FC for the third time in their brief history in North America’s top flight. The most famous meeting was Vancouver’s ultra-hyped inaugural MLS game. Four years later Whitecaps FC are preparing for their most anticipated season since that sunny afternoon at Empire Stadium.
Back then it was embarking on a new journey. Now it’s about a young franchise coming into it’s own. With a dynamic young core already proven capable of making the playoffs, the next step for this team is to contend for the MLS Cup. Maybe this is the year they take that step.
Or maybe not. With youth comes uncertainty, and there has been no shortage of that around BC Place in the leadup to March. Major League Soccer is confusing by nature, so understandably there is some doubt over whether or not this team is the real deal.
Let’s try to make some sense of this enigmatic team, playing in this unpredictable league. Here are the three biggest storylines as the 2015 season kicks off.
1. Can this team score?
Rationally, yes, the Whitecaps will have the basic ability to score goals. There were times last season, however, where you may have been lead to think otherwise.
Historically, the Whitecaps have struggled to put the ball in the net since moving to Major League Soccer. There has only been one exception: 2013. Camilo put away 22 goals as the lone striker that year, dragging the Caps to a share of 4th in league scoring. Now he’s gone, leaving behind a mess of young players struggling to fill his shoes.
After a 2014 season where only five teams failed to outscore them, manager Carl Robinson has already grown tired of watching Darren Mattocks and Erik Hurtado flounder in front of goal. Pace does not finish chances, and Robbo sent a clear message with his star signing this winter. In a league characterized by long-balls and crosses into the box, the Whitecaps found themselves a 6’2” striker in 22-year-old Octavio Rivero from the Chilean league. Bring on the headers!
2. Wait, the Caps are in the Champions League?
Contrary to popular belief, the Whitecaps did in fact qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League last year, an accomplishment that went nearly unnoticed. And no, the Caps did not finally manage to win the five-team Canadian Championship.
Apparently Big Brother has decided to allow the top Canadian team from the MLS table to enter the competition from now on. We may be caught a little off-guard, but hey, we’ll take it!
So the Whitecaps will begin their very first campaign in the CCL this August. Similar to most continental tournaments, it runs concurrently with the domestic season, meaning the balancing act of resting players will raise its ugly head at some point. Fortunately, the MLS season will be nearly two-thirds over by the time this competition begins. Besides, this schedule stuff is for managers to worry about.
What interests the fans is how their hometown club will fare against the top teams from Central America. Can the beloved Caps gain international recognition by winning the most prestigious competition available to them? Sadly, there’s no chance, if the performance of previous MLS teams is any indicator. The LA Galaxy were the last American club to win, back in the Champions Cup era in 2000, and only two MLS teams have reached the final since.
Still, the Champions League is a platform this Whitecaps franchise has been targeting since their entry into MLS. A chance to prove themselves against a Mexican giant is enough to pique the interest of the most hardened pessimists.
If nothing else, the tournament will be a welcome change of pace from the often-dreary trek towards the MLS Playoffs in October.
3. Will the Caps become contenders?
It is the proverbial “next step.” Going from a simple playoff team to a real challenger for the league title is the eventual goal of nearly every club in Major League Soccer. The Whitecaps are no exception.
How likely are the dynamic, young Caps to join the likes of Seattle and Los Angeles as perennial contenders? Admittedly, it is not likely.
But it’s possible…
The Whitecaps have built this squad the right way. The core is young, impressive, and has been together for the better part of two years already. Their superstar Designated Player is not some washed-up legend in semi-retirement, squeezing another year or two from his diminishing talents. Pedro Morales is 29 years old. That is not young, but compared to 36-year-old Frank Lampard, he has his whole career ahead of him.
Morales is a centrepiece they can conceivably build around for the next five years. The Caps already have assembled a cast who in five years time could rival the Seattles of this league. Is this the year all this building translates into an MLS Cup? Probably not.
But with young talent, you just never know. They could explode onto the scene at any time. Blink and you might miss it.
Back then it was embarking on a new journey. Now it’s about a young franchise coming into it’s own. With a dynamic young core already proven capable of making the playoffs, the next step for this team is to contend for the MLS Cup. Maybe this is the year they take that step.
Or maybe not. With youth comes uncertainty, and there has been no shortage of that around BC Place in the leadup to March. Major League Soccer is confusing by nature, so understandably there is some doubt over whether or not this team is the real deal.
Let’s try to make some sense of this enigmatic team, playing in this unpredictable league. Here are the three biggest storylines as the 2015 season kicks off.
1. Can this team score?
Rationally, yes, the Whitecaps will have the basic ability to score goals. There were times last season, however, where you may have been lead to think otherwise.
Historically, the Whitecaps have struggled to put the ball in the net since moving to Major League Soccer. There has only been one exception: 2013. Camilo put away 22 goals as the lone striker that year, dragging the Caps to a share of 4th in league scoring. Now he’s gone, leaving behind a mess of young players struggling to fill his shoes.
After a 2014 season where only five teams failed to outscore them, manager Carl Robinson has already grown tired of watching Darren Mattocks and Erik Hurtado flounder in front of goal. Pace does not finish chances, and Robbo sent a clear message with his star signing this winter. In a league characterized by long-balls and crosses into the box, the Whitecaps found themselves a 6’2” striker in 22-year-old Octavio Rivero from the Chilean league. Bring on the headers!
2. Wait, the Caps are in the Champions League?
Contrary to popular belief, the Whitecaps did in fact qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League last year, an accomplishment that went nearly unnoticed. And no, the Caps did not finally manage to win the five-team Canadian Championship.
Apparently Big Brother has decided to allow the top Canadian team from the MLS table to enter the competition from now on. We may be caught a little off-guard, but hey, we’ll take it!
So the Whitecaps will begin their very first campaign in the CCL this August. Similar to most continental tournaments, it runs concurrently with the domestic season, meaning the balancing act of resting players will raise its ugly head at some point. Fortunately, the MLS season will be nearly two-thirds over by the time this competition begins. Besides, this schedule stuff is for managers to worry about.
What interests the fans is how their hometown club will fare against the top teams from Central America. Can the beloved Caps gain international recognition by winning the most prestigious competition available to them? Sadly, there’s no chance, if the performance of previous MLS teams is any indicator. The LA Galaxy were the last American club to win, back in the Champions Cup era in 2000, and only two MLS teams have reached the final since.
Still, the Champions League is a platform this Whitecaps franchise has been targeting since their entry into MLS. A chance to prove themselves against a Mexican giant is enough to pique the interest of the most hardened pessimists.
If nothing else, the tournament will be a welcome change of pace from the often-dreary trek towards the MLS Playoffs in October.
3. Will the Caps become contenders?
It is the proverbial “next step.” Going from a simple playoff team to a real challenger for the league title is the eventual goal of nearly every club in Major League Soccer. The Whitecaps are no exception.
How likely are the dynamic, young Caps to join the likes of Seattle and Los Angeles as perennial contenders? Admittedly, it is not likely.
But it’s possible…
The Whitecaps have built this squad the right way. The core is young, impressive, and has been together for the better part of two years already. Their superstar Designated Player is not some washed-up legend in semi-retirement, squeezing another year or two from his diminishing talents. Pedro Morales is 29 years old. That is not young, but compared to 36-year-old Frank Lampard, he has his whole career ahead of him.
Morales is a centrepiece they can conceivably build around for the next five years. The Caps already have assembled a cast who in five years time could rival the Seattles of this league. Is this the year all this building translates into an MLS Cup? Probably not.
But with young talent, you just never know. They could explode onto the scene at any time. Blink and you might miss it.
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