Retooled Whitecaps ready for MLS opener
Plenty of questions in Vancouver as MLS season kicks off this weekend
VANCOUVER (CP) — As the Vancouver Whitecaps prepared for their Major League Soccer season-opening game Sunday against the Philadelphia Union, head coach Carl Robinson was asked how his team will be better this year than last year’s disappointing showing.
“It’s a difficult question to answer prior to the season,” said the former Welsh international who is entering his fourth season as Vancouver’s skipper. “If you ask me at the end of the season I will be able to give you an answer.”
Perhaps Robinson was hesitant to answer given the way last season played out.
At one point the Whitecaps were 8-8-6 and still in the playoff hunt. But they managed just two wins in the final 14 games and finished with a 10-15-9 record — eighth in the 10-team Western Conference, seven points out of the playoffs.
The Whitecaps struggled to score goals last season while allowing the second most in the conference. There also were questions about harmony in the locker-room.
“We had plenty of opportunities to pick up wins along the way,” said team president Bob Lenarduzzi. “For one reason or another we just didn’t get it done.
“I have been around teams and players . . . where things start to unravel. I don’t know if it was a real indictment of the chemistry of the team.”
In a bid to boost the offence, Vancouver was busy in the off-season, acquiring players like Colombian striker Fredy Montero, a three-time MLS all-star; American forward Brek Shea; and Peruvian midfielder Yordy Reyna, who is currently sidelined with a foot injury.
The Whitecaps also brought in help on defence, adding Americans Jake Nerwinski and Sheanon Williams.
They will join a team that has goalkeeper David Ousted, hard-nosed Costa Rican defender Kendall Waston; Uruguayan winger Cristian Techera; forward Kekuta Manneh; and 16-yearold Canadian Alphonso Davies.
Montero showed his value by scoring a goal in Vancouver’s 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in Thursday’s CONCACAF Championships League quarter-final. The Whitecaps won the two-game aggregate series 3-1 and will play Tigres UANL of Monterrey, Mexico, in the Champions League semifinal.
Montero and Shea bring some veteran experience to the Whitecaps’ attack, and appear to have developed a chemistry with Davies.
“We have a good pedigree in the league,” said Montero, 29. “We want to jump into the field with the same energy, the same hunger as the young kids.”
Shea has only been with the team a few days but likes what he sees.
“It seems like everyone has good camaraderie,” said the 27-year-old who has played 34 games and scored four goals with the U.S. national team. “Everyone is on the same path and want to do well and have each others back.
“I think that’s pretty cool.”
Toronto opens with crowded midfield
Finding minutes for his midfielders will be one of Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney’s major challenges this season.
Vanney’s preferred formation is 3-5-2/5-3-2 with fullbacks Justin Morrow and Steven Beitashour flanking a three-man backline.
Captain Michael Bradley is the anchor in midfield, looking to break down attacks and connect the TFC dots. That leaves two midfield spots with newly acquired Spanish playmaker Victor Vazquez, once he regains full fitness, likely to eat into the minutes of Armando Cooper and Jonathan Osorio.
Marky Delgado, Jay Chapman, Benoit Cheyrou, Tsubasa Endoh, Raheem Edwards and Sergio Camargo will be fighting for what opportunities are left in mdfield.
“There’s obviously a lot of competition in that spot,” said Vanney, whose team kicks off the season today at Real Salt Lake. “I think right now one of my big challenges is we’ve got a young and up-and-coming group between Jay and Marky and obviously Sergio, who we added this year.
“If we stay healthy, it’s going to be a challenge to find enough minutes for everybody.”