Patient Hurtado back to biding time
WAITING FOR CHANCE: Goal-scoring run seems like a distance memory, as does his role as the No. 1 striker
First professional goals don’t come much sweeter than Erik Hurtado’s effort in Columbus last May.
The Whitecaps’ forward-winger chested down a goal kick from David Ousted, turned inside on his defender, flicked a bouncing ball to himself with the outside of his right boot, then struck a sublime left-footed shot into the top corner from 20 yards.
“Was it good?” Hurtado deadpanned ahead of Wednesday’s game against Columbus at B.C. Place (7 p.m., TSN, TSN 1410).
“Yeah, the thought’s crossed my mind this week (with the Crew in town).”
That memorable goal kicked off Hurtado’s hot streak of five goals in five games, including one in the Canadian championship tournament. He then went scoreless in 13 games and ended last season with five goals in 30 MLS appearances.
In his MLS career, he’s scored five in 49 games.
Carl Robinson came to rely on Hurtado for hustle and heart and hard work last year, and the 24-year-old from Oregon has remained ahead of Darren Mattocks on the depth chart for those reasons.
But the Caps had to upgrade at striker this off-season and Robinson brought in Octavio Rivero and Robert Earnshaw, so Hurtado’s back to being patient.
He’s also third choice on rightwing because Mauro Rosales (still out with an ankle injury) re-signed and Nicolas Mezquida’s done very well there.
But Hurtado’s versatility and honest approach will earn him minutes this season. Perhaps even a start this week as the Caps (4-1-0) have games Wednesday and then Saturday in San Jose.
After Monday’s practice, Hurtado was on the B.C. Place turf long after his teammates had gone into the locker-room. He was working, along with teenager Kianz Froese, on finishing.
Then Hurtado hung around to kick a ball with the coaches’ kids until assistant coach Gordon Forrest booted him off the field.
“We’ve spoken to Erik about it,” Forrest said of the mental challenge he’ll face this season.
“There’s good competition for places. He’s got to be patient. But you watch him on the training field and he’s constantly working on what he needs to improve.
“The good thing is he can play centrally but he can also play on either wing as well. He’ll get more opportunities and then it’s down to him to perform and hopefully get some goals.
“But what you get from Erik is he’s a good guy and works his socks off. You know he’ll come in and make an impact.”
Hurtado and Mattocks both had great chances late in the L.A. game, with the Caps ahead 2-0 and the Galaxy pressing for goals.
It could have ended more lopsided but the killer instinct has yet to come from these guys. Hurtado’s watched replays of his missed rush more than a few times.
“He defended it well,” he said. “There was space in behind. Maybe I should take the space sooner, take a huge touch and just blow by him. There’s a bunch of ways to look at it.”
And while Hurtado waits for his next opportunity, he says he’s happy to be watching a winning team, and a forward in form, learning what he can. The Caps have won four in a row. Rivero’s scored four in five games.
“He’s killing it,” said Hurtado. “It’s great for him. I’m happy for him. Happy for the team.
“(Rivero’s) a really strong player. He loves contact and he’s really good at holding the ball up and he’s always in the right spot. The ball pops to him and that’s what you need as a centre-forward.
“There’s nothing difficult about winning. It’s awesome and I’ve just got to bide my time.”