‘The Bug’ will be back
FAN FAVOURITE: Techera, the Caps’ most consistent threat, returning for 2016
Cristian Techera, the 5-foot2 Whitecaps winger aptly nicknamed ‘El Bicho’ (The Bug) by his dad, will return to Vancouver for the 2016 MLS season, The Province has learned.
Techera quickly became a fan favourite at B.C. Place with his buzzing play down the right side and an impressive soccer IQ.
He scored seven goals and added five assists in 22 games, 17 of them starts, and was probably the Caps’ most consistent attacking threat.
The 23-year-old Uruguayan was on a one-year loan with a transfer option from River Plate Montevideo. It’s unclear whether Techera will return on another loan or as a Caps player outright, but he will be back.
That will be a relief to coach Carl Robinson, who is trying to add goals to the lineup this off-season and didn’t need the added challenge of trying to replace the shifty and opportunistic Techera.
Last week, the Caps acquired Japanese striker Masato Kudo, 25, on a free transfer from J1 club Kashiwa Reysol. On first glance, it’s a good bit of business and more moves are expected.
Kudo can play on the right like Techera, but he also gives Robinson the option to play two up front or use Octavio Rivero off the bench now and then, a luxury Robinson didn’t believe he had in 2015 with Darren Mattocks and Robert Earnshaw as his other options at striker.
Mattocks, 25, remains a likely trade or transfer candidate, while Earnshaw, 34, is free to sign anywhere and could yet return to Vancouver.
Techera’s arrival in April transformed the Caps’ attack because opponents had to respect both wings. It opened up the game for Kekuta Manneh on the left and Techera also clicked well with countrymen Rivero and Nicolas Mezquida when they were on the field together.
“He can make us tick in certain areas and I think we’ve found a good balance with the three behind,” the lone striker, Robinson said last season.
The Whitecaps no longer have Canadian international Simeon Jackson on their discovery list, a club source said. Jackson, 28, is available on a free transfer after League One Barnsley didn’t extended the forward’s contract this week. The MLS discovery lists dictate which team has the first right of refusal to sign most players from outside the league.