Ousted confident the wins will come
Whitecaps goalie says ‘it’s way too early to panic’ after team struggles in 2-0 loss to Toronto FC
As reporters peppered Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson post-game with questions about the team’s lack of finish, discipline and inability to win, his all-star keeper was offering free stress therapy outside the media room.
“Relax, take a deep breath. It’s a long season and it’s way too early to panic,” said David Ousted, moments after his snake-bitten Vancouver side dropped a 2-0 MLS decision to Toronto FC at B.C. Place Stadium.
Asked somewhat tongue-in-cheek if his offensively challenged teammates score during practices, Ousted flashed an ear-to-ear grin and chirped: “Yes they do, they actually score a lot, just never on me!” Bada boom. All kidding aside, here’s all you need to know about the Caps after three MLS outings: Two losses, shut out twice, one scoreless draw, two game-altering red card infractions, two goals scored and five surrendered. On Saturday, the Caps only had one shot on target.
The only people breathing easy about this lack of production are the stylists at Great Clips Salon, the company that promises free haircuts to fans in attendance at a Vancouver game where the home side scores three or more goals.
“Today, unfortunately it was today, that we had a priority to start winning games. We didn’t get the result and we accept that, so it now has to happen next game,” said Robinson, when asked when the urgency to post MLS wins kicks in. That next game, no joke, is on April Fool’s Day against the always tough L.A. Galaxy in Vancouver.
“Goals are hard to come by right now, but we have good players, a good team, and it’s too early to panic. The goals and wins will come,” said Ousted, who served his onegame suspension Saturday for a goal-saving trip on Earthquakes star Chris Wondolowski during their March 11 match in San Jose.
In that contest, the Caps were up 2-0, but after Ousted was banished in the 23rd minute, the California crew stormed back with three goals on backup Paolo Tornaghi to win 3-2.
On Saturday, with the Caps pressing for a go-ahead goal in a scoreless game, Brek Shea was red-carded for something he said to the referee in the 69th minute and Toronto pounced with two goals shortly after.
A beautiful header by second-half substitute Victor Vazquez produced a goal in the 76th minute, and Jozy Altidore added a second four minutes later from the top of the box as the Reds improved to 1-0-2, while the Caps (0-1-2) share company with Seattle, Real Salt Lake and Minnesota in the Western Winless Club.
“We’re playing some good ball, but it’s taking us time to get going collectively,” insisted Ousted, who pointed at Fredy Montero, Alphonso Davies, Kekutah Manneh, Erik Hurtado and Shea as examples of hard work not yet being rewarded in the win column.
“I really like this team. The players are talented and committed to winning. We’re all committed to turning this around soon,” said Ousted.
Robinson, who knows his side is judged on results and not good tries, said coaches are working to right the ship.
“We know we need to be better. The first three (MLS) games, we’ve done some OK things, other things we need to improve on.”
Asked if there are any changes planned, whether it’s the allocation of playing time or the actual roster, the coach said he’s “always looking” to improve.
“We’re looking at some things all the time. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to bring anyone in, because I’d like to strengthen certain areas, but there is a process with that,” said Robinson. “So, we’ll evaluate it over the next two weeks, because there are one or two areas I’d like to strengthen and bring some freshness into it.”
Former Seattle Sounder Montero, who raised offensive expectations in Vancouver upon arrival in the off-season as the new designated player, then enhanced that March 2 after scoring on his first touch against the New York Red Bulls in a 2-0 CONCACAF quarter-final win, is confident the Caps will snap out of their early season funk.
“I think we have enough players who know what kind of game we’re playing and how we play and look for the spaces,” said Montero. “But one thing I know for sure is that I believe in the process. I’m new here, and obviously I want to win games, but we’re going to continue working hard.
“The victories are coming, I’m pretty sure of that. Once we put all the pieces together and get our first win, we’re going to continue that.”
THROW-INS: Spencer Richey, who started in goal for Vancouver Saturday ahead of Tornaghi, said his MLS debut was bittersweet. “Delighted to make my debut … disappointed to not get at least one point” … Caps centre-back Kendall Waston and midfielder Christian Bolanos left Sunday to join the Costa Rican Ticos for the fifth and final round of qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup … Midfielder Marco Bustos has been called up to the Canadian team camp and will play in a March 22 friendly in Scotland. He’ll join new national team head coach Octavio Zambrano at the fiveday camp.