Whitecaps look to evolve identity
Player-driven initiative pushing toward earning berth in MLS Western Conference playoffs
Vancouver Whitecaps minority owner Steve Nash hoped the dismissal of head coach Carl Robinson might be a “breath of fresh air” for his Major League Soccer squad.
Little did he know the winds of change would come from his team’s players, not interim coach Craig Dalrymple.
This “new-look” Whitecaps squad (well, perhaps ‘desperately energized’ might be more apt), a team that has suddenly been pushing up on its opposition, disruptive and aggressive through the central midfield, it’s all been a player-driven initiative.
“To be honest, I asked questions of the players before we started off … what they wanted to do, what they wanted to bring alive,” said Dalrymple, who’s 1-1 at the helm, including last week’s 2-1 win over Toronto FC.
“It was driven more by the players. If they want it, they’ll give more effort, which is what you’re seeing right now.
“We have a little bit of an identity now, and I think we’ll continue to improve it. There’s areas that we aren’t happy with that we will improve,” added Dalrymple, who inherited a team that’s attempted the fewest passes per game (371.61) in MLS action this season.
“We sagged a little bit too much midway through the first half and into the second half, and we need to get a little bit higher up the field.
“We addressed that in video … and we’ll correct that going into the (Sporting) Kansas City game. We hope we can continue to be aggressive and impose ourselves.”
Midfielder Russell Teibert has been notable in the change in his role, pushing into the opposition 18 frequently in the past two games. Against Toronto, the majority of his team-high 50 passes came on the TFC side of the field.
Fullbacks Jake Nerwinski and Brett Levis also pressed higher up the flanks, insinuating themselves into passing lanes. The two defenders had five and three interceptions, respectively, and it was a season-high for Nerwinski, who operated in the Reds’ half the majority of the match.
“There’s a respect level,” said striker Kei Kamara. “They came in and said ‘we’re not going to change anything.’ Sometimes it does bring a little bit of a boost. (Dalrymple) is honest with us, he’s honest with every player in there, and it’s … self-motivation. It’s what you want the end of the season to be all about.”
Basically, three teams are in the running for the final Western Conference playoff spot: Real Salt Lake, the L.A. Galaxy and the Caps.
Vancouver (12-12-7, 43 points) has three games remaining, all against teams that have clinched (or virtually clinched) playoff berths. On Wednesday, the Caps host Sporting Kansas City (15-8-8, 53 points), travel to LAFC (168-8, 56 points) on Oct. 21, then host Portland (14-9-9, 51 points) on Oct. 28.
RSL (13-12-7, 46 points), who currently hold down the final berth, host New England Thursday — a team that’s outscored them 8-0 the past three seasons — before visiting Portland on Oct. 21 to close out the season. The Galaxy travel to Minnesota on Oct. 21 before hosting Houston in their finale a week later.
“We hold our own destiny,” said Nerwinski. “If we win out, we know we’re in. That gives us the motivation to keep going.”
Dalrymple, for all his deflection of his role in the Caps win last week, has proven to be a shrewd coach. His substitutions last week resulted in the winning goal after Jordon Mutch replaced Aly Ghazal in the 75th minute, then recorded the winning assist to Kamara three minutes later.
The 4-1-4-1 formation he’s rolled out seems to suit his team’s personnel, as well.
Wednesday will be a big test for the team’s residency director, as he’ll be down six starters against a full-strength squad — all of their players on international duty, including Scottish midfielder Johnny Russell — will be back in time for the game. The Claret and Cobalt also wrecked the Caps 6-0 in their first meeting this season, the game which saw two Vancouver players ejected following a fracas involving Russell, and will be motivated to separate themselves from LAFC and secure a first-round bye.
For the Caps, the situation is much more dire. A loss doesn’t completely shut the door on the playoffs, but they’ll be forced to rely on other teams’ results.
“It’s not just about the word believe, but having that feeling inside you, knowing that it’s possible,” said Kamara, who would have added to that number of missing players but for the cancellation of Sierra Leone’s Africa Cup games against Ghana after the suspension of the federation for government interference. “It’s just that awakening inside of us that says ‘hey, we can still make a run for it and get into the playoffs.’ ”