Adekugbe in Caps’ starting 11
Vancouver soccer coach rewards Calgary- raised defender’s hard work
It is a measure of Carl Robinson’s relative comfort with his Vancouver Whitecaps roster and the confidence in his decisions that he seems to relish making tough lineup choices.
The Caps have more quality depth than at any point in Robinson’s four seasons in Vancouver — two as an assistant coach and now into his second season as the head man — as evidenced by the fact former starters Darren Mattocks, Erik Hurtado and Jordan Harvey were substitutes last weekend.
Harvey, the steady, 31- year- old left fullback who had started 57 of 59 games, sitting out only for red- card suspensions, was bypassed against Chicago in favour of 20- year- old residency program graduate Sam Adekugbe.
The England- born, Calgaryraised Adekugbe had been “knocking on the door” all pre- season, according to Robinson. And when the coach felt that Harvey — who had been involved in CBA negotiations as a player rep — needed a mental rest, he made the change.
Adekugbe played a strong game, using his speed and attacking mindset to cause the Fire problems as he bombed down the left side. He also stopped a sure goal with a header clearance of a Shaun Maloney redirect off a Chicago corner. For his efforts, he was rewarded with a spot in Major League Soccer’s weekly XI team.
Robinson says Harvey will play more MLS games this season. And he’ll certainly be needed March 28 at home against Portland when Adekugbe is on Canadian national team duty. But it will surely be Adekugbe again this Saturday in Orlando, Fla.
“Part of my job is to gauge when I think it’s right to put young players in, but also when the right time is to pull them out,” says Robinson. “And if they’re playing well and on form do I really want to pull them out and not give them the confidence that they probably need from me and my support staff? No.”
Harvey has always been one of the hardest- working players in training. And he’s happily mentored Adekugbe, even knowing it would likely cost him minutes.
“Sam’s not going to roll over now, because he realizes how hard it is not being in the team,” says Robinson. “And Jordan knows both ways as well. Jordan wants to get back in the team. And he does everything you want from a senior professional to play every week.
“I have tough decisions to make. I remember 12 months ago, you could probably ( easily) pick my best 11. Now, we’ve suddenly got a stronger squad. And that’s the only way you improve as a club, you always bring in better players than you have to increase the competition.”
The soft- spoken Adekugbe is a level- headed youngster who won’t let the team- of- the- week accolade go to his head. “It’s always nice to get recognition ... especially coming from the ( Caps’) academy. I feel like if I keep pushing myself, hopefully more recognition will come. But it starts from me training well, having a point to prove.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve earned ( another start). It comes down to how well you’re doing at training.”
Adekugbe and Harvey get along well. The California native, who previously played in Colorado and Philadelphia, has found a home in Vancouver after being selected in the 2011 expansion draft.
“I always say that having Jordan as a person to go up against, you wouldn’t want it to be anyone else, just because he’s there to help you, to make you a better player,” says Adekugbe.
I wouldn’t say I’ve earned ( another start). It comes down to how well you’re doing at training.