Adekugbe comfortable at left back
Whitecaps residency product showcases both sides of his game against Fire
BRIDGEVIEW, ILL. — Sam Adekugbe’s first two MLS starts came when Jordan Harvey was suspended. Saturday at Toyota Park, it was by coach’s decision, and the 20-year-old Canadian didn’t disappoint.
Adekugbe looked at home at left back as the Caps beat the Chicago Fire 1-0 to even their record at 1-1-0.
“I thought he was excellent,” said Caps coach Carl Robinson. “He’s a different type of player to Jordan. Jordan’s a warrior for me, and I just wanted to give Jordan a break with all the CBA negotiations going on (before the season opener).
“And my outlook on my team and my players is that when young players show they’re ready for that chance, I want to give them that little carrot, and Sam had deserved it for his performances in pre-season.”
For Adekugbe, it was a busy night on a bumpy, slow field where several players were under-hitting passes and had to work extra hard to control the ball.
He bombed down the left wing, like everyone expected from the attacking-minded defender. But he also did his defensive work as the Caps posted the shutout.
He probably got off lucky not being yellow-carded for a shirt tug when he was beat out wide in the first half, but he put in share of tough tackles, including a terrifically-timed one on Eric Gehrig to start the second half.
He was nutmegged on a pass that led to a great chance late in the first stanza, but also might have saved a goal by blocking Harrison Shipp’s shot in the 33rd.
“When you have good players around you, they make you look better than you are,” said Adekugbe, who came through Vancouver’s residency program and first started in the final game of 2013.
“With Russell (Teibert) and Kekuta (Manneh) on my side, we love playing together, and (Pa-Modou) Kah’s got all that experience to guide you through the match.
“I felt pretty good. I’m always trying to make myself a better player. I’ll re-watch the game and see what I can improve.”
Adekugbe limped off the field at the final whistle after a nasty late collision with Kennedy Igboananike going for a 50-50 ball but he didn’t look too bad in the locker-room. “It was painful,” he said. “It’s a little bit swollen now, but it’ll be fine.”
Given that Harvey struggled in the opener and that Adekugbe was good here, logic suggests it’s now his job to lose. But perhaps Robinson will be mindful of keeping the veteran Harvey — one of the most dedicated players this club has had — in a good head space.
Adekugbe doesn’t expect anything.
“I’m still a young player,” he said. “Every time I get a chance to play I’m going to try and prove myself, but then I’ve still got to prove myself on the Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday.”
It sounds like winger Mauro Rosales will miss several weeks with an ankle injury. He came out on the wrong end of a tough tackle from Lovel Palmer late in the first half and limped off. “Mauro’s got a very, very bad ankle,” Robinson said. “At the time, I thought it was a difficult challenge. Until I see it again, I can’t comment.”