Snake-bit Whitecaps ready to get going
Despite depleted roster, team remains optimistic for opener
The Vancouver Whitecaps have impressive depth and talent on paper. Unfortunately, papers are what's causing them problems right now.
Rookie right back Javain Brown was the latest player ruled out for today's season opener against the Portland Timbers at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The paperwork that transforms his current U.S. visa to a working one hasn't been processed yet, nor has his Canadian work permit, but it's expected to be sorted by next week.
Iraqi international Ali Adnan remains in Canada, with the Designated Player's visa approval process moving at a glacial pace.
Neither Bruno Gaspar nor Caio Alexandre will be able to play today, having just cleared quarantine, with Gaspar making his first training appearance Saturday and Alexandre cleared to start Monday.
Injuries have further cut into the Caps' roster. Leo Owusu is out for at least a few weeks after getting injured in the pre-season game with Chicago. Erik Godoy and Derek Cornelius will also miss today's game, leaving the Caps with Andy Rose and Ranko Veselinovic as the only first-team centre backs.
The team feels snake-bitten with the amount of adaptations it has had to make the past two seasons, from going to MLS is Back missing five players, twice relocating to different cities to play, to losing a massive chunk of their pre-season prep after national team commitments leached the majority of their squad away.
“It's been different. It's been different than any other pre-season that I've done in the past. It's been filled with challenges, all sorts of challenges,” said midfielder Russell Teibert.
“But I think we've been through so much as a team from last year up until now, that we're able to take on any challenge and turn that obstacle into a good experience. So although this pre-season has presented its obstacles, I think we've done a great job of making the most of those scenarios.
“I think (bad luck), that's all a matter of perspective. And I don't share that perspective. I don't take the scenario as a negative scenario.”
From a tactical standpoint, that means some minor shuffling of the lineup, though the Caps will stick with the 4-4-2 that gave them more defensive stability in the latter stages of 2020.
Newcomer Déiber Caicedo was signed as a left winger, but will likely start on the right, with Teibert returning to the winger spot he played as a newcomer with the Caps back in the Jurassic period.
“It's been fun, I've really enjoyed it,” Teibert said of the return to the wing.
“I want this team to be successful. And wherever the coach needs me to play, I'm going to do and I'm going to do my best in that role. It's an old position for me, and I've really enjoyed the time that I spent on the wing thus far this season. I'm just excited to get back on the field, whatever position that may be.”
Cristian Dájome will move from the wing into a false nine role behind Lucas Cavallini, a position he played with both Bogata and Cúcuta Deportivo in 2015.
The two Colombian wingers and Cavallini have become inseparable off the field, and are hoping that chemistry is a formula for success on it. They've even been working on a dance routine should any of them score on Sunday.
“I know it's only been such a short period of time that we've been together, but right away we adapted with each other and we gelled,” said Cavallini. “Deiber is new guy but he seemed to fit in perfectly. They are two talented players, two fast, quick players that we need, and that's going to help this team a lot. They're gonna add more of a spark to the team.”
“When Deiber came into the group on the attacking side, we looked more offensive. That means Cava is gonna have more players closer to him that can provide him the ball and providing the service,” added Dájome.
“Let's hope what we saw in the pre-season games can transition over to Sunday's game.”
In the middle of the park, Michael Baldisimo, if healthy, is the logical replacement for Owusu to line up alongside Janio Bikel. Rose and Veselinovic will be the centre back tandem flanked by Cristián Gutiérrez and Jake Nerwinski, the only current first-team fullbacks available for selection.
The task in front of them is a battle-hardened Portland side that's already played pre-season games against the West's top two 2020 finishers — Seattle and Sporting Kansas City — and two CONCACAF games against Marathón.
“You can't be afraid to talk about facts,” said coach Marc Dos Santos, “and right now, the facts are, they didn't have visa issues, they didn't have players that were not in, they were able to have (pre-season) preparation … They have the same team as last season, apart from the two changes at fullback, so we have to go in this one at knowing that our opponent right now — it's a fact — they're in a different stage than us.
“But that doesn't mean that we're not going to start the game on our front foot, we're not going to start the game pushing, and playing with all the weapons we have. Without being too frustrated with the guys that are not here, it also brings a level of excitement when you think about all the players that are going to join and help our team become better.”