Rosales returns in Dallas jersey to play Caps
Mauro Rosales doesn’t doubt the Vancouver Whitecaps’ credentials. He doesn’t take any pleasure in their early-season struggles, either.
“I really like the guys there and the staff and I wish them the best,” Rosales, the 35-year-old Argentine midfielder traded from Vancouver to Dallas in the pre-season, said by phone Thursday.
“Obviously they are having a tough time, but I think the injuries have kept them from their best level and I’m sure they will come back and score.
“That (slump) will pass in a short time, but obviously they need to believe in what they can do. They showed last year they’re a good team.”
The Caps, third overall last season at 16-13-5, are 2-4-1 through seven games and haven’t scored in three straight.
Part of the reason Caps coach Carl Robinson decided not to re-sign Rosales — although the sides did talk — was that Robinson needed to find more goals.
Rosales, at 35, wasn’t going to offer that, although he did score his first for Dallas in fine fashion last weekend, coming off the bench to curl in the winning free kick against Kansas City.
“Coming into an important game and scoring is always fun and I’m happy for the team,” said Rosales, who has made six appearances, all as a substitute, this year.
“It puts us in a little better position and we are going well at the moment (5-1-2, first overall in MLS).”
Rosales scored once and added three assists in 24 games for the Caps last season.
He started 19 times and was part of their leadership core, helping to guide a young team along with the other mid-30s crew — PaModou Kah, who is back, and Robert Earnshaw, who retired and is now coaching the Caps’ U14s.
Rosales had his MLS rights swapped for the rights to Dallas striker Blas Perez, which makes for a nice subplot Saturday at B.C. Place.
In Dallas, Rosales has joined a team similar to Vancouver’s, although one that appears ahead in their development path.
Both are young squads that have tried to build through their academies and through the draft and by finding value on the transfer market.
“I did my best to stay in Vancouver but they were looking for different kinds of players and I wasn’t part of that and I understand,” Rosales said.
“Dallas wanted me and it was an easy deal because I wasn’t asking for much money, just to play and pass on what I know. Almost everyone is between 20 and 25 years old and they make me feel really good. I’m just trying to be helpful in all aspects and it’s what I’m supposed to do in this part of my career.”
In Vancouver, Robinson essentially replaced Rosales with Costa Rican winger Christian Bolanos, who turns 32 in May and has played in two FIFA World Cup tournaments as well as the UEFA Champions League with Copenhagen.
While Rosales would have played a supporting role in Vancouver this year, Bolanos is expected to play a starring one, and to contribute more at the attacking end.
So far, though, he’s been stuck in neutral — slowed by suspension and injury, and limited to two starts and a lethargic showing off the bench in Salt Lake.
Rosales’ goals and assists might have dried up over the last two years, but you could never question his work ethic or desire.
And as he showed last week, he’s still very much a threat on set pieces.