In the eyes of the Vancouver Whitecaps fans the 2012 season was a successful one. Martin Rennie rebuilt a last place team roster and included 15 newcomers from the previous year. But for 2013 the fans are expecting much more from the team who never got past the MLS Cup Playoffs knockout round. In 2012 the team only won 4 games in the final 20 of the season so the team is improving. The main problem was the midseason changes to the team. Losing the root of creativity coming from Davide Chiumiento was a big loss.
With the 2013 season arriving March 2nd at BC Place the Whitecaps are sure to sign a creative centre attacking midfielder to replace Chiumiento's. Many rumours have been going around stating Chiumiento has been meeting with Martin Rennie with talks about Davide becoming the Whitecaps 3rd Designated Player, but reports say the meeting was simply Martin and Davide catching up. The Whitecaps also need a right midfielder to take up Dane Richards position. Richards is joining English Championship side Burnley January 1st 2013. Building right side depth is also on the Whitecaps bucket list, which may or may not come from the Whitecaps Re-Entry Draft pick Paulo Junior from Real Salt Lake.
Missing from the Caps' 2012 season was the ability to get quality chances at goal. Many of the goals were Darren Mattocks and Dane Richards using their pace to get past defenders from long balls pumped up the field. But the Caps' desperately need players like Kenny Miller and Camilo Sanvezzo to play at their potential. If there are no real improvements from last year we will see more losses from Cascadia rivals, and missing the playoffs for the 2nd time in 3 years.
So in review, the Whitecaps did have a successful year because of their ability to make the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs. But the unnecessary mid season rebuild was not needed. You could say players didn't fit into Martin Rennie's philosophy or wanted more money but the results were in Vancouver's favour. The 2nd half of the Whitecaps season might have been much different if they kept the same players.
(image courtesy of Getty)
