Days after failing to make the 2013 playoffs head coach Martin Rennie was sacked. His sacking was a controversial topic amongst Vancouver fans, with many fans calling for him to be given another chance while others (myself included) were pleased to see him go. Rennie is a good coach, but too often during the 2013 campaign Rennie refused to change his tactics which cost Vancouver valuable points. The most concerning thing to come from his demise was the public revealing of the football committee that supposedly runs the Whitecaps.
This committee consists of Bob Lenarduzzi, COO Rachel Lewis, director of professional teams Greg Anderson and owners Jeff Mallet and Greg Kerfoot. There have been many stories of what this committee actually does and the extent of their power. Should Whitecap fans be worried about this committee? That is yet to be revealed. I will hold off my judgment. All I will say at this time is that none of history’s greatest empires had 2, let alone 5 leaders.
After failing to lure Bob Bradley with a reported 7 figure a year salary, the Whitecaps announced ex-Welsh international Carl Robinson as Rennie’s replacement. Personally, I think appointing Carl was an excellent decision. Robinson is young and full of ideas. He is very high on some of the youth coming from the Whitecaps academy and since the Whitecaps owners are pumping multi-millions of dollars a year into the academy they want to see their investment give some returns. As the preseason comes to a close youth is clearly in the forefront of Robinson’s mind. But the extent to which youth from the academy will get first team minutes looks less and less each day. At least for the 2014 season.
No doubt, the biggest off season story was the Camilo debacle. The New Year started with rumours of Camilo sightings in Mexico. I will not waste my time summarizing those few weeks of drama because I would not want anyone to waste their time reading my summary of #Camilogate. The long and the short of it is the 2013 MLS Golden Boot winner is no longer a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps. The seemingly endless drama of that situation came to a close on January 17th when it was officially announced that Camilo had been sold to Mexico’s Queretaro FC.
Players to watch:
Omar Salgado
After being picked first overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft Omar Salgado has had a rough 3 years. Just 21 MLS appearances, 10 starts, 902 minutes, 1 goal and multiple surgeries on his right foot which made him miss the entire 2013 season. This preseason Salgado came out of the gate flying. His work rate is high and his drive to crack the starting 11 is clear. At times during preseason matches he has made rash tackles which make you cringe. With card happy refs he will be sent off faster than Eric Hassli. If Omar can learn to use his new found body strength in a constructive way and stay healthy he could have a breakout season in 2014. Frankly he needs to, or he could find himself on a plane leaving Vancouver by seasons end.
Kekuta Manneh
Selected 4th overall in the 2013 SuperDraft, Manneh played 764 minutes in 2013. During that time he scored 6 goals and picked up 2 assists. Impressive numbers for the 19 year old. If the Gambian can kick up where he left off in 2013 he could be a top contender for Whitecaps 2014 lead goal scorer.
Erik Hurtado
The 5th overall pick in the 2013 SuperDraft Hurtado earned just 489 minutes in the 2013 campaign. His speed is incredible but his touch is often lacking. This preseason Robinson has given Hurtado many minutes. There isn’t any doubt Erik has talent. If he can improve his first touch he has the potential to score many goals.
Tactics:
Often over the last two seasons under Martin Rennie, the Whitecaps seemed to change their formation on a weekly basis. So far this preseason Carl Robinson has used a 4-2-3-1 formation. David Ousted will be the starting goalkeeper but with the recent signing of Paolo Tornaghi and Marco Carducci bound to be signed from the academy; Ousted will be hard pressed to keep his starting position. If healthy, the back four on March 8th and for most of the season will probably be Steven Beitashour, Jay DeMerit, Andy O’Brien and Jordan Harvey. So far this preseason it is very clear that Robinson wants his fullbacks to push far up the field and join in the attack. Harvey showed last year he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time as he scored 4 goals during the campaign. Beitashour is also a real threat as the right fullback is notorious for pushing up his wing to join in the attack.
Reo-Coker, and somewhat surprisingly, Russell Teibert have played as holding midfielders this preseason. Teibert seems to have played every position except goalkeeper in his professional career. Last year Rennie used him as an attacking threat as Teibert notched 9 assists and 2 goals. In the preseason game versus Portmore United, Teibert and Reo-Coker were a deadly force as they broke up any play Portmore tried to create in the middle of the pitch. However, with the new acquisition of Matias Laba from Toronto FC, the likelihood of a holding midfield comprised of Reo Coker and Laba is most likely.
The attacking midfielders will be harder to predict. Rumours have been circulating for several weeks that the team is very close to signing an attacking midfielder of South American decent. Sources from Spain say that Chilean attacking mid Pedro Morales who currently plays for Malaga CF in La Liga is Robinson’s prime target. Carl Robinson has a plethora of attacking options to mix and match.
The lone striker will probably be Kenny Miller if he is healthy. Or Robinson can choose to go with speed and use Hurtado, Mattocks, Manneh or even Salgado.
Positions:
Goalkeepers:
Acquired in the 2013 summer transfer window, David Ousted took the starting goalkeeper job from Brad Knighton. Ousted played 13 games and earned 4 shutouts while making 37 saves. The highest paid goalie on Vancouver’s books this year the starting goalkeeper job is his to lose. Coach Carl Robinson wants to start each attack from the goalie so Ousted spent time during the offseason practising as a defender to get used to having the ball at his feet. Recently acquired Paolo Tornaghi had 3 starts in 2012 and 6 starts in 2013 for the Chicago Fire. He is expected to play backup for Ousted but Marco Carducci will also be fighting for backup. Carducci joined the Whitecaps academy in 2011. At just 17 years of age, Carducci has earned much praise and is considered one of, if not the most promising young goalkeeper in Canada. This preseason he has earned several starts and has performed admirably.
Defenders:
With the starting back 4 in little dispute, Carl Robinson has great depth at center back. Christian Dean who was selected by Vancouver in the 2014 SuperDraft, has performed well and will provide depth along with Johnny Leveron and Carlyle Mitchell. Sam Adekugbe who is a graduate of the Whitecaps academy will back up Jordan Harvey and yet to be signed Ethen Sampson looks set to back up Steven Beitashour. If Robinson chooses to go with Demerit and O’Brien as his starting center backs the Whitecaps will be prone to speed. If Carl feels this is a danger then he might elect to start one of the younger center backs beside Captain Jay DeMerit.
Midfield:
Head coach Carl Robinson seems to have clear roles for each of his midfielders. Reo-Coker and Teibert have been the preferred holding midfielders this preseason but with the addition of Matias Laba, Teibert will be pushed back to his more natural position on the wing. Bryce Alderson and Gershon Koffie will also fight for the holding midfield position. Koffie has to perform this year or he could find himself on the trading block. His high salary will be added pressure. Matt Watson has had a strong preseason but his often cheap turnovers and errant passes will mean he will be hard pressed to find minutes. Draft pick Andre Lewis has shown glimpses of his talent but it might not be enough to earn time in the highly competitive Vancouver midfield. Recent additions Sebastian Fernandez and Nicolas Mezquida have looked deadly this preseason. Their smart runs and one touch passing cuts through defenses like a knife through butter. Expect them to play a pivotal role in Vancouver’s attack this year.
Forward:
Speed is the name of the game. With Robinson using the 4-2-3-1 formation, I expect his lone striker to be Miller or Mattocks. Kenny Miller has played just behind the lone striker this preseason but with the addition of Pedro Morales rumoured to happen any day this may change Miller’s role. Salgado and Kekuta Manneh will surly find minutes as well. Robinson will have a headache choosing which attacking combination he will go with each week.
Conference standings:
Upon completion of the final regular game of the 2014 season I predict the Whitecaps could be as high as 4th or as low as 6th in the west. Where the Whitecaps end up at seasons end will depend heavily on injuries. I predict a central pairing of Andy O’Brien and Jay DeMerit on opening day. In Carl Robinson’s mind they are his starting center backs. However, they both have a history of injuries. Reo-Coker and Jordan Harvey have joined the old man category this offseason due to the Whitecaps acquiring so much young talent. But they are far less injury prone.
If healthy, DP Kenny Miller will lead Vancouver’s attack. I repeat, IF he is healthy. Last season Miller suffered several injuries which kept him from playing much of the second half of the season. Miller did have minor surgery on his right knee this offseason which has kept him from training for much of the preseason, but he seems to be getting closer to full fitness.
What started as a slow offseason has led to an extremely busy preseason as we hurtle towards first kick. Carl Robinson has surrounded himself with a great support staff and ownership has given him several important players. Robinson has the resources to succeed in Vancouver. Now let’s see if he can take this team to the next level.
(image courtesy of USA Today Sports)
