Whitecaps finding solutions

Things are falling into place in Vancouver.

If the Whitecaps' first season in Major League Soccer raised a lot of questions, the off-season that followed has largely been about finding solutions.

With word that the club is very close to restructuring Camilo’s contract, perhaps the biggest potential problem going into the off-season looks as if it’s been avoided. It would have been very easy for the Whitecaps to sell their 2011 Player of the Year after the reported interest from a Kuwaiti club, or play hardball with a player who is after all under contract.

But, assuming the two sides can come to an agreement, as it seems they will soon, it’s a good move for both parties.

Vancouver gets to keep a proven MLS player who gels well with the existing group, and Camilo will have the chance to earn a wage perhaps more reflective of his contribution without having to relocate or go through an extended dispute.

The forward is deserving of a raise on the $133,545 he earned in 2011, but it will be interesting to see by just how much. Vancouver will be negotiating from a position of strength, as the Brazilian was committed to the club through options for up to four seasons.

While Vancouver’s attacking options have increased this off-season through MLS SuperDraft pick Darren Mattocks, weighted lottery pickup Lee Nguyen, and the likely signing of Etienne Barbara, Camilo has demonstrated his abilities and at just 23 years of age has plenty of upside.

Jarju slams Soehn, Lenarduzzi

Almost as important as getting Camilo a new contract was ripping up Mustapha Jarju’s deal and sending him out of town with a bag of cash as soon as possible before preseason got underway.

After it quickly became apparent the Gambian international was a poor fit, the club backed head coach Martin Rennie’s decision to part ways with MLS’s first African Designated Player through a buyout.

It seems Jarju has landed on his feet, going back to his old Belgian club RAEC Mons and signing a two-and-a-half year deal almost immediately after leaving Vancouver. Despite coming off as quite a pleasant sort during his brief stay, he wasted no time blaming his departure on director of soccer operations Tom Soehn and club president Bob Lenarduzzi, suggesting to Gambia Sports Online that the pair took issue with his international commitments.

“I am happy to be back to my second home,” Jarju said on Wednesday morning shortly after signing the contract. “Football in Canada is the same like football in Belgium, but there I had problems with the president (Bob Lenarduzzi) and the coach (Tom Soehn) because of my trips to the national team (Gambia). I am sorry that I had to leave Mons, but now everything is in order and I am back.”

It’s safe to say many in Vancouver are happy Jarju is back in his second home as well.

Martin MacMahon is a Vancouver-based writer who covers the Vancouver Whitecaps FC for MLSsoccer.com. Follow Martin on Twitter