TORONTO – The Vancouver Whitecaps have been the very definition of a team spinning its wheels in recent weeks.
In the six games they’ve played since the start of June, the ‘Caps have won two, tied two and lost two to fall to fifth place in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference standings—just a single point ahead of the LA Galaxy for the final playoff berth in the conference.
Things are tight in the west—so tight that only seven points separate second place (Real Salt Lake) and eighth (Portland Timbers). Vancouver is coming off a 3-1 home loss to Chivas USA on Saturday, a game that saw the 10-men Whitecaps concede two late goals and waste a perfect chance to pick up a valuable point.
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Defender Jordan Harvey was red carded in the Chivas contest, and will be suspended for the Whitecaps’ road game against Toronto FC Wednesday night. The ‘Caps will also be without injured captain Jay DeMerit, who is back home nursing a lingering ankle injury and is believed to be several more weeks away from returning to action.
And yet, first-year coach Carl Robinson, who has preached a more attacking playing style since taking over the reins at the start of the season, is happy with the progress the Whitecaps have made and where they currently sit in the MLS hierarchy.
“I’ve said all along I want to play a certain style of football. I think on Saturday was a perfect example—we played exactly the way I want to play but we didn’t win. I’ll get the blame for the result and I accept that,” Robinson told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s clash with TFC.
“We’re in contention. The Western Conference is very tough. To be there and about—if you ask me if I’m happy to be there and about (at this point in the season), I’d say yes. I’m quite happy at the moment.”
Two of the major reasons for the Whitecaps’ relative success are the additions of Chilean playmaker Pedro Morales and Argentine grafter Mattias Laba. Morales has quickly established himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in MLS, winning plaudits for his sublime passing ability and on-field vision.
Robinson said Morales is the kind of player who elevates his teammates and makes them better.
“He sets the standards for everyone. He’s not a vocal guy but he leads by example on the field by the way he conducts himself, the way the handles the ball, the way he picks out passes. He’s a great asset to the club,” Robinson said.
Laba, meanwhile, has effectively teamed with Gershon Koffie to provide the Whitecaps with a solid foundation in central midfield. He’s not flashy, but he’s dogged in the tackle, and does show quality when going forward.
“He’s been brilliant,” Robinson said of the former TFC star.
“You talk about the top midfield players in MLS, I’ve got two young layers in Koffie and Laba who I class among the top midfielders in the league,” Robinson said.
As for Wednesday’s game versus TFC, Robinson will have to do some line-up juggling due to the suspension of Harvey, and because the Whitecaps play Real Salt Lake in Utah on the weekend.
Harvey has played every minute of every game this season, so the absence of the left back is a bit of a blow for Vancouver. Also, centre back Carlyle Mitchell, who left the Chivas game after turning his ankle, is questionable.
Look for either 19-year-old Sam Adekugbe or rookie Christian Dean, the No. 3 overall in this year’s draft, to start in place of Harvey. If Mitchell can’t go, veteran Andy O’Brien would likely play alongside Johnny Leveron
“Whether it’s Christian or Sam who steps in there, I have no worries with that. Another young player who’ll bring the average age down but I have full confident in them,” Robinson stated.
Saturday programming alert: Watch the Houston Dynamo vs. Toronto FC live on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet World on July 19. Coverage begins at 9:00 pm ET. You can also watch live on Sportsnet Now. | TV schedule
