VANCOUVER – It was a campaign that ended in bitter disappointment for the Whitecaps, as Vancouver crashed out in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs against FC Dallas, largely due to a controversial referee’s decision.
But while the bitterness of the way that game ended will surely linger well into the off-season, when a deep breath is taken there are plenty of positives to take from what was an overwhelmingly successful first campaign for Carl Robinson as coach.
Despite taking the reins amidst the chaos of the Camilo dispute, Robinson went about bringing in some quality signings and never used the Brazilian star’s brazen departure as an excuse.
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It wasn’t a perfect season—no such thing exists—but Robinson put together an efficient, steady outfit that defended well and showed flare in patches. The Welshman led the team back to the playoffs, guided the club to its first ever berth in the CONCACAF Champions League and helped the side defend its Cascadia Cup title.
While it was a good season, there were deficiencies offensively—Vancouver had the least goals of any playoff team. That will need to be addressed over the winter, likely by bringing in an experienced striker or two.
But before we look at what’s next, let’s have a look at how individual players and their coach fared this year.
Carl Robinson (A): The Welsh tactician will surely be thrilled with his first campaign as a coach. He made plenty of changes after Camilo sprung for Mexico and despite the Whitecaps losing their MVP, Robinson helped Vancouver begin to find a new identity.
David Ousted (A+): On a team that struggled to score, Ousted’s consistency was absolutely vital. The Danish netminder led MLS in shutouts in 2014 with 13 and looked far more settled in his first full campaign with the club than he did after arriving mid-summer last season.
Jordan Harvey (A-): He played more minutes than any other outfield player and with good reason. Over his time with the Whitecaps, Harvey has grown into a leadership role and is a steady force on the left side of defence. Beyond his defensive stability, he constantly pushes up into a wing position to provide midfield support when his team is looking to counter.
Matias Laba (A): An excellent first season for the defensive midfielder and for many people he is this side’s MVP. He wins the vast majority of 50/50 balls he goes for and even when he doesn’t outright win the ball, he disrupts attacks by forcing opponents into less dangerous positions. Is Laba the best defensive midfielder in MLS? The fact some are having this discussion shows just how good he was this year.
Pedro Morales (B+): Consistency was an issue for Morales, but when he was good, he was excellent. As the season wore on, it became clear that fatigue was an issue for the Chilean, who came straight to MLS after playing in Spain, with very little in the way of recovery time. A fresh and rejuvenated Morales could be a very, very scary thing for opposing teams in 2014. But if he looks as dog tired next season as he did down the stretch, the Whitecaps will be a lot less dangerous offensively.
Steven Beitashour (A-): Beitashour was steady at right fullback without being spectacular. He didn’t contribute as much offensively as some had hoped he would, but proved an upgrade over Lee Young-Pyo, who showed his age last season.
Andy O’Brien (A): The former Irish international showed his quality and leadership this season, playing more minutes than Robinson likely planned for him. At age 35, who knows how much mileage is left, but he’s given the Whitecaps little choice but to bring him back. If not, based on his performance this season, surely there will be other suitors.
Russell Teibert (B+): The energetic Canadian established himself as a central midfield player this season, but could still contribute more offensively. Just two assists in 2014 isn’t enough for a player with the quality to be a lot more deadly in the final third.
Sebastian Fernandez (B+): The Uruguayan is one of those players who is not quite a winger and not quite a forward. Given how many times he played up top, five goals isn’t enough of a contribution, but his brace in early October against FC Dallas was very important in helping the club make the playoffs.
Erik Hurtado (B+): Known as an athletic player, Hurtado proved to many that there’s more to his game than just his speed and strength. He still needs to round out his game and become more lethal in front of goal, but there’s little doubt now he’s a player capable of playing in MLS.
Darren Mattocks (B): It wasn’t a bad season from Mattocks, but it wasn’t a good one, either. He has yet to hit the heights many thought he would after his explosive rookie season, but if there is a bright side it’s that this was a largely drama free campaign.
Gershon Koffie (B): The Ghanaian had a steady season but still has a lot more to offer. Injury down the stretch meant he didn’t enter the playoffs at full match fitness, but despite that Robinson selected him ahead of Teibert, showing just how highly his coach rates him.
Johnny Leveron (B-): The Honduran defender was steady when called upon, but will be frustrated to not make the breakthrough to a starting position. With the arrival of Kendall Waston and the steady form of O’Brien, he could find himself primarily as the man to cover for those two. Entering next season at age 25 it will be interesting to see how long he will be willing to play that role.
Kekuta Manneh (B): He’s just 19 and has the ability to change a game. Defensively there are still deficiencies at times but that’s not where his strengths will ever lie. The player will likely be disappointed with how few starts he made, but he will need to add more end-product to win more playing time.
Jay DeMerit (B): He played just 11 matches before deciding it was time to retire. There was no question even in his final season he still had a presence on the field, but the former American international likely chose the right time to hang up the boots for his long-term health.
Kendall Waston (A): An excellent acquisition, the giant Costa Rican is perhaps the best centre back the Whitecaps have had in the MLS era. He’s also a threat offensively from set pieces and when he has a full season to settle in he could become even more effective.
Mauro Rosales (A): A classy player with an excellent touch and a fiery attitude, it’s difficult not to admire what Rosales brings to the game. Many fans will be hoping the Argentine is back for a full season next year after arriving in a trade this year.
Carlyle Mitchell (C+): A steady and reliable depth player, Mitchell will find it hard to get many more minutes in 2015.
Nigel Reo-Coker (C-): The Whitecaps eventually dumped him to Chivas USA, but it’s fair to say the player’s attitude and contribution left a lot to be desired.
Kenny Miller (B): The Scotsman had a steady start to the campaign, bagging three goals in seven starts, before heading back to the United Kingdom.
Nicolas Mezquida (B-): A useful option off the bench, the Uruguayan will perhaps feel a bit aggrieved not to have made more starts given the poor production from his fellow forwards.
Mehdi Ballouchy (C): Given this side’s strong midfield and his history with injury, Ballouchy isn’t likely to play anything more than a support role if he sticks around.
Omar Salgado (C-): Little impact from his limited minutes. Expect the sides to part ways this off-season.
Ethen Sampson (B): The South African put in a steady performance in his two regular season games and his playoff appearance.
Sam Adekugbe/Christian Dean (unrated): Both of these youngsters can become starters in MLS, but they will need more minutes to develop.
Martin MacMahon is a Vancouver-based writer. Follow him on Twitter