VANCOUVER – One week ago, soccer fans in this city were left wondering if the Whitecaps’ MLS season was spiraling out of control.
Vancouver was blanked 2-0 on the road last Saturday by the Seattle Sounders in a game that saw Efrain Juarez sent off for the second time this season, giving the Whitecaps their seventh red card of 2018.
Since the beginning of May, the club has won just three times in 11 MLS matches, so you can understand why fans may not have been too excited.
What a difference a week makes. On Tuesday, the club hit the jackpot in the international transfer market when Alphonso Davies signed with Bayern Munich. A day later, the Whitecaps earned a spot in the Canadian Championship final with a 2-0 victory over the Montreal Impact.
As the club returns to BC Place for Saturday’s MLS contest against Minnesota United, the players and coaches know what a win could do for the psyche of the club and its fan-base.
“All these points are important in the back half of the season,” defender Jake Nerwinksi said after Friday’s practice. “We still have 13 games to turn things around and make a push for the playoffs.”
Coach Carl Robinson was pleased with his team’s clean sheet against the Impact, and will hope his defence can blank a Minnesota side with plenty of scoring power, including Darwin Quintero (nine goals on the season), Christian Ramirez (seven goals) and Miguel Ibarra (six goals).
“[Minnesota] have got a lot of good players. We’ll want to be aware of them, but I’m more focused on our guys and what we can do,” Robinson stated.
Not to say Davies signing with a European powerhouse has been a distraction. But make no mistake, the Whitecaps are a much different team when Davies is not in the mix, as evidenced by last week’s loss in Seattle.
“We’ve missed him. It’s not been a perfect scenario, but it is what it is,” Robinson said of having Davies away from the club for three straight matches.
“If you look at the first 20 games of the season, he’s arguably been our best player. The outcome is that the young boy has got a wonderful move to a top football club where his next chapter and progression in his life is needed.”
A win on Saturday would not only see Vancouver leapfrog Minnesota in the Western Conference standings, but it would also likely put them above the playoff bar entering August. Having Davies in the squad only improves Vancouver’s chances. Not only does he lead the team with eight assists, he looks more confident every time he steps on the pitch.
“While he’s still here, I’ll still keep challenging him. It’s to get the best out of him on the field,” said Robinson, who added there is no guarantee Davies will be in the lineup against Minnesota.
“He’s done a lot of travelling. He’s told me he wants to play. If he’s full of energy, I’m sure he’ll be involved.”
NEWS AND NOTES
Saturday marks the third head-to-head meeting between Vancouver and Minnesota. In their previous fixture at BC Place last September, Yordy Reyna and Brek Shea each had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 victory. Their inaugural meeting 13 months ago saw Vancouver blow a 2-0 half-time lead in a match that ended 2-2 at TCF Bank Stadium.
Vancouver (42) and Minnesota (40) have conceded the most goals of any teams in the Western Conference. Getting the lead will be a priority for both clubs as the Whitecaps are 6-0-1 when scoring first, while the Loons are 8-1-0.
Minnesota may be in top form having won three straight, but they have been brutal on the road. The Loons are 1-8-0 away from Minneapolis, which includes seven straight defeats.
Midfielder Jordan Mutch is the only Whitecaps player sidelined with injury. Robinson says Mutch had a MRI on his foot earlier in the week, and the club is awaiting results to see how long he may be out.
Be sure to listen to Joey Kenward on a daily basis on Sportsnet 650. You can also follow him on Twitter
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