Every Friday, sportsnet.ca will chat with Sportsnet 650 radio commentator Dan Riccio about the big stories and issues surrounding the Vancouver Whitecaps.
SN: How would you characterize the Whitecaps’ performance in last week’s 0-0 home draw against a short-handed LA Galaxy side?
RICCIO: The Whitecaps were disappointing – it was a match they should have taken three points from. The Galaxy were missing both Giovani and Jonathan Dos Santos, Romain Alessandrini, Ola Kamara, Ashley Cole, and several others. They didn’t have a designated player in the lineup. I look at that Galaxy team, and see a squad that is only going to get better as the year goes on, especially with Zlatan Ibrahimovic coming into the fold. The Galaxy could be the team to beat in the West by season’s end. Vancouver will feel the loss of those points later on, as the playoff spots in the West are not going to be as easy to come by as they were last year.
One of the common criticisms levelled by fans and media at coach Carl Robinson is that he can be too conservative in his approach and tactics at times. Is that a fair critique?
It is a fair critique, and I too find myself wanting to see a more attacking style of play from the Whitecaps. I think that’s a normal reaction from soccer fans. We all want to see an exciting brand of soccer. However, Robbo has earned results away from BC Place with a certain style of play. Vancouver had the best road record in the West last season and it was the big reason why they finished as high in the standings as they did. I think we’re seeing more and more tactical variations amongst coaches in MLS, and we should know this is part of the Whitecaps identity with Carl as their coach. My biggest concern is how that style translates in the post-season, and the result against Seattle last year has left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans here in Vancouver.
What’s been your impression of Felipe and the influence, if any, he’s had on Vancouver’s playing style?
Felipe has been better with each game. It’s not easy joining a team as late as he did in pre-season and fitting in seamlessly. He can be that ball distributor in midfield that I thought the club lacked last year. I think Robbo is still searching for that perfect mixture in midfield with the players he has available to him. One thing is clear though, Felipe will be a major part of it. With the Red Bulls, only Sacha Kljestan created more scoring chances than Felipe in 2017. Vancouver needs the Brazilian to be that player for them if they are going to reach their ceiling as a squad this season.
Has Vancouver got enough out of Yordy Reyna through the first four games of the campaign?
No, they haven’t. Reyna has played a little deeper in midfield than what we saw last year and I do believe that is part of the reason why he hasn’t been as effective this term. He worked best in tandem with Fredy Montero, and I don’t believe we’ve seen that chemistry grow with Kei Kamara just yet. I’d like to see Reyna get into more advanced positions, especially when the Whitecaps are in attack mode like they were last Saturday against the Galaxy. As of right now, Reyna is only averaging one shot per game, and less than one key pass per game (pass that leads to a shot). That is not nearly influential enough to get the job done for the Whitecaps.
How do you think the Whitecaps match up against the Columbus Crew ahead of Saturday’s game in Ohio? What are you expecting from Vancouver?
The Whitecaps are in tough against Columbus. I admire coach Gregg Berhalter as one of the better tacticians in the league, and that’s a team that has been able to find a lot of talent on a budget. Columbus can score about as well as any side in MLS, especially at home. I expect Vancouver to do what they did in Houston a few weeks back, set up defensively and try to hit their opponent on the counter. Columbus have not given up many shots this year either, so Vancouver will have to make the most of any opportunities they get.
Be sure to listen to Dan Riccio on a daily basis on Sportsnet 650. You can also follow Dan Riccio on Twitter
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