Fredy Montero lashes home his first goal for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
By Steven Agen
Following a disappointing 2016 MLS campaign, one of the central questions facing Vancouver Whitecaps manager Carl Robinson this offseason was how he would replace forward Octavio Rivero and play-maker Pedro Morales. With Rivero (who left during the summer) and Morales both departed, the Whitecaps had two open Designated Player slots. This gave Vancouver the flexibility to add plenty of talent, but the turnover can make for a disjointed squad.
It appeared as if the questions were answered, first with the signing of Yordy Reyna. The creative 23 year old midfielder joined from Red Bull Salzburg in late January. Next came the signing of former Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero.
It is simple enough to envision the front six the Whitecaps front office hoped to line up this March, with Russell Teibert and Matias Laba supporting the talented group of Alphonso Davies, Kekuta Manneh, Reyna and Montero. That unit would challenge for the best offense in the Western Conference, if not the league.
Unfortunately, we won’t see that particular combination until the summer. Reyna picked up an injury during a preseason match in Portland, throwing the Whitecaps into uncertainty again.
Such uncertainty was on display in Vancouver’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg at New York on February 22nd. While the Whitecaps arguably outplayed their hosts in a 1-1 draw, goal-scorer Kekuta Manneh was played as a central attacking midfielder, a role that diminishes the utility of Manneh’s speed and athleticism. Manneh made the most of the opportunity but was obviously out of position.
Fredy Montero before subbing on to make his Vancouver Whitecaps debut on March 2nd, 2017.
Inserting Montero into the picture didn’t make the situation look any less awkward on paper, nor did trading Giles Barnes to Orlando City for Brek Shea illuminate Vancouver’s short-term plan for their attack. Assuming Davies and Shea play wide in their 4-2-3-1, which of Manneh or Montero would Robinson task with creating their chances? Using either for that purpose seems to misuse their talents ala Manneh at New York.
When Shea started at forward in the Whitecaps’ second leg with New York at BC Place, it was clear the hosts were still seeking a solution themselves. The former FC Dallas man did well in his limited stint as a target forward, but it was apparent that it was not his natural position.
No, it was only when Fredy Montero subbed on for his Whitecaps debut on 67’ that the next few months of Vancouver soccer came into focus. Shea moved to the left wing and Manneh partnered Montero up top, and a dynamic 4-4-2 with advanced wide midfielders appeared out of the chaos and uncertainty. Montero lashed home his first goal for his new club nine minutes later, and the Whitecaps took a stranglehold on the series that they wouldn’t ever let go of.
Manneh was unlocked from his central role, free to stretch the defense vertically. Montero had a second striker to play off of, helping to create plenty of space for him. Either could drop deep to start attacks if necessary, but weren’t obligated to. Davies and Shea provided their spark on the flanks, and the whole tactical outlook of the attack went from only-maybe viable in MLS play to remarkably coherent.
Most importantly, Carl Robinson’s Whitecaps rephrased the terms of their season until Reyna rejoins them. It’s not a story of feeling a piece short in their traditional system, but one of seeing how far their new look can take them until reinforcements arrive.
The scares for the Vancouver attack are over now. Instead, it’s time to get excited for what the Vancouver Whitecaps’ 4-4-2 will do for them this spring.
