2017 Record: 15-12-7, 52 points, Third Place in the Western Conference. Vancouver lost to the Seattle Sounders in the Conference Semifinals
Coach: Carl Robinson
Key Additions: GK Brian Rowe (Los Angeles Galaxy), DEF Doneil Henry (West Ham United), DEF Jose Aja (Orlando City SC), MID Efrain Juarez (Monterrey), FWD Anthony Blondell (Monagas SC), FWD Kei Kamara (New England Revolution)
Key Departures: GK David Ousted (D.C. United), DEF Deklan Wynne (Colorado Rapids), MID Jordan Harvey (LAFC), MID Christian Bolanos (option declined), MID Matias Laba (option declined) FWD Freddy Montero (Tianjin Teda)
The Big Question: Will Robinson allow his attackers to put their feet on the gas?
With Kei Kamara (12 goals, 5 assists in 2017), Yordy Reyna (6 goals, 4 assists), Alphonso Davies (9 starts), and Anthony Blondell (24 goals for Monagas in Venezuela) the Whitecaps may perhaps have one of the best attacking corps in all of Major League Soccer. With Kamara and Blondell up top and Davies and Reyna creating havoc on the outside the Whitecaps have the ability to show a little more of what they were doing last year if they so choose.
Of course the operative word there is if. For those who have watched the Vancouver Whitecaps under the Carl Robinson era it always seemed as if the club had the pieces necessary to dominate other sides just that there was always something missing. Whether it was coaches confidence in their players, peculiar alignments that put the club at a disadvantage, or having players on the pitch that just did not seem to mesh with the rest of the group (see: Shea, Brek) it has always felt as if the Whitecaps never do themselves any favors. Part of it does seem to be a hesitancy on the part of Robinson. Perhaps it is his over-cautiousness but he always seems to be in favor of toning down his attackers.
Particularly with Davies Robinson has to be more flexible in how he uses him. It was strange seeing Davies play for Canada last season where he was given free reign to break down defenses and then with Vancouver where his style was a bit more subdued. Kamara, Reyna, and Blondell are all veterans and either have the pull to play their style or can adapt when necessary. Davies has grown quite a bit over the past two seasons but his growth shouldn’t come at the expense of his ingenuity. If Robinson can figure out a way to use him and the rest of their attacking corps more efficiently, watch out.
Area to keep an eye on: Goalkeeper
The David Ousted era is finally over in British Columbia. So what’s next? While the club did seem content at using Stefan Marinovic at the end of last season they also picked up Brian Rowe the former Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper (They also have Spencer Richey, who is on loan with FC Cincinnati). While Rowe did not have the best of seasons last year with the Galaxy, much of that could also be blamed on LA’s swiss cheese defense. Marinovic still seems as if he is Robinson’s favorite to start. But if he struggles early look for Rowe to get some looks.
Outcome:3rd-5th Western Conference
It is difficult to predict where the Whitecaps might land because so much of it depends upon their manager and the decisions that he makes on matchday. In the attack the club looks stacked with Reyna, Davies, Kamara, and Blondell. As for their defense while there are certainly some questions (Can Sean Franklin still play a full 90 minutes? Is Doneil Henry healthy? Who will replace Kendall Wasdon during the World Cup?) there is enough talent to overcome any deficencies. But it all depends upon Robinson and the decisions that he makes throughout the season. There is no reason to think that this club cannot compete at the top of the Western Conference. But Robinson has a history of odd formations and playing players out of position which inevitably ends up hurting the side. If Robinson can find a plan that works for his players and stick to it this is a very dangerous team. If.
Vancouver Whitecaps
MLS
