Carl Robinson shook up his backline today with the addition of Uruguayan centre back, Diego Rodriguez, on a one-year loan from Club Atletico Juventud de Las Piedras, while they waved goodbye to fan-favourite Andy O’Brien having failed to come to terms on a new deal.
The former Republic of Ireland international enjoyed two and a half seasons in Vancouver helping the club reach the MLS playoffs twice, garnering 50 appearances. Both parties were unable to come to an agreement on an extension and it’s now being reported O’Brien is exploring options in Europe.
At 35 the veteran defender isn’t getting any younger and despite the affection the club has for the former Newcastle United man now is the time for the club to cut ties and look towards upgrading if they expect to challenge in the west this year. Unless he was willing to take a steep pay cut it was unlikely we would see Andy back in a ‘Caps jersey this season. Especially after watching Jay DeMerit struggle with fitness last year while taking up a good chunk of the salary cap.
It isn’t any secret that Carl Robinson is keen on South Americans and now with the addition of Diego Rodriguez we have a hungry 24 year-old who has already experienced a different culture in Spain, where he played alongside Pedro Morales at Malaga, albeit for the reserve side.
Then Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini saw enough in Diego to bring him to Spain at the tender age of 19 after he debuted in the Uruguayan Primera Division for Montevideo Wanderers FC. “His footwork is excellent, his positioning, his stepping, his dropping … he’s a defender,” said Robinson of his newest acquisition.
Vancouver can now call upon Christian Dean or Diego Rodriguez to partner Kendall Waston this season. There may even be an experienced MLSer snapped up in the next week to provide competition for places. Then there’s even Residency product Jackson Farmer who will be given the opportunity to play in Vancouver with VWFC 2 in USL-PRO.
That’s even before the MLS SuperDraft tomorrow were the Whitecaps will select 13th overall. The 13th pick in past SuperDrafts saw Chicago Fire take Marco Franco in 2014, Jason Johnson went to the Houston Dynamo in 2013, forward Chandler Hoffman joined Philadelphia in 2012, while former ‘Cap Corey Hertzog was taken by New York Red Bulls in 2011.
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