Two steps forward, one big step back. It was a common theme at BC Place in 2016 for the Vancouver Whitecaps and a difficult pill to swallow for supporters of the side. On paper there was plenty to like about 2016. The Caps won the Cascadia Cup, made the knockout stage of the CONCACAF Champions League, and brought up one of the most exciting prospects in MLS history in Alphonso Davies. That coupled with the play of goalkeeper David Ousted, midfielders Christian Techera and Kekutah Manneh certainly gave supporters something to cheer for in 2016.
So why does their 2016 campaign leave such a sour taste? Could it be their poor record during the MLS regular season (10-15-9, 39 points)? Was it losing to Toronto FC on penalties in the Voyageurs Cup? Or was it Masado Kudo’s devastating injury that ended what could have been a prosperous career?
No matter the reason 2016 was a difficult pill to swallow for Vancouver. With so much potential after a strong 2015 campaign, 2016 had all of the makings early on as being a special season. While there were certainly some moments in which Caps did live up to their potential sadly those moments were fleeting. Will do 2017 bring better fortunes? There is certainly reason to hope. But once again it will be up to coach Carl Robinson to find the right pieces to make the Caps click.
While the Caps season will kick off in under six weeks there is still plenty of time to look back at some of the Whitecaps best moments . So please enjoy Prost photographers John and Hazel May work from the sidelines at BC Place.
