Good Monday morning Caps fans, hope you all are having a good start to your week and that it is full of fall leaves and good vibes.
I’m running out ways to talk about the bad vibes currently permeating the Whitecaps at the worst possible time, with two top teams — and the playoffs — looming. A 1-0 loss to Minnesota United on Saturday dropped them into the play-in game, a place you really do not want to be.
Being an 8 or 9 seed would mean having to beat the chaotic Portland Timbers — no easy feat — before a three game series against the chaotic LA Galaxy, also a tall task. Not a great blueprint for a long awaited playoff run.
The disappointing thing about Saturday is this was basically the first choice starting XI for Vancouver and … they did basically nothing for much of the match. The penalty call was harsh, as the foul appeared to take place outside the box, and Sam Adekugbe was denied a seemingly good goal by VAR.
But to do nothing in response was unacceptable in a must-win match at home. That leaves the Caps in need of beating LAFC during the international break, sans Gauld. The Caps have whipped improbable results against LA teams out of their tailpipes before but this feels unlikely.
There is plenty of time for change (and I would advocate moving back towards a 4-3-2-1 formation might help) but we’ve now reached a crisis point where that change needs to happen ASAP.
Shameless Self Promotion
Our ace team of reporters have more on another lackluster display at BC Place.
Best of the Rest
As the Caps stumble towards the playoffs, the rest of the BC sports scene isn’t looking much better.
It was a stellar weekend for one of Canada’s top players heading into the international break.
The weird transfer saga of Cavalry/former Caps man Myer Bevan and his apparent move to Auckland City.
Austin FC have sacked manager Josh Wolff, shortly after they were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Isn’t Vite a mid and Becher a forward ? I love Becher my kid ran into him on the streets a couple times but different positions. Glad he is doing well!
That was in reply to SB.
interesting to note that former ex-Cap, Simon Becher, scored 2 goals for St Louis over the weekend and now has 4 G since joining them- Pedro Vite has 1goal- simon wasnt good enough here – thats Vanni’s position and yet he continues to play an ineffective formation over the past 4 weeks that has netted us 2/12 points vs MLS opposition- Vite needs a rocket up his arse or traded… i would choose the latter
as for 2025, i only see these players as worth keeping- gauld, picault, white, berhalter, cubas, veselinovic, boehmer, halbouni, ocampo and armstrong
and i only see the goalie coach, Youssef Dahha, as worth keeping
this team is poorly organized and unmotivated – and all Vanni can do is confront and yell at the refs who didnt have a great match, but didnt cost us the game – not sure if he deserves another year as head coach
i figure 2024 is finished, the sooner the better- i accept loosing as part of the game, BUT i cant accept a team that plays defeated and unmotivated
those are my grouches —
Nobody said Simon wasn’t good enough. He was transferred because a team from Europe came for him. The Whitecaps talk frequently about being a “sign, develop team, transfer out”, but rarely succeed in actually doing the “develop and transfer out for a profit” part, so I can understand why they would take the opportunity to sell a player on – it’s usually what the player wants (ie getting to Europe) and it’s “proof of concept” when trying to convince other young players to sign. The only bizarre part was Becher having such a short stay in Denmark.
He didn’t perform that well in Denmark. He’s actually on loan, likely to see if he’s worth keeping. We’ll see by the end of the year.
the only reason becher went to europe was because Vanni had no faith that he could develop- Simon rarely got minutes playing and if he did, it was in the last 10-15 minute range – Becher did the right thing- he blew Dodge and its working for him- good on him !!
and goalie, Isaac Boehmer, will blow dodge if the Caps re-sign Takaoka – Boehmer needs to be given the opportunity to be #1 – he is ready
Vite is supposed to be an Attacking MF – 7 goals in 3 years is low, low, low- my point was– becher has made progress, vite hasnt- Vanni gave up on becher, but still sees vite as a regular starter