Good Friday morning Caps fans, hope you all are having a lovely week and that you are getting ready for a lovely fall weekend.
It is hard to believe that another season is in the books. As always, at the end of every regular season, I get a bit wistful that I got to do this for another year. This team is never a straightforward one to be a fan of — there are lots of ups and downs. I’m glad I get to share them with everyone via this site and this column.
I have lots of thoughts on the state of this team but I’ll reserve judgement until after the decision day match against Real Salt Lake and the playoffs. For now, though, I thought it might be fun to run through the awards for the team (given that no one will be in contention for the MLS-wide awards). Disagree? Feel free to yell at me in the comments.
MVP: Ryan Gauld
Sometimes the obvious answer is the correct one and that is the case here. 21 goals and assists for Gauld is almost pedestrian for the Scot, at least after the 29 he racked up in 2023. But it is still nothing to sniff at. And Gauld’s absence down the stretch showed that this team just isn’t the same at consistently creating chances without him in the lineup. Hopefully a healthy Stuart Armstrong can help with that but, for now, it underscores that no one matches Gauld’s value to this team.
Signing of the Season: Fafa Picault
I almost didn’t do this award because, well, there isn’t really any competition. But I forged on anyway, as Picault performed far above anyone’s realistic expectations. 16 goals and assists in all competitions is the most he’s racked up in his career and his pace and unpredictability helped open up space for other attackers too, contributions that won’t show up in the stat sheet. Repeating a career high next year might be tough but that’s a good problem to have.
Underrated Player of the Year: Sebastian Berhalter
Berhalter wound up playing several different positions (8/6/wingback) and had moments of magic at all three. Three goals and four assists (Berhalter underperformed his expected assists so he probably deserved even more) is nothing to sneeze at given that he wasn’t a nailed on starter. If Andres Cubas does move along, Berhalter’s excellent delivery from wide areas and long balls mean he could slot easily into the lineup. His defense also got better this year.
Disappointment of the Year: Pedro Vite
With Pedro Vite, I feel a little bit like Charlie Brown repeatedly falling on his rear end after whiffing on the football being held by Lucy. Vite has never cleared the “solid but not spectacular” hurdle in his entire Caps career, despite me feeling that this is going to be the year he takes the next step. For much of the start of the season, he probably wasn’t even that good, though his end to the year has looked much more lively. A deeper lying role didn’t really help, however. At age 22 there is still plenty of time. But the big step didn’t come for Vite.
Defender of the Year: Ranko Veselinovic
The Caps’ end of season tailspin probably cost Ranko a shout in the MLS Defender of the Year category but he is comfortably in that spot for the Caps. His aerial ability and solid positioning makes him one of the best rest defenders in the league. Ask him to run and things get a bit harrier but the Caps have certainly maximized their investment in Ranko and he remains the bedrock of their backline.
Young Player of the Year: Ali Ahmed
Ali was another player who didn’t quite take the next step this year, between injuries and Copa America duty. But he remains as rock solid of a prospect as the Caps have had in a long time and he offers something no one else on this team does. His goal against San Jose early in the season is up there for goal of the season.
Shameless Self Promotion
Caleb dives in with a smart look at what the heck is going on with the Whitecaps these days — and whether things are as bad as they seem. The podcast, meanwhile, looks ahead to Decision Day.
Best of the Rest
A look at the Decision Day stakes for the Caps (hint: it isn’t looking good).
The Portland Thorns blasted the Whitecaps women at BC Place 6-0, a fitting send off for Christine Sinclair in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Canada beat Panama in a friendly and Moise Bombito showed his move to Ligue 1 hasn’t impacted his national team play.
Don Garber wants FIFA to be careful it doesn’t overload players with the bigger Club World Cup format.
i think you got most of them right — some were easy, but you put the time in and every reader celebrates your work
i would have a topic called- MYSTERY PLAYER — you dont really know what you are going to get in a game from these 2 players- sometimes they both look like break-out players and then DUD or MEH
talking about pedro vite (who IMO, will never go much further as he lacks the drive and consistency – some good skills but we only get to see them periodically and in gritty games, he fades… not a good sign for a player some think will get signed by a euro club- he might but it will be a D 2 status)- he is a player you can never count on to rise to the occasion… not my type of player to have on a professional team
Ali Ahmed is a late bloomer, but he has so little offensive punch- what goes on in his head when he has chances is a mystery, but he just dreads/freezes putting his laces to the ball- and he isnt physically strong and never will be- its not in his DNA- an intelligent player, but just not enough– plays like an 18 year old, but his injuries are accumulating– still, there is a window of promise for Ali, but he is going to have to do a lot of work in the off-season- a mid-level Euro league might help him develop
another topic is MOST PROMISING- and that has to be Isaac Boehmer who i have been saying is worth the #1 goalie position for 2025- at $700K less money in salary and a home-grown talent, possesses good hands, gives up very few rebounds, covers his angles well and is much taller on crosses in the box- the Caps would be foolish to let him go- which he will- and re-sign takaoka, a slightly above average MLS goalie- but the Caps have let others go and thats always discouraging for the young academy Caps– the good news is the Caps signed Isaac to a 2 year contract which means…
as far as Veselinovic goes, i think he had a very good second half to the season, but having to cover for the other 2 defenders who regularly get beat makes Ranko’s game look weaker- unfortunately, he is stuck with a head coach who wont change the formation- might he be traded back to europe ??
as far as Vanni Sartini goes– continue with him and we will have another #7-11 finish- could we do better with the Hamilton head coach, Bobby Smyrniotis, who has a terrific record since 2018 ( 81W, 36D, 45L) and is a studier and learner of the beautiful game ? its a risk, but YUP, i would take a flyer on him- he can motivate his Team, develop young talent and gets great results – we all know the Caps never have and will never hire an experienced Euro or MLS head coach
The only award I disagree with is Ahmed for Best Young Player.
Ali is 24 years old. He plays like a teenager, but he is actually supposed to be entering his prime. I think that you could take much of what you wrote about Vite and apply it to Ahmed, the difference is that Vite is actually two years younger!
I would rank them as follows:
1) Berhalter – 23 yo (7 G+A in MLS, plus a goal in the League’s Cup)
2) Boehmer – 22 yo (Excellent run in the Can Championship, MVP for the only trophy we are winning this year)
3) Vite – 22 yo (4 G+A in MLS plus a goal in League’s Cup)
4) Ahmed – 24 yo (2 G+A in MLS)
Biggest disappointment should go to Kreilach instead of Vite.
Biggest disappointment should continue to be Schopf but Vite wins the award for most overrated by the podcast hosts, with second being Raposo. Berhalter has really developed this season.
Picault wins the make Caleb eat crow award.
https://thethirdsub.ca/2024/01/12/picault/