Good Monday morning Caps fans. The Super Bowl is in the books which means it is officially MLS season in North America.
This is the last week without the Whitecaps for awhile. We haven’t gotten any more incomings but I did forget to drop in an outgoing in Friday’s column and I think it deserves more discussion.
That departure is Alessandro Schopf, who officially won’t return after signing with Wolfsberger in his native Austria. I would’ve been shocked if Schopf returned, particularly given the crowded central midfield room and the fact that Jayden Nelson could conceivably play here as well. Plus, Schopf was on a number that was simply untenable for the Caps.
Schopf leaves the Caps with underwhelming box score stats: 3 goals and assists in MLS play (though that one goal was an absolute banger).
Overall, he never quite lived up to the hopes of Caps fans that he could be a viable way of progressing the ball to Ryan Gauld and put the ball in the final third more often. This is where his Football Reference stats and the eye test depart: Schopf rarely stood out on the field but is listed in the 95th percentile when it comes to progressive carries. His progressive passing is a bit weaker but better than I would have expected.
This underscores that Schopf probably wasn’t as bad as people thought by the end. He had some positive moments, including randomly working well as a wingback for a few matches. But he quite simply wasn’t worth the contract he was on. You can find any number of cheaper, domestic options who could give you roughly what Schopf did by the end and that was reflected in how much playing time he got compared with Ralph Priso or Sebastian Berhalter.
Far from the worst Caps signing in recent memory (I remember the Jon Erice and Efrain Juarez era), it is nonetheless better for both sides if Schopf moves on. Fare thee well in Austria Alessandro.
Shameless Self Promotion
Where should the Caps be looking for a Stuart Armstrong replacement? Caleb Wilkins has some ideas. Meanwhile, we trekked over to Starlight to witness Forge’s history-making upset of Pumas.
Best of the Rest
MLS is laying off staff just weeks before the new season kicks off.
Canada had no problems seeing off Turks and Caicos to start their CONCACAF U-17 championship campaign.
Ismael Kone and Tajon Buchannan made their debuts with new clubs over the weekend.
and if the new Owners are led by Ryan reynolds, then the season hopes have been turned on its head… A MASSIVE MOVE UPWARD- in a Big positive way- we can rest assured that Ownership will be passionate, and visible about soccer, the Whitecaps and the Vancouver market- Season Ticket holders will re-invest in a substantive way- and we can expect investment from the new owners by the summer
> You can find any number of cheaper, domestic options who could give you roughly what Schopf did
Sure, but you actually have to sign someone in order for that to be true 🙄