It’s getting hard to find new things to say about games where the Whitecaps smothered their opponent and won pretty easily. When the Whitecaps were bad I used to wonder what the writers for blogs that covered good teams would talk about. I guess this season I get to find out.
The commentary team mentioned that Jesper Sørensen feels his defence doesn’t get enough credit. Well, let’s give them some. In their 7 MLS games the Whitecaps opponents have managed to get double digit shots only once (it was CF Montreal). Shots on target is not a very useful stat in my opinion but the Whitecaps are giving up, on average, two per game. This is with Edier Ocampo and Tate Johnson probably playing a lot more minutes (and doing well) than the team would have hoped for.
I thought this was Ali Ahmed’s best MLS game of the season. Having two major goal threats in Brian White and Emmanuel Sabbi seemed to open up a lot more space for him to run into. He had 3 shots and 3 key passes, including a very nice assist. I doubt he will ever be a super high goal-scorer but if he can do this consistently that would be very nice.
Emmanuel Sabbi is looking like a fantastic addition. Like Ahmed and Jayden Nelson he brings speed and ball carrying but Sabbi comes with a bit more power and direct goal threat. The Whitecaps turned over a lot of their recruitment staff over the past year but the new crew have the midas touch at the moment. Sabbi and Nelson were both players with some question marks around their goal contribution records but they both look like massive hits so far.
Looking ahead, the Whitecaps have a bit of a tougher schedule coming up. There is the second leg against Pumas followed by Austin (H), St. Louis (A), and Minnesota (A), all of whom look at least some degree of good. Looking at Vancouver’s bench for this game, that is going to be quite a tough run.
Vancouver has gotten a lot of praise for their depth this season and that’s true in the sense that the players who would be back-ups when everyone is fit are relatively good. But it is very much not true in the sense of absolute numbers.
There are only 25 players on the roster at the moment. That includes 3rd keeper Adrian Zendejas and Damir Kreilach who seems to be very much not in the plans. So, with 5 players out injured (and Belal Halbouni absent from the squad today because…???) you are basically rocking with 17 guys at the moment.
Still, even if the Whitecaps do falter a little bit from here, they have banked so many points that they should be fine. They are 7 points clear of the play-in game, well on track to to exceed even the relatively positive pre-season projections of notable analysts (including all of us at the Third Sub).
While Ocampo does have the occasional brain fart, which leaves the flank exposed (see Chicago second goal last week but also once or twice yesterday), his combo with Sabbi on the right last night was simply electric. The two have strength, speed, and technique that makes this a joy to watch.
It’s amazing what confidence can do in taking a player to the next level (Vite, Berhalter) and help newcomers adjust to MLS. Hopefully some injured players are back soon. Halbouni is underrated, and should have been brought in as a closer vs. Pumas, not a youngster.
I totally agree on not bringing in Halbouni I thought for sure he was going to be the one coming on!
Bovalina is also “there” but not really. No minutes played yet.
Quite a shame. I thought he looked good on his few appearances last season. Still needs time to develop though, so maybe that’s why.
Only 18K in the building to watch currently the best team in the league, it’s simply not good enough. hopefully people in the city catch onto how good this team is
Vancouver has always been a tough sports team market. They couldn’t even keep an NBA franchise. The bandwagon jumpers will get on board around mid season if this form continues (I think it will). Just the way Vancouver’s always been.
There was a good crowd for the Dallas game. I think the first days of beautiful weather changed plans. The streets in our hood were packed with people just sitting outside hitting cafes and restaurants etc. But the other week it was full and the vibes were amazing.
Meant Chicago LOL
of course, head coach, jesper sorensen get a lot of credit for the positive and creative Teamwotk- they play as a unit and support each other, both offensively and defensively- and i think this why the Caps have done without key players- and Birian White keeps on scoring
kuddos to the keen eye of scouting and selecting hidden talent; i especially like the mature play of Tate Johnson, the explosive talent of Ocampo and the growth of Ngando and Vite in MF; and i doubt there is a better duo on defense than Vesalinovic and Blackmon
we can truly see for the first time that there is competition to be a starter- rotation play doesnt decrease the quality and that is a sign of a good Team
Salty
I’m happy to see Ahmed shooting at net. I think even the goalie was surprised at a few of them (probably scouted as a passer and not a shot taker).
Keep up the good work boys!
Ali surprisingly had 3 shots on goal – he has to knick the odd goal to make his soccer resume more noticeable
Was thinking the same – in prior games he was doing great runs but then smashing crosses into the first defender all the time. Nice to see him take on the defender and get shots through.
The flank attacking flair of the wingers in Sorensen’s system has been a major upgrade over the predictable wingback contributions of the likes of Raposo (cut back and recycle possession even when in a 1 v 1 or deliver an inswinging cross). I can see why Axel let him go. Ahmed was excellent, Sabbi looked great, and a healthy Nelson has impressed.
And…all with out the Scottish talisman! How about that?
The rookie LB has been a pleasant surprise, as well. He will have his down moments as the season progresses, no doubt, but I think that was an astute selection.
i totally agree- but dont miss the deceptive Glider, JC Ngando and the major impact of an energetic, creative Pedro Vite (who might be gone by the summer if he keeps playing this way)
Salty
Vite is playing with a ton of confidence right now and finally fulfilling his promise. Ngando is another late bloomer who has impressed.
They did addition by subtraction in ditching Levonte Johnson (a baked cake with little ceiling) and woke hero Raposo. Schopf was a bust and Armstrong didn’t want to be here.
I will stll like to see Boehmer get more of a shot in MLS league play.
YES to Boehmer- glue him to the bench and he will ask to be traded – not sure how long he will be patient
its not like Takaoka is a whole lot better– and he is at his ceiling- his 1 skill that is better than Boehmer is kicking
Boehmer has age and a taller presence in the box- hasnt reached his ceiling – needs real game experience