Good Friday morning Caps fans, hope you all are having a lovely week and that you are gearing up for a well-deserved break this weekend.
It has become a rare week now where we don’t have a midweek match to chew over but we have a nice pause this week to take a breath before two straight weeks with CONCACAF Champions Cup.
It has been another week, however, where the Caps’ squad has been much-admired, both in the MLS media world and, apparently, among other teams.
There was a report out of Italy that AS Roma were kicking around a bid for Pedro Vite. That shouldn’t be a surprise and, frankly, is the level Vite should be aiming for given his strong performances for club and country. AFTN, however, followed that up by reporting that the interest is not concrete and, thus, I am choosing not to worry about it for the time being.
We’ve also seen a rumor going around which is more funny than worrying, which is that LAFC made a cash transfer bid for Andres Cubas at some point in time.
Now, to be clear, I’m not totally sure where this report originated and while I would believe it, given LAFC’s midfield issues this season, I don’t know that I would take it as gospel. It falls in the “wish it were true” category, as the bid that would be needed from another MLS team for Cubas (much less from a key rival) would be astronomical and one imagines any calls for the Designated Player were met with riotous laughter from the front office.
This is a rare position for the Caps, with more rumors linking their players to transfers out, rather than incoming signings. It is, as we’ve discussed before, a good problem to have. And I have less anxiety about this new world order given Jesper Sorensen’s knack for getting the most out of guys who will not attract attention from other clubs (Seb Berhalter, Tate Johnson, etc.).
The Caps head into this weekend’s tilt with St. Louis City in a good position. St. Louis have been in middling form, largely due to their inability to hit the broadside of a barn in the attack. In that sense, they offer a similar challenge to Austin: a team that can be buttoned up and neutralize a possession-based side but have trouble going forward. St. Louis’ match against Columbus is probably what they will hope to replicate, minus the poor end to the second half.
This being MLS, Vancouver won’t dominate every match and will lose to teams they should beat. But hey, might as well keep the good times rolling.
Shameless Self Promotion
The biggest news of the week was the inaugural Vancouver Rise match, with a Quinn penalty lifting the home side to victory at BC Place. We have a full recap here on the historic moment. On the men’s side, get caught up on anything Canadian Premier League you might have missed.
Best of the Rest
The Whitecaps are number 1 in the MLS power rankings — this is not a drill!
My preferred MLS podcast, Soccerwise, had a great discussion with Axel Schuster on the hot start, Inter Miami and what comes next for the club.
Tragic news, as former FC Cincinnati striker Aaron Boupendza died in China on Wednesday. May he rest in peace.
A quartet of MLS clubs are reportedly interested in Kevin De Bruyne (mercifully all in the Eastern Conference).
I’ve really been enjoying the Soccerwise podcast as well. Just started listening this year, after MLS Extra Time folded. For those that think “nobody in the US pays attention to the Whitecaps”, they would be wise to listen to this and be proven wrong.
It’s been miraculous that Tait Johnson has provided as much as he has, stepping in as a 19 year old draft pick, but I’m looking forward to seeing Sam back out there and both flanks looking very dangerous.
After the ‘Caps allowed Beitashour to walk away after one great season in 2015? the right back position looked like an express lane to the six yard box. That one position probably lost them a dozen points that year and, despite looking fairly adequate elsewhere, they never stabilized. Like the shell of an egg, the team is so much stronger when it has consistent strength across its whole form.
Tait had a couple gaffs early on but managed to fill the breach admirably and look where they are now. Ngando, Priso, Ocampo, Halbouni – who imagined they’d get such resilience and effectiveness out of these guys? I actually look forward to seeing subs this year, knowing that good things might still happen and that rotation is going to help in the long run.
The simple elegance of Sorensen ball is possible in large measure because of the quality of these depth players.
with Adekugbe near returning and Ryan Gauld within a couple of weeks, Jesper is going to have fun chosing his lineups- can the Boys continue this run where interchanging players is an apple for an apple ?? the only player that seems to be a necessity is Brian White, followed by our 2 CBs- pinch me if it continues for the next month… and i think it will– i see no reason for or sign of a serious fall-off
Salty