Good Monday morning Caps fans. Hope you all are staying safe and warm and getting your week off to a good start.
We will pick up where we left off on Friday, when I had to rush to update the column with late-breaking rumors regarding the departure of Joedrick Pupe back to Belgium. The move would help ease the glut of centerbacks that the Caps have amassed.
In truth, I feel a bit bad for Pupe, who will be forever linked with the slipping away of MLS Cup 2025, despite being thrust into a very tough role. He came with a good reputation in Belgium, and his ball-playing abilities seemed like a natural fit for Sorensen-ball.
Pupe instead became a casualty of Ralph Priso’s rise and development into an MLS-caliber centerback, which made someone in the CB room surplus to requirements. Given Sebastian Schonlau’s age and the club’s disinterest in moving Tristan Blackmon or Ranko Veselinovic, Pupe would be a logical odd man out.
The Caps might not be content with standing pat, however. They have been linked with Polish defender Stratos Svarnas, who seems like an adequate depth option. I would almost rather they save the international spot and bring back Belal Halbouni, though his long-term injury might reduce his value, given that the Caps will be most skint for CBs at the start of the season before Veselinovic’s return.
It appears we won’t have to wait much longer for the next incoming transfer, however, with reports out of South America (from the generally very reliable CL Merlo) that the Caps are closing in on a deal to sign winger Bruno Caicedo from Barcelona SC (no, not that Barcelona).
I don’t know much about Caicedo, and neither do you, unless you are a religious watcher of the Ecuadorian league. I have to say I am a bit bummed about this one, as I was holding out hope for Maxloren Castro to fill the final U-22 initiative spot. But it sounds like the Peruvian is holding out for Europe.
Caicedo has three goals and three assists in 31 appearances for Orense (another Serie A side) this season. He seems to be another dribble-y winger (like Castro) and would fill the Jayden Nelson/Ali Ahmed-sized hole in the squad. He also appears to be a bit more of a physical presence, which you would hope might translate a bit better in MLS. My knee-jerk reaction is maybe the Caps could have found someone with a bit more pedigree (though Caicedo does have four caps for Ecuador’s youth team, which is certainly not nothing). But I think that might be harsh on Caicedo.
At 21, he is far from a finished product. And Axel Schuster has nailed the U-22 initiative signings to date. Simply put, if Schuster and Jesper Sorensen see something there (like they did with Kenji Cabrera), then they should be trusted. After all, the last time the Caps went shopping in Ecuador for a U-22, things worked out very well for all involved.
Best of the Rest
Best wishes to former Caps player Brett Levis, who announced his retirement over the weekend.
Kenji Cabrera (sensibly) made Matt Doyle’s list of nine players who could raise their team’s ceilings this season.
We likely won’t be seeing Inter Miami in the Copa Libertadores anytime soon, despite the team’s ambitious bid to play in South America.
It sounds like Marcelo Flores is making a one-time switch to play for Canada, in a big win for the CMNT.
looks like the Caps medical team got Gauld’s injury ALL WRONG- hopefully i am wrong but it doesnt look good – at the earliest, maybe the summer he can return- i guess for Ryan and all of us… will he ever be 100% healed ??
Salty
SAD BREAKING NEWS………The Vancouver Whitecaps will be without captain Ryan Gauld to start the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
The club has announced the Scottish midfielder had a arthroscopic debridement procedure done on his left knee in Innsbruck, Austria, on Tuesday.
Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster says in a statement that the club believes Gauld will make a full recovery by April.
out 6-8 weeks
Arthroscopic debridement of the knee is a minimally invasive surgical procedure aimed at removing damaged cartilage and tissue to alleviate pain and improve joint function, particularly in cases of arthritis or knee injuries.
What is Arthroscopic Debridement?
Arthroscopic debridement is a surgical procedure performed using a small camera (arthroscope) and specialized instruments inserted through small incisions around the knee. The primary goal of this procedure is to remove broken-down cartilage, loose fragments, and other debris from the knee joint, which can help reduce pain and improve mobility.
Mercy Health
Indications for the Procedure
This procedure is commonly indicated for patients suffering from:
Osteoarthritis: To alleviate symptoms and improve function when conservative treatments fail.
Meniscus Tears: To remove torn fragments that may be causing pain or mechanical symptoms in the knee.
Other Knee Injuries: Such as loose bodies or damaged cartilage that interfere with normal knee function.
Source
The Procedure
Preparation: The patient is typically placed under general or regional anesthesia.
Incisions: The surgeon makes small incisions around the knee.
Insertion of Instruments: An arthroscope is inserted to visualize the inside of the knee joint, and other instruments are used to remove debris and damaged tissue.
Completion: After the debridement, the incisions are closed, and the patient is monitored for recovery.
Sources
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Post-Operative Care: Patients usually go home the same day. Initial pain and swelling are common, and crutches may be provided to avoid putting weight on the knee.
Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation typically begins shortly after surgery to strengthen the knee and restore range of motion. Most patients can return to normal activities, including sports, within four to six weeks.
Expected Outcomes: Many patients experience significant pain relief and improved function, although the effectiveness can vary. Studies suggest that 50% to 70% of patients report improvement in symptoms following the procedure.
Sources
Conclusion
Arthroscopic debridement of the knee is a widely performed procedure that can provide relief for individuals suffering from knee pain due to arthritis or injuries. It is essential to discuss the potential benefits and risks with a healthcare provider to determine if this procedure is appropriate for your specific condition.
Re: Castro vs Caicado- the latter has more experience and at 21 still has a ceiling to reach– its not a big loss IMO
any injury updates- Vesalinovic? Gauld? Adekugbe?
Salty