Good Monday morning Caps fans. Hope you all had a lovely weekend and are gearing up for the week ahead.
Well, the vibes are vastly better today after Vancouver followed up their CONCACAF disaster class with an absolute drubbing of Minnesota United. I wrote on Friday that the Caps under Jesper Sorensen have played their best soccer in the wake of adversity, and the Loons were unfortunately on the business end of a powerful response on Sunday.
Things started badly for Minnesota after Jeevan Badwal won a penalty inside of 10 minutes, and it never really got better for the away side. This Loons team is definitely a far cry from what we saw last season, as they try to ditch the brutal counterattacking style and move toward a more possession-based approach. This was still the impressive sort of result we have become accustomed to in recent years.
It was a comprehensive performance from top to bottom. Brian White, Sebastian Berhalter, Emmanuel Sabbi, and Mathias Laborda managed multiple goal involvements, while Cheikh Sabaly opened his Whitecaps’ account. Badwal continues to be excellent and has proven to be an excellent fit at the number 10 position, despite largely playing as an eight last year. But the return of Andres Cubas from suspension was perhaps the most crucial development, as he set the tone for a brutally efficient performance. The kind that was missing on Thursday against Seattle.
Credit to Mihail Gherasimencov on a fine full debut for the Caps, doing a solid job at left back. AZ Jackson remains a stellar find, winning a penalty in the second half and testing the Minnesota backline pretty much constantly until he was subbed out.
I’m not holding my breath that we will see another six-goal performance on Wednesday in Spokane. Still, it was a welcome reminder that this team can put up displays like this and that they will be laser-focused on overturning a deep midweek deficit. Hopefully the Caps haven’t exhausted their goal supply before the Seattle match — something tells me they haven’t.
Shameless Self Promotion
Kian had a fun post-match to write yesterday — check it out for a breakdown of the 6-0 domination.
Best of the Rest
The Caps are now off to a team-best start to the season (thanks to their eye-popping goal differential) and are the first team to win four straight to start two consecutive seasons.
A look at how new stadiums can impact a team’s prospects — something Vancouver doesn’t need to be told twice.
I kind of like Canada’s 2026 World Cup kits. Hey, at least they have something fresh after 2022.
Ali Ahmed continues to impress for Norwich City, bagging a goal over the weekend in a 2-0 win over Preston.
– i too was impressed with Mihail as left defender- composed and didnt overplay his hand when going forward (which can be Tate’s weakness);
– i liked what i saw from Schonlau in his first appearance- intelligent, always scanning the defence, good in the air- when Vesalinovice does come back, we have quite the depth at CB- Blackmon, Priso, Laborda, Halbouni, Schonlau and Vesa, and if it happens with injuries like 2025, they all will be needed
– and Jeevan continues to amaze- BUT he should never be placed on the wing as it diminishes his effect in the game- easily the most improved player this year
– Caps have hit 6 posts this year- add that to our already actual goal count and WOW!!! – and Muller would be the MLS leader of the Golden Boot for all competitions
– Takaoka made a couple of solid saves to protect his shut-out
– OTHER QUICK NOTES- AZ looks like a better Winger Jayden Nelson; have to see more of Sabaly; Elloumi hasnt done anything to impress as yet; if Gauld ever comes back and plays to his previous level, then the Caps will be even a more serious contender for MLS Cup
Salty