Good Friday morning Caps fans. Hope it’s been a good week and you all have exciting plans for your weekend.
Saturday is our last Whitecaps match until July, as attention shifts to the World Cup, both locally and around the world.
Despite treading water in recent matches, it has to be said that the first chunk of this season has been an unqualified success for the Caps. It hasn’t always come as easy as it did last season, but the team still sits on 29 points, second in points per game league wide.
That is also one point better than where the Caps were at this point last season. And while Vancouver hasn’t had to juggle as many CONCACAF Champions Cup fixtures in the process (and has played more home games), it’s impressive nonetheless. This team hasn’t quite hit its peak, but it has still managed to demolish playoff-quality teams and show that it is a real contender.
Vancouver will likely welcome the break, with several guys on the verge of coming back from injury (Ryan Gauld, Sam Adekugbe, etc.) and some tired legs among the players who are still fit and firing. The break also gives a chance to try and better integrate some of the newer wingers into the team and perhaps fix some of the attacking miscues that have been one of the few weak spots for the Caps this season.
The World Cup break will also bring with it some uncertainty, however. If Sebastian Berhalter goes to the World Cup and shines, the Caps will have few options, beyond hoping he signs a short term extension to allow them to get a transfer fee. If Berhalter does leave, is this team still a legitimate threat to win MLS Cup? That remains to be seen.
And beyond Seb’s uncertain future, this team has little roster flexibility to make moves. That isn’t necessarily a problem (the current squad is good enough to win trophies) but it is something to watch. AZ Jackson’s loan might not be extended, which would free up some space. And it’s possible a buyout of Sebastian Schonlau occurs or another player (J.C. Ngando?) gets moved on. But there will be plenty to track over the summer as everyone else in the league also regroups and tries to get stronger.
The Caps end their spring campaign away to San Diego FC, who are in a very different spot than when these two teams faced off in the Western Conference final last year. San Diego has seemingly pulled out of their nose dive but has not looked the same as they did in their expansion season. That means Vancouver will be fancying their chances of ending the first half of the season on a high note.
Best of the Rest
To add insult to injury after his red card, Yohei Takaoka was fined by the Disciplinary Committee for not leaving the field in a timely manner on Saturday.
Vancouver Rise grabbed their first win of the season this week, besting Halifax 2-1.
MLS is reportedly pushing to be able to let the clock stop when the ball goes out of play. Commercial breaks anyone?
James Merriman has been sacked by Pacific FC after their lackluster start to the season
Ralph Priso is confident he could still crack the World Cup squad — and with injuries piling up along the CanMNT’s backline, who can blame him?
I don’t know how anyone could argue about keeping Merriman. The change should have happened right after last season ended.
Gotta hope for Ralph Priso to somehow get back to the WC Team- he will need the 2 exhibition games before the WC to show his stuff IF Marsch invites him- it will depend on the other injured CBs- Cornelius, Bombito, Jones, Luc D-
as far as Berhalter goes, i dont see him staying and Vancouver can get some trade money if they let him go this summer- Saturday’s game might be his last in a Whitecap jersey- that trade money can be used to get another AMF, but its going to be really difficult to get a dynamic player like Seba- i think Jesper was trying Cabrera, but thats not a viable solution
HOWEVER, if Ryan Gauld comes back near his 2024 playing, then that is a huge addition- and he will have almost 2 months to get himself ready- i still think we need another striker to back-up Brian White
Schonlau’s contract ends this December 31, so he will stay until then- its been a terrible ride for him; also ending are Veselinovic, Priso and Laborda – new contracts or gone??
Salty