Good Friday morning Caps fans. I hope you all are having a good week and are settling in for a well earned rest this weekend. Apologies for the late post — this is more “wine with the Caps” but I hope it finds you well.
The Whitecaps wrapped up Leagues Cup play (thank God) with their trip to Tigres on Tuesday and it actually went … better than expected? While the Caps eventually fell in PKs, they outplayed their hosts for large chunks of the game. Going to El Volcan is a tall task, made taller when you don’t have anything to play for and your opponent does. The Caps held their own, which is about all you can ask for.
Of course, the match will be remembered not for the action on the pitch but the head loss from Nahuel Guzman and Diego Lainez to close out the match. It was the most CONCACAF ending possible and shows why it can often be infuriating to watch matches involving Liga MX teams. But I can’t lie and say it wasn’t entertaining.
The Caps have stayed busy in the transfer market, reportedly finalizing a deal to sign midfielder Emrick Fotsing from Vancouver FC for a reported $300,000 fee. This is objectively good business, as Fotsing is seemingly one of the most promising players in the CPL and a talent for the Canadian U-20 team. He might not be MLS ready yet (a loan might be a possibility) but this is exactly the type of signing the Caps should be making in almost every transfer window.
The pipeline of academy players is greatly helped when talented young Canadians are brought in. And given Fotsing’s considerable physical talent and his relatively good offensive output this season, you have to think Jesper Sorensen could turn him into a monster given some time.
Shameless Self Promotion
More on a chaotic midweek in Monterrey.
Best of the Rest
The Caps’ retro kit is a beauty, definitely the best of the bunch of this year’s Archive Collection.
Congrats to Ralph Priso on a well-earned new contract that will keep him in Vancouver until at least 2029.
Canadian Kaylyn Kyle is departing MLS.
Is the CPL primed for post World Cup success?
Team CEO, Axel Schuster, has dramaticall improved the scouting, development and opportunities for young Canadians- and the belief from Jesper Thorensen has really helped- this type of change should reverbate across Canada- all young players can get real opportunites to develop their soccer goals in order to make a difference in MLS and globally
it took a long time to get here, but the results are beginning to show – Liam Mackenzie could be the next young Canadian player to get starting and sub minutes…and take it from there
Salty