Author: calebmwilkins

Aspiring football man but realistic about how likely those aspirations are to be realized. @wilkins_caleb24 on Twitter.
Eighty Six Forever, Post Match, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Post Match: The Mandate of Heaven

There are lots of possible explanations for why the Whitecaps have struggled to turn good play into results this season. There’s the purely mathematical explanation that sometimes unlikely things happen, even several times in a row. There are more material explanations. They’re too short, they aren’t good enough at finishing, etc. There are even spiritual ones: The players don’t have the right mentality to hold … Continue reading Post Match: The Mandate of Heaven

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Eighty Six Forever, Report Card, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Report Card: Can’t Win ‘Em All

For the second straight match, the Vancouver Whitecaps fell to Western Conference rivals on the road, this time, losing 2-1 at Salt Lake. Let’s have a look at the player grades. Yohei Takaoka: 4.0 That first goal was less than ideal to give up. I saw some blame for the second goal attributed to him as well but it was right on the doorstep so I’m … Continue reading Report Card: Can’t Win ‘Em All

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Deep Dive, Eighty Six Forever, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

A Throwback Signing: Junior Hoilett

I tweeted that if the Whitecaps signed Junior Hoilett after selling Sergio Cordova I would “do January 6th on the Whitecaps’ offices.” Now I have no choice but to fly back to Canada, put on the head of the Spike costume, break into the building, and livestream myself smoking a cigar in Axel Schuster’s chair.  Ok, but seriously, why don’t I like this movie? Well, … Continue reading A Throwback Signing: Junior Hoilett

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Eighty Six Forever, Report Card, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Report Card: I’m Not Surprised.

Saturday night in Toronto, the Vancouver Whitecaps got the better of Toronto FC with a 2-1 come from behind win at BMO Field. Is this a shocking result the way TFC has looked this season? Not at all. Is it still a good road win for the Whitecaps? Absolutely. Yohei Takaoka: 7.0 I felt Takaoka had a strong performance. Nothing he could do about the … Continue reading Report Card: I’m Not Surprised.

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Deep Dive, Eighty Six Forever, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Mistakes Were Made: The Sergio Cordova Story

When you sign a player to a DP Contract, giving up your first-round draft pick to acquire his MLS rights in the process, and then sell him at cost in less than a year it’s fair to say a mistake was made at some point. But what were these mistakes? When did they occur? Let’s examine that  Before the Signing: It’s important, when evaluating signings, … Continue reading Mistakes Were Made: The Sergio Cordova Story

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Eighty Six Forever, Post Match, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Post Match: Hey, a Win!

The Vancouver Whitecaps defeated the Portland Timbers to earn their 3rd road win of the season and kick their giant road trip off to a great start. The match was mostly under control for Vancouver until a late push saw Portland make things interesting. Overall I think this was a great road game. For much of the game, Vancouver did the good kind of bunkering. … Continue reading Post Match: Hey, a Win!

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Deep Dive, Eighty Six Forever, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, WFC2

WFC2 Give Me Everything I Want

In addition to some major first-team additions, the Whitecaps also added four players to their reserve side. I feel extremely positively about these signings as they follow essentially exactly the recruitment strategy I have previously advocated for. Allow me to explain.  WFC2’s roster will always be primarily made up of academy graduates and draft picks, that’s what it’s for. But not every generation of academy … Continue reading WFC2 Give Me Everything I Want

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Deep Dive, Eighty Six Forever, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Are we sure this is smart?

The Vancouver Whitecaps are making big moves. They have added Richie Laryea on loan from Nottingham Forrest and Sam Adekugbe on a permanent deal from Hatayspor. The additions of Richie Laryea and Sam Adekugbe are flashy and exciting. But I have some dour and unfun reservations that I can’t quite shake. Let’s explore those.  First, let’s discuss Laryea. Stylistically, he should fit like a glove. … Continue reading Are we sure this is smart?

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Eighty Six Forever, Match Preview, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Match Preview: Whitecaps vs. Tigres UANL

The Vancouver Whitecaps take on Tigres UANL in Leagues Cup action this Friday. It’s a re-match of sorts as the ‘Caps played Tigres all the way back in the 2017 CONCACAF Champions League. At that time the Whitecaps were hopelessly outmatched, despite a relatively close scoreline. But now, the Whitecaps are a lot better and Tigres are a lot older so the contest should be … Continue reading Match Preview: Whitecaps vs. Tigres UANL

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Eighty Six Forever, Match Preview, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Pre-Match: Win and You’re In

The Vancouver Whitecaps are set to face the LA Galaxy in Leagues Cup action. A win of any kind will see Vancouver advance to the next round. The Galaxy are not very good but even not very good teams are more likely to win at home, so I guess we’ll see. LA played midweek against Club Leon, falling 1-0, so the Whitecaps will be hoping … Continue reading Pre-Match: Win and You’re In

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