Read more about it at my Canadian Soccer News page.
All the details will be up once I'm off work.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Nolly, Knight, and Davies to Make the Jump
Read more about it at my Canadian Soccer News page.
All the details will be up once I'm off work.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Jay DeMerit Signs with Vancouver
Jay DeMerit has officially signed with the Whitecaps, from now on you will be able to find my articles on The Canadian Soccer News. I will continue to post pictures associated to the article and an intro here but the full articles will only be available on the new site.
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| Teitur Thordason and Tom Soehn In Peru. |
Friday, November 5, 2010
Congratulations to the Canadian Women's National Team
The Canadian National Womens Soccer Team has qualified for the World Cup in Germany!
Don't expect a game recap here, just not really my scene.
So I don't normally write about our National Soccer Program on this page but today I feel the need.
It appears that we have truly turned the corner with the Women's program. While the women barely qualified for the last Olympic Games and they didn't really perform to the degree that was expected of them while they were in China. Things really appear to be on the upswing now.
Several of the players in todays fixture featured prominently in the Vancouver Whitecaps Women's team this year. Sophie Schmidt was ferocious on the back line, while Kaylyn Kyle and Desiree Scott worked their tails off in the mid-field tonight. Kara Lang and Chelsea Stewart made appearances as substitutions later in the match as Jonelle Filigno and Deseree Scott simply ran out of juice. Melissa Tancredi got to rest up and watch from the sidelines.
While it is impressive to see the Canadians playing a more possession oriented style there were large gaps in the game where they seemed to knock the ball about and fall back into their bad habits. With that being said, they had the game in their control for all but what seemed like the first 15 minutes of the second half. They will have to run a much tighter ship if they plan on actually beating the American's.
The Americans are much stronger then any of the competition the Canadians have faced thus far while the Canucks have been hammering their opponents into the ground, they have been doing it without a lot of their normal starters on the pitch. This speaks volumes to the depth of the program which was something that has always been a problem over the years, but the reality is as well that while a lot of these new comers have been playing there are several battle tested players itching to get back on the pitch. Kara Lang is still recovering from an injury she received towards the end of the Whitecaps season and is just starting to get worked back into the line up, Brittany Timko was watching from the stands while she is still recovering from an injury also but has been travelling with the team. Melanie Booth is out and so is Emily Zurrer who both had fantastic seasons this year with the Whitecaps. Now the Canadians went the entire tourney without conceding a goal and while we look at that and think "man that's fantastic!" It really is, but, to beat the best in the world we might have to be a little bit better.
I know that a lot of people think that the gap between Canada and the rest of the c.o.n.c.a.c.a.f. nations is closing quickly, I don't feel that this is really the case. I'm of the opinion that the end of Pellerud's tenure was really a low point for the program as a whole. While he did push our progress and achievements to a new level, we constantly saw the team play one style against every team they could beat handily but once the women came up against the Germans, Americans, or Swedes the entire game plan changed, and lets be realistic he had no faith in his players technical abilities. Having seen a lot of these women play from their early teens onward I can say without a doubt that this new coaching philosophy has been the best thing to happen to the women's program since this new crop of players came in, and by new I mean the women that played in Edmonton all those years ago. Physically there are only a handful of teams that can compete with the likes of a Melissa Tancredi, Lang or Sinclair in the air or even on the ground for that matter, and that was how we used to smash team like Jamaica and Panama 6-0. With a coach in place who has the faith in our players to let them play with it on the ground like they did growing up playing rep, and provincially, or even in college, I think we might really have opened the gap up even further.
So it will be interesting to see in the coming months how well our women do, Diana Matheson looks great out there getting balls to her feet so she can create from the middle of the pitch. Rather then her being forced to fight for headers when she is normally the smallest player on the pitch for Canada. Her play, and that of Carmelina Moscato is really what is going to make this team tick over the next several years. I would have to imagine that we will see Moscato return to the line up for the final against theU.S. Look for Melissa Tancredi to return also as her presence upfront is unparalleled by any other player on the squad.
Moscato couldn't crack the line up with Even Pellerud as the coach, she didn't really ever seem to fit the style of play. It's good to see her back in favour with the coaching staff, anyone who remembers her play during the U-19 world cup in Edmonton will tell you she was a force to be reckoned with.
Local hero and team captain Christine Sinclair had a fantastic game. She had a brilliant volley that was saved magnificently in the first half and then managed to tally a goal in the second.
So the final was 4-0 if you were wondering.
Goals went like this:
Josee Belanger scored in the '62 to make it 1-0
Jonelle Filigno scored in the '72 to make it 2-0
Team Captain, and potential World Player of the year Christine Sinclair scored to make it 3-0 in the '75
Rhianne Wilkinson scored in the '93 to make it 4-0
A strong Canadian team came to Mexico and smashed every opponent in the mouth (so far) .
Don't expect a game recap here, just not really my scene.
So I don't normally write about our National Soccer Program on this page but today I feel the need.
It appears that we have truly turned the corner with the Women's program. While the women barely qualified for the last Olympic Games and they didn't really perform to the degree that was expected of them while they were in China. Things really appear to be on the upswing now.
Several of the players in todays fixture featured prominently in the Vancouver Whitecaps Women's team this year. Sophie Schmidt was ferocious on the back line, while Kaylyn Kyle and Desiree Scott worked their tails off in the mid-field tonight. Kara Lang and Chelsea Stewart made appearances as substitutions later in the match as Jonelle Filigno and Deseree Scott simply ran out of juice. Melissa Tancredi got to rest up and watch from the sidelines.
While it is impressive to see the Canadians playing a more possession oriented style there were large gaps in the game where they seemed to knock the ball about and fall back into their bad habits. With that being said, they had the game in their control for all but what seemed like the first 15 minutes of the second half. They will have to run a much tighter ship if they plan on actually beating the American's.
The Americans are much stronger then any of the competition the Canadians have faced thus far while the Canucks have been hammering their opponents into the ground, they have been doing it without a lot of their normal starters on the pitch. This speaks volumes to the depth of the program which was something that has always been a problem over the years, but the reality is as well that while a lot of these new comers have been playing there are several battle tested players itching to get back on the pitch. Kara Lang is still recovering from an injury she received towards the end of the Whitecaps season and is just starting to get worked back into the line up, Brittany Timko was watching from the stands while she is still recovering from an injury also but has been travelling with the team. Melanie Booth is out and so is Emily Zurrer who both had fantastic seasons this year with the Whitecaps. Now the Canadians went the entire tourney without conceding a goal and while we look at that and think "man that's fantastic!" It really is, but, to beat the best in the world we might have to be a little bit better.
I know that a lot of people think that the gap between Canada and the rest of the c.o.n.c.a.c.a.f. nations is closing quickly, I don't feel that this is really the case. I'm of the opinion that the end of Pellerud's tenure was really a low point for the program as a whole. While he did push our progress and achievements to a new level, we constantly saw the team play one style against every team they could beat handily but once the women came up against the Germans, Americans, or Swedes the entire game plan changed, and lets be realistic he had no faith in his players technical abilities. Having seen a lot of these women play from their early teens onward I can say without a doubt that this new coaching philosophy has been the best thing to happen to the women's program since this new crop of players came in, and by new I mean the women that played in Edmonton all those years ago. Physically there are only a handful of teams that can compete with the likes of a Melissa Tancredi, Lang or Sinclair in the air or even on the ground for that matter, and that was how we used to smash team like Jamaica and Panama 6-0. With a coach in place who has the faith in our players to let them play with it on the ground like they did growing up playing rep, and provincially, or even in college, I think we might really have opened the gap up even further.
So it will be interesting to see in the coming months how well our women do, Diana Matheson looks great out there getting balls to her feet so she can create from the middle of the pitch. Rather then her being forced to fight for headers when she is normally the smallest player on the pitch for Canada. Her play, and that of Carmelina Moscato is really what is going to make this team tick over the next several years. I would have to imagine that we will see Moscato return to the line up for the final against the
Moscato couldn't crack the line up with Even Pellerud as the coach, she didn't really ever seem to fit the style of play. It's good to see her back in favour with the coaching staff, anyone who remembers her play during the U-19 world cup in Edmonton will tell you she was a force to be reckoned with.
Local hero and team captain Christine Sinclair had a fantastic game. She had a brilliant volley that was saved magnificently in the first half and then managed to tally a goal in the second.
So the final was 4-0 if you were wondering.
Goals went like this:
Josee Belanger scored in the '62 to make it 1-0
Jonelle Filigno scored in the '72 to make it 2-0
Team Captain, and potential World Player of the year Christine Sinclair scored to make it 3-0 in the '75
Rhianne Wilkinson scored in the '93 to make it 4-0
A strong Canadian team came to Mexico and smashed every opponent in the mouth (so far) .
The Southsiders are not impressed.
So my non-chalant attitude towards the pricing of Whitecaps tickets isn't shared by everyone. Here is the official release from the Southsiders.
To all of Vancouver's football fans and supporters:
The Vancouver Southsiders do not claim to be entitled to any discounts, kickbacks, obligations, special favours or prices. Our money is as good as anyone else's when it comes to supporting the Whitecaps. We are not "owed" anything for supporting the Club up to this point, nor are we claiming to be.
The current uproar within our membership is largely due to the Whitecaps' failure to adequately manage the expectations of its new and existing supporters, and rightly so.
The Whitecaps' entire marketing campaign to date has been centred around the $319 price point as the proverbial "cheap seats".
When you look at EVERY team in MLS (and most football leagues in the UK and Europe, for that matter) the cheapest seats are nosebleeds and the seats behind the goal.
It's an obstructed view for most down there, which makes it affordable, and that is why your most active supporters groups tend to congregate there. To those fans it's not about the view, it's about the experience.
It is therefore not at all surprising that members of the Southsiders (and others in Vancouver who are interested in "supporting" as opposed to "watching") arrived at the conclusion that the cheap seats would be behind the net.
However, when taxes and fees are included, seats behind the net are $200 more than what the vast majority were anticipating as result of the marketing campaign. That's quite a shock to the system, let alone the wallet.
Here's the behind the net pricing for the big teams in MLS to illustrate a point:
Whitecaps.........$560
LA Galaxy.........$400
Seattle Sounders..$400
Portland Timbers..$369
Toronto FC........$361
NY Red Bulls......$272
The pricing for Toronto and Seatlle sparked chaos with their supporters this year... and here we are, set to play in a temporary tin-can venue (Empire Field) with no signings, charging $160 more than Seattle and $200 more than TFC.
The Galaxy have Beckham, and their package includes 3 - 5 major friendlies. Last year they hosted Real Madrid and Boca Juniors. We will be paying more than Galaxy fans just to see FC Edmonton and Montreal.
The Red Bulls are in the most expensive and most lucrative market in North America, with the league's arguably highest profile signing in Thierry Henry. Those fans are paying exactly what I paid to stand at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium last year for division two football.
Which brings me to this:
Last year, I paid $270 for the "privilege" of standing on metal bleachers, pissing in port-a-loos, waiting in line at substandard concessions and arriving 2.5 hrs early to ensure I could get a parking space.
Next year I will be at Empire, probably for the entire season. Once again, I will stand on metal bleachers, piss in a port-a-loo, tough it out in long lines for overpriced concessions and pay $30 for parking... and if I want the "privilege" of standing where I have since 1999, I have to pay $300 more more for my ticket than I did last year.
It is absolutely inconceivable that we should be forced to pay the same exorbitant prices for Empire Field as we will at BC Place. There is absolutely no justification for that, not even if we stocked our team with stars in their prime from the likes of Real Madrid.
Speaking of which...
Vancouverites will pay more for their seats behind the net than fans of Real Madrid do. And here's a kick in the ass - we only get two Canadian Championship matches in our package. They pay less than we do, and they get three matches to the UEFA Champions League!
I'm not so daft as not to know that Canada and Spain's economies are apples and oranges. I do however think there is an important lesson there though.
The Whitecaps have a stated goal of becoming a top-25 club on the global stage. Real Madrid has to rank in the top 3 on that list easily.
I would suggest that the Whitecaps should be looking to learn from the best before attempting to climb the ranks on the wallets of the supporters who kept them afloat through the dark days of the 1990s and 2000s.
Hell, they can even look at the bottom feeding dregs of the MLS for some wisdom.
DC United's supporters group, the Screaming Eagles, are paying less than what Vancouverites will to stand behind the net.
In return, their club provides the supporters group with a financial kickback estimated at around $75 per member. This allows the Screaming Eagles to provide their members fans with a free jersey every year, and free beer at tailgate parties before every match.
On a price-per-match analysis, I will concede that the $560 "Aqua" supporters section isn't too high, especially for the Vancouver's vastly overpriced sports market. It certainly pales in comparison to prices for the Canucks.
Unfortunately, Vancouver's fans don't have the option of paying on a price-per-match basis. It's an all or nothing deal, with half due in November, and half due in February.... that's right before Christmas, and right after. The Whitecaps couldn't have dropped this news at a worse time, although I acknowledge that the renovations at BC Place have played a role in this timing.
A more comprehensive and accessible payment plan would do wonders to quell this uproar. Almost every team in MLS has one, save for a few, and none of those exceptions are in markets as pricey as we are.
I also question this:
- Why do end zone seats for BC Lions games at BC Place cost 40% less than the corner seats... but at a Whitecaps match they will cost 55% more than the same corners?
- Why are the sections priced in a way so that two people with an aisle between them have a pricing differential of nearly $100 to $200?
It's a Mickey Mouse pricing plan, plain and simple. The Vancouver Southsiders should have been the Whitecaps' easiest customers to sell this experience to, and now we have several long-time members questioning whether this is a club worth supporting.
And that's why we're pissed off.
Welcome to "modern football" Vancouver!
Sincerely
John Knox
President
Vancouver Southsiders
To all of Vancouver's football fans and supporters:
The Vancouver Southsiders do not claim to be entitled to any discounts, kickbacks, obligations, special favours or prices. Our money is as good as anyone else's when it comes to supporting the Whitecaps. We are not "owed" anything for supporting the Club up to this point, nor are we claiming to be.
The current uproar within our membership is largely due to the Whitecaps' failure to adequately manage the expectations of its new and existing supporters, and rightly so.
The Whitecaps' entire marketing campaign to date has been centred around the $319 price point as the proverbial "cheap seats".
When you look at EVERY team in MLS (and most football leagues in the UK and Europe, for that matter) the cheapest seats are nosebleeds and the seats behind the goal.
It's an obstructed view for most down there, which makes it affordable, and that is why your most active supporters groups tend to congregate there. To those fans it's not about the view, it's about the experience.
It is therefore not at all surprising that members of the Southsiders (and others in Vancouver who are interested in "supporting" as opposed to "watching") arrived at the conclusion that the cheap seats would be behind the net.
However, when taxes and fees are included, seats behind the net are $200 more than what the vast majority were anticipating as result of the marketing campaign. That's quite a shock to the system, let alone the wallet.
Here's the behind the net pricing for the big teams in MLS to illustrate a point:
Whitecaps.........$560
LA Galaxy.........$400
Seattle Sounders..$400
Portland Timbers..$369
Toronto FC........$361
NY Red Bulls......$272
The pricing for Toronto and Seatlle sparked chaos with their supporters this year... and here we are, set to play in a temporary tin-can venue (Empire Field) with no signings, charging $160 more than Seattle and $200 more than TFC.
The Galaxy have Beckham, and their package includes 3 - 5 major friendlies. Last year they hosted Real Madrid and Boca Juniors. We will be paying more than Galaxy fans just to see FC Edmonton and Montreal.
The Red Bulls are in the most expensive and most lucrative market in North America, with the league's arguably highest profile signing in Thierry Henry. Those fans are paying exactly what I paid to stand at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium last year for division two football.
Which brings me to this:
Last year, I paid $270 for the "privilege" of standing on metal bleachers, pissing in port-a-loos, waiting in line at substandard concessions and arriving 2.5 hrs early to ensure I could get a parking space.
Next year I will be at Empire, probably for the entire season. Once again, I will stand on metal bleachers, piss in a port-a-loo, tough it out in long lines for overpriced concessions and pay $30 for parking... and if I want the "privilege" of standing where I have since 1999, I have to pay $300 more more for my ticket than I did last year.
It is absolutely inconceivable that we should be forced to pay the same exorbitant prices for Empire Field as we will at BC Place. There is absolutely no justification for that, not even if we stocked our team with stars in their prime from the likes of Real Madrid.
Speaking of which...
Vancouverites will pay more for their seats behind the net than fans of Real Madrid do. And here's a kick in the ass - we only get two Canadian Championship matches in our package. They pay less than we do, and they get three matches to the UEFA Champions League!
I'm not so daft as not to know that Canada and Spain's economies are apples and oranges. I do however think there is an important lesson there though.
The Whitecaps have a stated goal of becoming a top-25 club on the global stage. Real Madrid has to rank in the top 3 on that list easily.
I would suggest that the Whitecaps should be looking to learn from the best before attempting to climb the ranks on the wallets of the supporters who kept them afloat through the dark days of the 1990s and 2000s.
Hell, they can even look at the bottom feeding dregs of the MLS for some wisdom.
DC United's supporters group, the Screaming Eagles, are paying less than what Vancouverites will to stand behind the net.
In return, their club provides the supporters group with a financial kickback estimated at around $75 per member. This allows the Screaming Eagles to provide their members fans with a free jersey every year, and free beer at tailgate parties before every match.
On a price-per-match analysis, I will concede that the $560 "Aqua" supporters section isn't too high, especially for the Vancouver's vastly overpriced sports market. It certainly pales in comparison to prices for the Canucks.
Unfortunately, Vancouver's fans don't have the option of paying on a price-per-match basis. It's an all or nothing deal, with half due in November, and half due in February.... that's right before Christmas, and right after. The Whitecaps couldn't have dropped this news at a worse time, although I acknowledge that the renovations at BC Place have played a role in this timing.
A more comprehensive and accessible payment plan would do wonders to quell this uproar. Almost every team in MLS has one, save for a few, and none of those exceptions are in markets as pricey as we are.
I also question this:
- Why do end zone seats for BC Lions games at BC Place cost 40% less than the corner seats... but at a Whitecaps match they will cost 55% more than the same corners?
- Why are the sections priced in a way so that two people with an aisle between them have a pricing differential of nearly $100 to $200?
It's a Mickey Mouse pricing plan, plain and simple. The Vancouver Southsiders should have been the Whitecaps' easiest customers to sell this experience to, and now we have several long-time members questioning whether this is a club worth supporting.
And that's why we're pissed off.
Welcome to "modern football" Vancouver!
Sincerely
John Knox
President
Vancouver Southsiders
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Get Your Tickets!
The Whitecaps have released their ticket purchase information. Apparently the final word has come down from PavCo on the possible seating configurations. When I spoke with Howard Crosley the GM at BC Place, he had mentioned that the Whitecaps had approached him about possible changes to the seating plan due to higher then expected ticket deposits. Initially the Stadium was set to hold approximately 22 000 in the Lower Bowl and upon the club's request, the plans have been looked at to see if that could be expanded to 25 000. Now a lot of fuss is being made about the cost of tickets. Apparently we have the most expensive tickets in the league. This is Vancouver, everything is more expensive then it needs to be, but we deal with it. This whole outcry gets a big giant "meh" as far as I am concerned. With everything else that the club has done in preparation for the upcoming season I doubt that the club would make such move without the demand actually being there for this pricing. Expect an update tomorrow.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Due to scheduling difficulties
we've had to postpone the show. sorry guys.
we tried. these things just don't always work out.
we tried. these things just don't always work out.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Podcast Preview
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| The Behemoth in all her majesty. (Photo Pierce Lang) |
Tomorrow I will be posting the first West Coast Football Report podcast. Myself, and Emilio Ekuba, and possibly a few special guests will be recording a show early in the am and we'll feature an interview I conducted earlier in the week with Howard Crosley, The General Manager at BC Place Stadium. We'll talk a little more in depth about the 2 major announcements that the Whitecaps made this week. Also we'll have a quick talk about local legend Christine Sinclair's 5th nomination in the last 6 years for Fifa Women's World Player of the Year award.
BMO + Vancouver= Love
In a far less surprising move then Wednesday's Martin Nash announcement. BMO signed on as the Whitecaps First Founding Sponsor. They have had a fantastic relationship over the last several years.
Next year, expect kids from the island and the interior next year to be able to be involved in the Kicking with The Caps Program. When I put the question to Paul Barber; what kinds of additions will we see to the Kicking With The 'Caps program? he made references to "a BC wide pro club" and "We're keen to take our various community programs as far out into the province as we can". Logistics are the biggest issue he can see, it's not like the UK where you can set up a program "an hour away from the stadium" and reach a large population. "The logistics have to be very carefully planned, but whats encouraged me is that people way outside Vancouver, Metro Vancouver area are supporting the Whitecaps and therefore we need to reach out to them and help them feel a part of it as much as the people in the city."
Some new additions that Rob Serraglio Senior (Vice President of BMO Bank of Montreal, BC and Yukon Division) mentioned include, BMO ClubRave Nights and Whitecaps FC Training Sessions, and Chalk Talk's from Coaches and Players. My personal favourite thing they do is the V.I.P. Autograph Sessions for the kids at the end of the match.
It's pretty cool if you think about it, and if you've ever seen how much fun the kids have with everything involved with the Kicking with the Caps program you will realize that this partnership really is incredibly valuable to the foundation of the Whitecaps Organization.
BMO customers will still receive preferential treatment with BMO customer specific express lines at concessions and beer stands.
They will also continue the BMO "Power of Blue" Move of the Game.
I will have to poke around a little more for some more specific details as the week goes on.
Next year, expect kids from the island and the interior next year to be able to be involved in the Kicking with The Caps Program. When I put the question to Paul Barber; what kinds of additions will we see to the Kicking With The 'Caps program? he made references to "a BC wide pro club" and "We're keen to take our various community programs as far out into the province as we can". Logistics are the biggest issue he can see, it's not like the UK where you can set up a program "an hour away from the stadium" and reach a large population. "The logistics have to be very carefully planned, but whats encouraged me is that people way outside Vancouver, Metro Vancouver area are supporting the Whitecaps and therefore we need to reach out to them and help them feel a part of it as much as the people in the city."
Some new additions that Rob Serraglio Senior (Vice President of BMO Bank of Montreal, BC and Yukon Division) mentioned include, BMO Club
It's pretty cool if you think about it, and if you've ever seen how much fun the kids have with everything involved with the Kicking with the Caps program you will realize that this partnership really is incredibly valuable to the foundation of the Whitecaps Organization.
BMO customers will still receive preferential treatment with BMO customer specific express lines at concessions and beer stands.
They will also continue the BMO "Power of Blue" Move of the Game.
I will have to poke around a little more for some more specific details as the week goes on.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Martin Nash Has Officially Retired
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| Martin Nash Announces his Retirement from Professional Soccer. Flanked by Club President Bob Lenarduzzi, and Club Manager Teitur Thordason. (Photo-Pierce Lang) |
His first task as a scout is a trip across the boarder to Seattle to check out their first round playoff match against Landon Donovan and the LA Galaxy.
It was a glossy eyed affair that you could tell wasn't easy for the soft spoken Nash to get through.
He said he owed it to his family who have sacrificed so much for him to get this far with his career. It wasn't an easy decision for him to make, "There were a lot of long discussions with a lot of different people" he spoke with his wife, his brother, his kids. He wanted to go out on a "high" and did it on his own terms. The option was there for him to keep playing and be a part of the Whitecaps first MLS season, but he felt it was just time to step away. In the end it was definitely the right decision.
Bob Lenarduzzi got up and reminisced about his first memory of Martin playing with the 86'ers. How they came oh so close to qualifying for the olympics when Bob was the coach. He remembered Martin's first international cap at Swangard. And how he immediately made an impact the minute he stepped on the pitch. He came right out and called him "dominant". We saw flashes of it this season, but as time has crept up on Nash, those flashes started to become shorter, and shorter, and the long season began to take its toll on his body. Bob reconfirmed that Martin was going to be on the squad next year for MLS if he wanted to.
Teitur then stepped up to the scrum and laid it all out there. He gave high praise to a captain who stepped up and took on a leadership role the season after the Icelandic Coach arrived. He might not have necessarily seen those qualities during the first season but they were quite evident the last 2 years. "He is a huge reason why we were able to keep it together this season" Teitur confirmed the speculation that Nash was no longer able to play a full 90 minutes; "with the number of games we are playing, the load when your 35 years of age you know, you see that it gets more difficult to recover between games". While Thordason will miss his passing and leadership qualities he looks forward to working along side him.
Nash leaves behind a large void in the marketing and promotional department. When asked who was going to fill that void, Lenarduzzi said, "Oh, I think we'll do ok in that regard; there will be more to come on that"
Happy Trails.
Today Whitecaps Fans will be waking up to a surprise.
In an unexpected move today Martin Nash will be retiring. Marc Weber reported early this morning that the Vancouver Whitecaps captain will no longer be lacing up his boots competitively.
A lot of the speculation this week has been on this personnel announcement. While most of us were expecting this announcement to be about the supposed hiring of a new Youth Technical Director. Apparently we were all wrong. It happens.
Expect a full report as it all unfolds and watch out for tweets during the press conference.
It all takes place at 10am Pacific.
In an unexpected move today Martin Nash will be retiring. Marc Weber reported early this morning that the Vancouver Whitecaps captain will no longer be lacing up his boots competitively.
A lot of the speculation this week has been on this personnel announcement. While most of us were expecting this announcement to be about the supposed hiring of a new Youth Technical Director. Apparently we were all wrong. It happens.
Expect a full report as it all unfolds and watch out for tweets during the press conference.
It all takes place at 10am Pacific.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Whitecaps set to make 2 Announcements this week.
The Vancouver Whitecaps have scheduled press conferences for Wednesday and Thursday.
Wednesday's address will likely pertain to the addition of Richard Grootscholten to the position of Technical Director of the Residency Program. It's taking place at Swangard, and is with regards to personnel. A player signing probably wouldn't take place at the teams old pitch. So expect it to have to do with a non player.
Thursday's announcement is taking place at the BMO Vancouver Main Office. It is almost certainly to do with a renewed partnership agreement between The Bank of Montreal and The Vancouver Whitecaps. Speculation is centred around whether the announcement has to do with a deal for naming rights to BC Place, (I'm curious about if it might also have to do with naming rights for Empire Field)
Bob Lenarduzzi had mentioned that BMO was looking to increase their exposure and expand the brand on the west coast as far back as March so this announcement shouldn't come as a big suprise.
Stay Tuned for details.
Supposedly we've reached 15 000 deposits for seasons tickets!
Wednesday's address will likely pertain to the addition of Richard Grootscholten to the position of Technical Director of the Residency Program. It's taking place at Swangard, and is with regards to personnel. A player signing probably wouldn't take place at the teams old pitch. So expect it to have to do with a non player.
Thursday's announcement is taking place at the BMO Vancouver Main Office. It is almost certainly to do with a renewed partnership agreement between The Bank of Montreal and The Vancouver Whitecaps. Speculation is centred around whether the announcement has to do with a deal for naming rights to BC Place, (I'm curious about if it might also have to do with naming rights for Empire Field)
Bob Lenarduzzi had mentioned that BMO was looking to increase their exposure and expand the brand on the west coast as far back as March so this announcement shouldn't come as a big suprise.
Stay Tuned for details.
Supposedly we've reached 15 000 deposits for seasons tickets!
Friday, October 22, 2010
"Later, Wankers!!!"
Ok none of these guys are wankers, at least not to my knowledge. So while Manchester United star Wayne Rooney is being shopped around like oh so many a United hero before him. As we think about that, lets take a look at some of the guys who suited up for the Whitecaps this season. Only to be released by the club. The harsh reality is for most of these guys was that they didn't live up to their expectations. Most couldn't stay in the starting lineup, some couldn't even crack the line up. Others were just victims of circumstance. The latter will certainly get another chance to move up just not with the Whitecaps.
1. Marlon James- Wasn't scoring. Was injured constantly. Was no longer on game roster as of July 25th. Scored 1 Goal in 2010. Scored 9 goals in 2009. Started first game of the season.
2. Dever Orgil- Was released on July 8th. Had discipline issues. Has since gone on to play in his native Jamaica. Scored 1 goal in 5 games for St. George's FC. Everyone had high hopes for the speedy Orgil but he just never clicked. Started first game of the season.
3. Ansu Toure- Released on August 11th. Scored one beauty goal on a cheeky back heel. Didn't really do much else. Started first game of the season.
4. Nelson Akwari- Was Playing 90 minutes a game until he was injured on August 18th. Released this week. He'll certainly find work on a NASL squad or even overseas. Probably the best move for him. Might not be ready to move to MLS. Was a starter all season until he was injured.
5. Zurab Tsiskaridze- Starter at the beginning of the season. As Takashi Hirano worked his way back to form he started to see minutes diminish ever so slightly. Had a solid season but lost more minutes to Willis Forko as he joined the club. Was released this week, leaving the club is probably the best move for his career. He should be a starter on any other club in the NASL.
6. Chris Williams- Started the first several games, but by May he couldn't seem to get onto the pitch. By August he started to get a few more minutes, but by the end of August the audition appeared to be over. He couldn't even get his name onto the roster sheet.
7. Richardo Sanchez- Was a big disappointment. A USL all-star the year previous. Couldn't supplant Martin Nash for minutes on the pitch. Was taking up an international spot on the roster and not getting on the pitch. It worked out to be the perfect formula for a trade. Was left at home for the road trip to Portland in April. Sent to Tampa for future considerations.
8. Marcus Haber- Was only here on loan June 16th was his last match before he left for England. Didn't score enough to live up to the expectations placed on him after his USL Rookie of the Year performance. Received a lot of flack for not being an arial presence and using his 6'3 frame.
9. Jonny Steele- Another massive disappointment. Rumours had it that he wasn't a good fit in the dressing room. He couldn't crack the line up. Left the team abruptly in May returning home to Philadelphia to deal with "Personal Issues" I'm not going to speculate as I have never heard anything as to what the issues were. Was USL 1 MVP in 2008. Was traded on July 21st 2010. Was ineffective in his limited performances. Didn't fit the system, and Teitur even appeared to change to formation on occasion to try to cater to Steele's abilities.
10. Alex Elliot- Is probably wishing he'd stayed in Germany at this point. Mainz have been having a great season. He couldn't get on the pitch. Released this week.
11. Justin Moose- A former MLS Superdraft first round pick after leaving Wake Forest, He couldn't crack the starting line up. Released on July 22nd. He wasn't a bad player, had lots of heart.
12. Takashi Hirano- Taka struggled with his fitness. Battled with a couple guys for minutes in May, June and July but couldn't seem to keep the kids out of the lineup. Realistically he's old. His future with the club was probably limited by his age. Hell the guy played in a world cup 12 years ago. Against a lot of guys who are now managing clubs. I hope he ends up following that path.
13. Jonothan McDonald- I don't think anyone was really sure what to expect from this guy. When I saw his highlight video i was instantly reminded of Chad Barrett* in Toronto.
14. Dan Pelc: Former Serbian White Eagles keeper. Wasn't playing, and is better off starting somewhere rather then rotting on the bench.
Lastly there were a couple Goalies that got a look in June while the team was on the Road.
Subrata Paul or Pal-Indian National. Most famous for having been suspended for 2 months by The Indian National League. The Suspension was for allowing the goal that caused Brazilian Striker Christiano Junior so much excitement he died of a heart attack. Only in India.
Danny Milosevic- A former Leeds United keeper who did better then Paul but not enough to make the club.
*This video is also dedicated to Duane Rollins at The 24th Minute who wanted someone to make him a compilation video of Chad Barrett. Nobody seems to have taken the time to do it in T.O. but Fire fans were on it a long time ago.
1. Marlon James- Wasn't scoring. Was injured constantly. Was no longer on game roster as of July 25th. Scored 1 Goal in 2010. Scored 9 goals in 2009. Started first game of the season.
2. Dever Orgil- Was released on July 8th. Had discipline issues. Has since gone on to play in his native Jamaica. Scored 1 goal in 5 games for St. George's FC. Everyone had high hopes for the speedy Orgil but he just never clicked. Started first game of the season.
3. Ansu Toure- Released on August 11th. Scored one beauty goal on a cheeky back heel. Didn't really do much else. Started first game of the season.
4. Nelson Akwari- Was Playing 90 minutes a game until he was injured on August 18th. Released this week. He'll certainly find work on a NASL squad or even overseas. Probably the best move for him. Might not be ready to move to MLS. Was a starter all season until he was injured.
5. Zurab Tsiskaridze- Starter at the beginning of the season. As Takashi Hirano worked his way back to form he started to see minutes diminish ever so slightly. Had a solid season but lost more minutes to Willis Forko as he joined the club. Was released this week, leaving the club is probably the best move for his career. He should be a starter on any other club in the NASL.
6. Chris Williams- Started the first several games, but by May he couldn't seem to get onto the pitch. By August he started to get a few more minutes, but by the end of August the audition appeared to be over. He couldn't even get his name onto the roster sheet.
7. Richardo Sanchez- Was a big disappointment. A USL all-star the year previous. Couldn't supplant Martin Nash for minutes on the pitch. Was taking up an international spot on the roster and not getting on the pitch. It worked out to be the perfect formula for a trade. Was left at home for the road trip to Portland in April. Sent to Tampa for future considerations.
8. Marcus Haber- Was only here on loan June 16th was his last match before he left for England. Didn't score enough to live up to the expectations placed on him after his USL Rookie of the Year performance. Received a lot of flack for not being an arial presence and using his 6'3 frame.
9. Jonny Steele- Another massive disappointment. Rumours had it that he wasn't a good fit in the dressing room. He couldn't crack the line up. Left the team abruptly in May returning home to Philadelphia to deal with "Personal Issues" I'm not going to speculate as I have never heard anything as to what the issues were. Was USL 1 MVP in 2008. Was traded on July 21st 2010. Was ineffective in his limited performances. Didn't fit the system, and Teitur even appeared to change to formation on occasion to try to cater to Steele's abilities.
10. Alex Elliot- Is probably wishing he'd stayed in Germany at this point. Mainz have been having a great season. He couldn't get on the pitch. Released this week.
11. Justin Moose- A former MLS Superdraft first round pick after leaving Wake Forest, He couldn't crack the starting line up. Released on July 22nd. He wasn't a bad player, had lots of heart.
12. Takashi Hirano- Taka struggled with his fitness. Battled with a couple guys for minutes in May, June and July but couldn't seem to keep the kids out of the lineup. Realistically he's old. His future with the club was probably limited by his age. Hell the guy played in a world cup 12 years ago. Against a lot of guys who are now managing clubs. I hope he ends up following that path.
13. Jonothan McDonald- I don't think anyone was really sure what to expect from this guy. When I saw his highlight video i was instantly reminded of Chad Barrett* in Toronto.
14. Dan Pelc: Former Serbian White Eagles keeper. Wasn't playing, and is better off starting somewhere rather then rotting on the bench.
Lastly there were a couple Goalies that got a look in June while the team was on the Road.
Subrata Paul or Pal-Indian National. Most famous for having been suspended for 2 months by The Indian National League. The Suspension was for allowing the goal that caused Brazilian Striker Christiano Junior so much excitement he died of a heart attack. Only in India.
Danny Milosevic- A former Leeds United keeper who did better then Paul but not enough to make the club.
*This video is also dedicated to Duane Rollins at The 24th Minute who wanted someone to make him a compilation video of Chad Barrett. Nobody seems to have taken the time to do it in T.O. but Fire fans were on it a long time ago.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Janicki Wins Defensive Player of The Year! and in less surprising news, Jay Nolly is best keeper.
Yesterday the USSF D2 announced that Vancouver Whitecaps standout defender Greg Janicki has been chosen as the top man at his position. As I stated in my Report Card for the New Baltimore, Michigan Native, he was a warrior. He played a good chunk of the season with a bandaged up head. His bloody gauze a testament to his fearlessness. Positionally, Janicki was always in the right place. Strong and athletic he showed a great ability to wait for the opportune moment to tackle rather then just charging in and getting beat by a speedier forward. A whole lot didn't get passed him so it wasn't a huge surprise that today the league announced that Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Jay Nolly was voted the league's top keeper. That's not to say that Nolly didn't deserve the prize he had a fantastic year. He played in all but 15 minutes or so of the Whitecaps season. Led the league in Minutes Played and thus Games Played but also Goals Against Average. While the league held off on announcing Nolly as the Top Keeper it probably shouldn't have surprised anybody.
Oh and Martin Nash was named to the Top XI. Quite possibly the best dressing room presence in the league. He really was the heart and soul of the team this year. I've joked around enough about how he's old and grumpy but in all reality he was a force to be reckoned with. He kept Ricardo Sanchez off the pitch.
Now here in Vancouver we may not see that as a big deal. Here we need to face facts though.
Sanchez was brought in to be an offensive presence.
2009 Season-7 Goals, 8 assists, 72 Shots on goal.
Still couldn't get into the first team.
Congratulations to all 3.
Oh and Martin Nash was named to the Top XI. Quite possibly the best dressing room presence in the league. He really was the heart and soul of the team this year. I've joked around enough about how he's old and grumpy but in all reality he was a force to be reckoned with. He kept Ricardo Sanchez off the pitch.
Now here in Vancouver we may not see that as a big deal. Here we need to face facts though.
Sanchez was brought in to be an offensive presence.
2009 Season-7 Goals, 8 assists, 72 Shots on goal.
Still couldn't get into the first team.
Congratulations to all 3.
It's Called Whitecaps!
He it is! The debut of It's Called Fooball's bi-weekly show to focus on Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Duane Rollins and Ben Rycroft welcome me to guest host on their show. We review a couple of the players and the season that has just finished. I get bumped for a bit as they interview Terry Dunfield. Then I'm back for a quick discussion about the moves the Whitecaps are making moving forward and a bit of perspective on Portland's first signings.
Duane Rollins and Ben Rycroft welcome me to guest host on their show. We review a couple of the players and the season that has just finished. I get bumped for a bit as they interview Terry Dunfield. Then I'm back for a quick discussion about the moves the Whitecaps are making moving forward and a bit of perspective on Portland's first signings.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Looking Ahead
Well now that the season is over everyone has had a chance to sit back and really take a good look at what has really gone down over the last 8 months, here is my take on the players that made it through the season into the playoffs, and their potential moving forward into the Vancouver Whitecaps move to MLS soccer. Now I'm not Tom Soehn or Teitur Thordason so take my views for what they are worth. For all intents and purposes I will assume that there will in fact be a Reserve Division next season.
Goalkeepers:
Jay Nolly: North American Born. He has MLS experience, and his contract expires on November 30th 2010 so I would imagine that there will be an announcement pretty shortly after that. Nolly was one of the big standouts this year for the 'Caps. He led the league in games played, minutes played and Goals against average. Statistically he was the best keeper in the league. There weren't as many games this year that he actually stole for the Whitecaps the way he did last year but he will surely get a good look next year. I would take him.
A+
Simon Thomas:North American Born Canadian Born. Saw very limited action this season, He got in against Crystal Palace Baltimore for the life of me I don't remember it but supposedly it happened. As the team released Dan Pelc today I could see Thomas playing for the Reserve Team.
N/A
Fullbacks
Greg Janicki: North American Born Like Nolly, Janicki has had a taste of MLS soccer. Had a solid season, start to finish. He was a worrior. Big, physical, strong in the air, always in the right place at the right time. He was Vancouver's most consistent player on the back line. He has earned himself a good long look from the staff with the way he handled Bright Dike in the first round of the playoffs.
B+
Maloud Akloul: The Flying Frenchman, scored a goal in his debut and broke his leg on the play. After that he was out for the remainder of the season. He got into the season regular finale against Portland and looked to be a step behind. He has a very impressive C.V. but we haven't really had a chance to see what he's all about. Mind you he has shown a great ability to hammer in scissor kicks at halftime. He's a brick house though. Strong and athletic, but I can't say much more then I already have cause we haven't had a chance to see him. It seems like he was brought on to the team with the expectation that he would be making the jump to MLS.
N/A
Alain Rochat:North American Born Canadian Born. On load to FC Zurich in the Swiss Axpo Super League. Part of the Swiss International Player Pool. Has Champions's League experience against the likes of Real Madrid and AC Milan. If you went by the highlight videos alone he looks really impressive. Unfortunately you don't see his foul on Alex Pato that led to a Ronaldinho spot kick and a Red Card. The spot kick was converted and that was the end of FC Zurich's Champions League Run. He was injured most of September '10 and in his return match Zurich went on to lose 4-1 to FC Basel. He was signed for next year but it's important that we know what we're really getting. He does appear to be the real deal though. World class pace, great control of the ball with either foot. So we're going to have to wait and see.
N/A (I've never really watched him play in a match)
Luca Bellisomo:North American Born Canadian Born. Played in every game this year. Led the league in fouls. He played every game because he is the real deal. He moved back to central defence when the Whitecaps suffered a couple mid season injuries. Through and through the best player on the club to have come through the Residency Program. If he can't crack the first team next year, I would imagine that he would be kept for the Reserve Squad. He's the sort of player that could see a lot of time during Nutralite Cup matches. Although for him personally a move to another 2nd tier team may be the best move for his personal development.
B+
Wes Knight: North American Born. A fan favourite, his long throws make him a great asset. Oh and his incredible pace might help too. Played every game as though it was going to be his last. Had he not he might not have been getting the look that he surely will. He's suffered a couple injuries over the last couple years, knee problems. As the season progressed he seemed to play with a little less fear of tearing his knee again. Unfortunately he was unable to play in the second leg against Portland, and the first leg of the semi final in Puerto Rico due to a freak accident where he slipped on the pitch at Swangard and injured his shoulder. Wes has an incredible upside and is very useful as either a winger or an attacking defender.
B+
Willis Forko: Once more a player drafted by Real Salt Lake, He scored 8 goals in 38 appearances with the Utah outfit but for whatever reason couldn't stick. He's a Liberian International. Liberia are ranked 164th in the World placing them behind Asian Powerhouse Nepal. His only real memorable moment while he was here was a near Own Goal off a header that Jay Nolly pushed over the bar. He's a left footed player so he has some value.
C
Ethan Gage:North American Born Canadian Born. A Residency Product. While many of the reports I've heard have claimed that he doesn't normally play on the back four and is normally a mid fielder. Every PDL game I saw this year he started at Right Back. The Whitecaps PDL team was poor defensively. That's being kind. He played a pivotal role in the 2008 Championship run for the Whitecaps. He also had a very strong showing this year filling in for Wes Knight during the Second Leg versus Portland and in both matches against Puerto Rico. Although David Foley exposed his lack of pace in the 2nd Leg of the Semifinal. Sign him to the Reserve Squad and hope that he continues to improve, he has a lot of the tools to be a pro someday, but needs to put in a lot of work.
D+
Takashi Hirano: Old War Horse. Former Japanese International. Has a great mind for the game. Injured to start the season worked incredibly hard to make it back into the squad. When mid season injuries hit the team Taka stepped in and filled the gaps. He's ancient though. Having played under both T.T. and Arsne Wenger, I could see him moving into a coaching or player development role with the team next year. He was dropped from the squad more or less towards the end of the season to allow some of the new international signings to suit up for the Blue and White. I don't think it is likely he will be back next year and unfortunately I have to put this season as a fail.
F
Midfielders
Nizar Khalfan: Tanzanian International, Left before the playoffs to fulfill National Duties, has great speed, and scored 2 opportunistic goals this season. He should get a look, as he was able to make it through with the squad all the way to the playoffs. He was signed to A PDL contract so the Whitecaps will retain his rights as they train over the next several months.
B
Blake Wagner: North American Born. Has MLS experience. Wagner had a great season. Chipped in with a couple goals including a hat trick. He was strong on the ball and played well defensively. Not a lot to say about Blake. He's got to get a look.
B
Phillipe Davies:North American Born Canadian Born. Another Residency Product. Fantastic on set pieces. He had a strong season on the Right Wing when he was called upon. He probably won't make the jump to MLS, I would be astonished if he did. I could definitely see him playing on the Reserve Squad. Really he would be better off moving on to another club where he would get more minutes in a starting role.
C+
Martin Nash:North American Born Canadian Born. Came into camp this year in the best shape of his career supposedly. 15 lbs lighter then last year. Lets face facts though. He's old. He threw out his back helping his neighbour move in the middle of the season. While that does go towards the character of the man it doesn't bode well for the longevity of his continued tenure with the club. He'll be on the team next year. He's the teams leader both on and off the pitch. He still has flashes of brilliance now and then but has a hard time finishing games. That being said, his early departure from the last couple games may have more to do with T.T. needing to get a look at some of his newer players in serious game action. In all fairness his legs have a lot of miles on them. I would imagine that he will be transitioned into a coaching role in the first 3 seasons.
B+
Kyle Porter-North American Born Canadian Born. Canadian U20 Player returned from a loan to Energie Cottbus in the German Bundesliga 2. Didn't crack the line up until October 2nd against Portland. Set up Cody Arnoux for a sprawling header. Played the ball in beautifully. Started against Puerto Rico in the semi finals. Didn't look out of place but didn't really create any serious chances either.
Another player with Residency Potential.
C+(I feel bad giving him such a low grade because we didn't really get to see a lot of him but I think this is fair.)
Terry Dunfield:North American Born Canadian Born. Local Kid, Brought up through the Manchester City Youth Program. Has to make the squad for next year. Does absolutely everything right. Doesn't turn the ball over, makes smart passes. Oh and he is a fantastic defensive player too. Without a doubt the most impressive and consistent player brought in during the transfer window. If he's not on the team next year it's cause they have signed a dp at that spot.
A+
Alex Morfaw: Saw very limited action. Didn't really do anything of note. Apparently he made enough of an impact to not get cut on Tuesday.
N/A
Davide (Dede) Chiumiento: Truly a conundrum. Incredible skill on the ball (as seen in his highlight package), but may be too small for the physical style of the North American game. He is invisible defensively, and I felt as though he didn't seem to interested in getting involved in the play if other players were near. T.T. kept him out of the lineup against Portland for precisely these reasons. I wasn't impressed at all. Maybe he was apprehensive about getting his hands dirty because he knew he's made the team and is just trying to stay healthy for next year. Only he knows. The only reason he's not going to get an F is because I know he has potential. You're totally allowed to do that too, I know my teachers did when I was a kid.
D
Gershon Koffie: Scored in the first minute of the Quarterfinal First Leg vs. Portland. He featured heavily during the 'Caps playoff surge. Was impressive when called upon. Stronger then you would expect when he is on the ball. He is listed at 155 lbs on the Whitecaps website. I think that is generous. He was absolutely steamrolled at one point during the second leg of the Quarterfinal vs Portland. Then again he was run over by Bright Dike. He's going to have to do some strength and conditioning in the off season but he will be a great addition to the system he should at least get a look on the Reserve Squad until he puts some meat on his bones.
B-
Forwards/ Strikers
Cornelius Stewart: Already signed to a PDL contract so he will be protected during the off season. He left the club at the end of the regular season to play in some international games for St. Vincent. He has speed to burn. That being said the kid is all Swedish and no Finish. He did however manage to assist on 5 of Vancouver's goals. Good enough to put him in a tie for 5th in the league, and 2nd on the team behind league leader Martin Nash. He's a pretty lean guy and that might hold him back but he'll atleast get a crack on the Reserve Squad. I doubt he'll start too many games with the club next year.
C
Ridge Mobulu- This kid came out like gangbusters his first month with the squad and had great chemistry with Cornelius Stewart. He disappeared as the season progressed but he's quite young and very raw. He could use a lot of first team experience. He will never get it with the Whitecaps first team. Reserve Squad potentially but I would let him go.
C-
Randy Edwini Bonsu- If you look at minutes played to goals scored, R.E.B. has the best ratio. He had a tough season dealing with his health and fitness. He had very high expectations placed on him at the beginning of the season. He might be in over is head at this point. He's a solid player but really needs to play more to develop. Everyone thinks the world of him, he's a great kid. It just doesn't look like he'll be back with the squad next year. Atleast not on the first team. He could always play for the reserves. I think the best move for Randy would be to return to his hometown of Edmonton and get some first team minutes with their new outfit.
F (not entirely his fault, but it is what it is.)
Cody Arnoux- North American Born. What can I say about Cody Arnoux? even though he has a contract with the Whitecaps, MLS may still force him to go through the draft process. That being said, at least T.T. will have had a good long look at him. Eventually he showed lots of promise. Despite only managing 1 goal in 10 games he did look to be the one striker on the club who could handle the physicality of the MLS.
B-
Watch for a full on End of Season Review Thursday! And listen for my guest spot on the It's Called Football Podcast Tonight!
Goalkeepers:
Jay Nolly: North American Born. He has MLS experience, and his contract expires on November 30th 2010 so I would imagine that there will be an announcement pretty shortly after that. Nolly was one of the big standouts this year for the 'Caps. He led the league in games played, minutes played and Goals against average. Statistically he was the best keeper in the league. There weren't as many games this year that he actually stole for the Whitecaps the way he did last year but he will surely get a good look next year. I would take him.
A+
Simon Thomas:
N/A
Fullbacks
Greg Janicki: North American Born Like Nolly, Janicki has had a taste of MLS soccer. Had a solid season, start to finish. He was a worrior. Big, physical, strong in the air, always in the right place at the right time. He was Vancouver's most consistent player on the back line. He has earned himself a good long look from the staff with the way he handled Bright Dike in the first round of the playoffs.
B+
Maloud Akloul: The Flying Frenchman, scored a goal in his debut and broke his leg on the play. After that he was out for the remainder of the season. He got into the season regular finale against Portland and looked to be a step behind. He has a very impressive C.V. but we haven't really had a chance to see what he's all about. Mind you he has shown a great ability to hammer in scissor kicks at halftime. He's a brick house though. Strong and athletic, but I can't say much more then I already have cause we haven't had a chance to see him. It seems like he was brought on to the team with the expectation that he would be making the jump to MLS.
N/A
Alain Rochat:
N/A (I've never really watched him play in a match)
Luca Bellisomo:
B+
Wes Knight: North American Born. A fan favourite, his long throws make him a great asset. Oh and his incredible pace might help too. Played every game as though it was going to be his last. Had he not he might not have been getting the look that he surely will. He's suffered a couple injuries over the last couple years, knee problems. As the season progressed he seemed to play with a little less fear of tearing his knee again. Unfortunately he was unable to play in the second leg against Portland, and the first leg of the semi final in Puerto Rico due to a freak accident where he slipped on the pitch at Swangard and injured his shoulder. Wes has an incredible upside and is very useful as either a winger or an attacking defender.
B+
Willis Forko: Once more a player drafted by Real Salt Lake, He scored 8 goals in 38 appearances with the Utah outfit but for whatever reason couldn't stick. He's a Liberian International. Liberia are ranked 164th in the World placing them behind Asian Powerhouse Nepal. His only real memorable moment while he was here was a near Own Goal off a header that Jay Nolly pushed over the bar. He's a left footed player so he has some value.
C
Ethan Gage:
D+
Takashi Hirano: Old War Horse. Former Japanese International. Has a great mind for the game. Injured to start the season worked incredibly hard to make it back into the squad. When mid season injuries hit the team Taka stepped in and filled the gaps. He's ancient though. Having played under both T.T. and Arsne Wenger, I could see him moving into a coaching or player development role with the team next year. He was dropped from the squad more or less towards the end of the season to allow some of the new international signings to suit up for the Blue and White. I don't think it is likely he will be back next year and unfortunately I have to put this season as a fail.
F
Midfielders
Nizar Khalfan: Tanzanian International, Left before the playoffs to fulfill National Duties, has great speed, and scored 2 opportunistic goals this season. He should get a look, as he was able to make it through with the squad all the way to the playoffs. He was signed to A PDL contract so the Whitecaps will retain his rights as they train over the next several months.
B
Blake Wagner: North American Born. Has MLS experience. Wagner had a great season. Chipped in with a couple goals including a hat trick. He was strong on the ball and played well defensively. Not a lot to say about Blake. He's got to get a look.
B
Phillipe Davies:
C+
Martin Nash:
B+
Kyle Porter-
Another player with Residency Potential.
C+(I feel bad giving him such a low grade because we didn't really get to see a lot of him but I think this is fair.)
Terry Dunfield:
A+
Alex Morfaw: Saw very limited action. Didn't really do anything of note. Apparently he made enough of an impact to not get cut on Tuesday.
N/A
Davide (Dede) Chiumiento: Truly a conundrum. Incredible skill on the ball (as seen in his highlight package), but may be too small for the physical style of the North American game. He is invisible defensively, and I felt as though he didn't seem to interested in getting involved in the play if other players were near. T.T. kept him out of the lineup against Portland for precisely these reasons. I wasn't impressed at all. Maybe he was apprehensive about getting his hands dirty because he knew he's made the team and is just trying to stay healthy for next year. Only he knows. The only reason he's not going to get an F is because I know he has potential. You're totally allowed to do that too, I know my teachers did when I was a kid.
D
Gershon Koffie: Scored in the first minute of the Quarterfinal First Leg vs. Portland. He featured heavily during the 'Caps playoff surge. Was impressive when called upon. Stronger then you would expect when he is on the ball. He is listed at 155 lbs on the Whitecaps website. I think that is generous. He was absolutely steamrolled at one point during the second leg of the Quarterfinal vs Portland. Then again he was run over by Bright Dike. He's going to have to do some strength and conditioning in the off season but he will be a great addition to the system he should at least get a look on the Reserve Squad until he puts some meat on his bones.
B-
Forwards/ Strikers
Cornelius Stewart: Already signed to a PDL contract so he will be protected during the off season. He left the club at the end of the regular season to play in some international games for St. Vincent. He has speed to burn. That being said the kid is all Swedish and no Finish. He did however manage to assist on 5 of Vancouver's goals. Good enough to put him in a tie for 5th in the league, and 2nd on the team behind league leader Martin Nash. He's a pretty lean guy and that might hold him back but he'll atleast get a crack on the Reserve Squad. I doubt he'll start too many games with the club next year.
C
Ridge Mobulu- This kid came out like gangbusters his first month with the squad and had great chemistry with Cornelius Stewart. He disappeared as the season progressed but he's quite young and very raw. He could use a lot of first team experience. He will never get it with the Whitecaps first team. Reserve Squad potentially but I would let him go.
C-
Randy Edwini Bonsu- If you look at minutes played to goals scored, R.E.B. has the best ratio. He had a tough season dealing with his health and fitness. He had very high expectations placed on him at the beginning of the season. He might be in over is head at this point. He's a solid player but really needs to play more to develop. Everyone thinks the world of him, he's a great kid. It just doesn't look like he'll be back with the squad next year. Atleast not on the first team. He could always play for the reserves. I think the best move for Randy would be to return to his hometown of Edmonton and get some first team minutes with their new outfit.
F (not entirely his fault, but it is what it is.)
Cody Arnoux- North American Born. What can I say about Cody Arnoux? even though he has a contract with the Whitecaps, MLS may still force him to go through the draft process. That being said, at least T.T. will have had a good long look at him. Eventually he showed lots of promise. Despite only managing 1 goal in 10 games he did look to be the one striker on the club who could handle the physicality of the MLS.
B-
Watch for a full on End of Season Review Thursday! And listen for my guest spot on the It's Called Football Podcast Tonight!
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