24.3 years. That’s how old the ‘Caps are on average, making them the youngest team in MLS. That would also make them the youngest team in the German Bundesliga, English Premier League, and Italian Serie A, as well as the second youngest team in the Spanish La Liga and French Ligue 1.
But don’t mistake youth for inexperience. Aside from the 2015 Voyageurs Cup, the ‘Caps have won a great amount of titles individually, and some of them are just getting started.
Let’s take a closer look at the achievements some of our players have already accomplished.
The veterans
Come Sunday, the ‘Caps will rely on the experience of players like Robert Earnshaw, Pa-Modou Kah, Pedro Morales, and Mauro Rosales. All four are accomplished players who have won trophies and league titles.
Earnshaw has played in a number of big matches during his career. He won the Football League Two playoff in 2003 with Cardiff City to earn promotion, and the Israeli Premier League title in 2013 with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Morales’ team accomplishments include three Croatian league titles, two Croatian Cups and one Croatian Super Cup, as well as a Chilean Primera Division title and Copa Chile championship in his native country.
Kah has played professionally in six leagues and seven different countries, including Norway, Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, USA, and Canada. In 2002, he won the Norwegian Football Cup with Vålerenga.
While representing Argentina, Rosales won both the 2001 FIFA U-20 World Cup title, and the Gold Medal at the 2004 Olympic Summer Games. At the club level, Rosales won the Dutch Cup and Johan Cruijff Shield twice with Ajax in Amsterdam, a league title with River Plate in Argentina, and a U.S. Open Cup with Seattle Sounders FC.
“Everyone is really motivated after this great season,” said Rosales after training last week. “Now comes the time for the last push to go through these semifinals and reach the first MLS final for the team. Our objective from the start was to win the MLS Cup.”
Southern Hemisphere
Deybi Flores, 19, is the youngest player to join Whitecaps FC from abroad this season, with a national title already in his baggage. With his club in Honduras, Club Deportivo Motagua, he won the league championship during the 2014/2015 Apertura Season (picture above). Flores also contributed to the qualification of the Honduran men’s national team to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Similarly, Kendall Waston won multiple titles with Deportivo Saprissa in Costa Rica (Costa Rican Cup 2013, Verano 2014). When talking about playing in pressure situations, it is impossible to forget his extraordinary header goal that sent the ‘Caps to the playoffs last year. Waston comes up big in important moments, which is one reason why he has been nominated for 2015 MLS Defender of the Year.
Staying in the spine of the team, Matias Laba also brings championship experience. In his first season playing at the top professional level in his home country, his Argentinos Juniors team won the 2010 Clausura title. Internationally, the Argentine played every match for his country at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, reaching the quarterfinals.
“We are a great mix,” said Laba of this ‘Caps team. “Some players bring experience and some players bring energy, which is what has brought us so far this season.”
Collegiate success
Jordan Harvey, now 31, brought a winning mentality to the field as soon as he started his pro career. In his university playing days, the Californian helped lead UCLA to the 2002 NCAA College Cup title.
He’s not the only one with a national championship at the college level. Striker Darren Mattocks was the top scorer at the University of Akron as they won the NCAA College Cup in 2010 (pictured at top). His coach at Akron? That would be current Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter. And two of his teammates on that Akron Zips team? Portland's Darlington Nagbe and Michael Nanchoff. In addition to his collegiate success, Mattocks was also the leading scorer for Jamaica as they won the Caribbean Cup last year, and made a run to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final earlier this year.
Another young player with a winning mentality is 22-year-old Tim Parker. The rookie had a standout collegiate career at St. John’s University. During his time there, he led his team to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2011 Big East Tournament title.
Success in MLS
While the ‘Caps do not have a previous MLS Cup winner on the team, they do have players who have been on strong MLS sides. Kah and Rosales have both been on playoff runs with Portland and Seattle respectively, and right back Steven Beitashour with San Jose Earthquakes.
In fact, Beitashour was on the Quakes side that won the 2012 Supporters Shield as the best regular season team. The playoffs bring a new challenge though, and he will be telling his younger teammates what to expect at home on Sunday.
“The playoffs are a special time for everyone,” noted Beitashour. “It’s one of those where you do or die.”
It’s time for these diverse players to unite and bring their experiences together.
In the words of head coach Carl Robinson: “It’s not about any individual, it’s about the team. It’s about the club.”
Our All. Our Honour.
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