VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s league-leading defence from last year looked a shadow of its former self to start the season, with uncharacteristic sloppy play and self-inflicted mistakes costing them as they opened the new campaign with a couple of losses.
But after two solid defensive displays, one that saw them give up just one goal from a free kick in Seattle and the other holding the free-scoring Houston Dynamo scoreless, the signs are there that the ‘Caps are starting to find their footing at the back and turn things around.
“We just got back to basics,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “Defending is about doing the basics very well. If you do your individual jobs and you concentrate, it gives you a chance to win every game. We've done that very well in the last two games.”
You can put it down to early season rust or the rebuilding of some team chemistry after the offseason additions and departures, but with the ‘Caps attack still struggling to score from open play, they need their stingy defence to be firing on all cylinders.
Throughout the tough start, the ‘Caps were in no doubt that their defence would soon rediscover their form. This was not a back line that suddenly got bad overnight.
Instead, it was basic errors and a lack of cohesion that was hurting them.
“Mental mistakes,” is where goalkeeper David Ousted firmly lays a bulk of the blame. “It's fair to put it down to that, as well as getting back into that cohesiveness and have that communication in line for the first game. It's there now. We feel we're more settled and better as a unit.”
One part of that unit is left back Jordan Harvey, who has been one of Vancouver's most consistent players to start the season. Another is Canadian right back Fraser Aird.
The 21-year-old struggled in his MLS debut against Montreal Impact, but has been a part of the back line that has conceded just one goal in the last two matches.
“I'm trying to get better every day,” Aird admitted honestly. “You're going to have ups and downs throughout the season. I don't think I was at my best the first game of the season. Everybody knows that. … the last two games we've played well as a team and I thought I've done a lot better in the Seattle game and the game against Houston. Hopefully, I can continue that and show the form I know that I can and show everyone why the manager has brought me here to play.”
Saturday's clean sheet against Houston was achieved without both starting centre backs, Kendall Waston and Tim Parker, who were away on international duty.
Robinson is now hoping both will be fresh to return for this weekend's tough test against LA Galaxy (7 p.m. PT on TSN2 – limited tickets still available).
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! 2016 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are on sale from $39/month all in. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
