SEATTLE, WA – Carl Robinson revealed on Thursday plans to “shake up” Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s preseason training camp ahead of the club’s first-ever CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final appearance.
Earlier this week, the ‘Caps booked their quarter-final berth with a dramatic 2-1 win away at Sporting Kansas City. That means Whitecaps FC will begin their 2017 season earlier than usual, with a pair of important Champions League games between February 21 and March 2, 2017.
To prepare for those games, the ‘Caps will be heading to Europe – something that has actually been in the works for about two months, according to Robinson.
“There are a few areas that I’ve identified where we need to be a lot better,” Robinson told reporters when asked about his preseason plans. “We got off to a slow start. Players weren’t up to speed. I’ll take responsibility for that even though they will have to as well. Next year that will not happen.”
“Obviously we’re playing in the Champions League quarter-finals,” Robinson added. “We’ll have to be on top form earlier … preseason will change a little bit but it was going to change anyway based upon the start we got off to this season.”
Since joining MLS, the ‘Caps have remained in North America for their preseason training camps. They’ve spent some time in Arizona during each of the last six seasons, in addition to trips to Seattle, Orlando, Cary, Charleston, and Portland.
For the most part, they have faced North American competition also just starting off their seasons.
“When you play in preseason and early games, you’re playing against players who are also not fit and you’re able to maybe coast through games based upon you being 60-70 per cent fit and them being 60-70 per cent fit,” said Robinson, who also referenced Vancouver’s season-opening losses to Toronto and Montreal over the last two years.
“What I need, especially now that we’re in the Champions League, I need my players if they’re 60-70 per cent fit to be playing against players who are 100 per cent fit because it’s harder for them and we need to get up to speed a lot quicker.”
They’ve sure looked up to speed as of late.
The ‘Caps are coming off a pair of road wins against Columbus Crew SC and Sporting KC – and they’re hoping to make it three for three this Saturday against Seattle Sounders FC in a match with major playoff implications for both sides.
“Over the last two months, it’s fair to say we’ve been well below our standards,” Robinson said. “I questioned a few of them and asked them to do more and they responded brilliantly … but they’ve got to respond again on Saturday because it’s a massive game for both organizations.”
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