Nolly, Moose look to show new GM they've evolved as players
By Marc Weber
Making a good first impression on Tommy Soehn is on the agenda for most Vancouver Whitecaps. For goalkeeper Jay Nolly and midfielder Justin Moose, however, it's about proving they've progressed.
The Whitecaps hired Soehn, a longtime Major League Soccer player and coach, as their director of soccer operations two months ago. And while he won't be making personnel decisions in a bubble, his major task is to shape a competitive roster for MLS launch, one year from now.
Nolly and Moose played under Soehn at D.C. United in 2007. Moose spent 2006 there, too. Nolly made one appearance; Moose played just 320 minutes. Both say they are different players today.
"It was three years ago," Nolly said Tuesday as the squad continued preparations for their April 11 season opener.
"I've gotten 80 professional games under my belt since I've been with Tommy. I'm a whole different player now and, over the year, he'll be able to see that.
"Everybody's pretty much just got this year to show what they can do. The past is in the past and I'm sure he doesn't worry about that, and the guys who've played with him don't either."
Recently signed defender Greg Janicki also came from D.C. United, but he spent the last two seasons there, so Soehn has a fresh impression of what he's capable of.
If Soehn had been with the Whitecaps the last two years, he would have seen Nolly, 28, build a strong case as the club's most valuable player. He's blossomed under the guidance of goalkeeper coach Mike Salmon, who previously worked with Arsenal. And Soehn would have seen 26-year-old Moose, when healthy, show creativity and plenty of tenacity on the right wing.
But, more than anyone in the Whitecaps organization, Soehn knows what it takes to win at the MLS level and, when it comes to extending contracts, past USL-1 performance will not be as important as perceived MLS potential.
"You look at where they were and where they are now," Soehn said of his former D.C. United players.
"You look to see if they're still growing as a player."
All parties agree that politics won't play into the decision-making process, but it's worth noting the circumstances under which Nolly and Moose left D.C. United.
Nolly, acquired by D.C. in a trade with Real Salt Lake, was invited to return for 2008 and compete for a spot. Stuck behind former goalkeeper of the year Troy Perkins, though, Nolly left for Vancouver and the promise of playing time.
Moose re-signed with D.C. for 2008, but when more midfielders were brought in, he asked for his release and joined the Whitecaps instead.
"He didn't have to do that," Moose said of Soehn's co-operation. "He was looking out for my best interests."
"I really had to go and get playing time," Nolly said of his choice, "and it's a decision I think worked out, and I think Tommy understands that."
Nolly is 31-21-18 with a goals-against average of 1.16 and 23 shutouts in all competitions for Vancouver. Perhaps most important, he's risen to the occasion in most big matches, especially the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
Moose has started 25 of his 45 appearances for the Whitecaps, scoring twice and assisting on five others. Last season was a write-off with abdominal and foot injuries, and he says that's made him mentally tougher than the player Soehn knew before.
Soehn watched the Whitecaps on their pre-season trip to Phoenix, where they played three MLS teams. He was also at their home friendly against the Seattle Sounders. But most of his time has been spent scouting, including trips to Central America and Europe.
"He's probably looking for a goalie right now," quipped Nolly, who grasps the ruthlessness of this transition year. "All you can do is play your best and hope that it fits into the mould they want. I think we've got a huge group of guys that can play in the league [MLS]. It's just, how do they want to form a core?"
mweber@theprovince.com © Copyright (c) The Province
