Hello friends and welcome back to my brand new Football Manager Story as I begin my challenge of leading Vancouver to the MLS Championship and ultimately (in a few seasons)being appointed Canadian Head coach. First things first though and that’s to get started with Vancouver’s opening game in Major League Soccer!
The excitement throughout the week had reached boiling point as the Whitecaps took the field for their very first MLS game against none other the Toronto FC. This was a game neither side wanted to lose but Toronto would soon be shell shocked as TM Eric Hassli bundled the ball across the line from a corner after just 6 minutes sending the 21,000 fans on hand into a frenzy. Twenty minutes later, a similar set up but this time it was a debut goal for DC Alain Rochat with a powerful header. At the other end some nervy defending but we held firm. Into the second half and a through ball by Brovsky found AML Nanchoff whose powerful shot went under the keeper for the third goal. The rout was complete and it was a brilliant start to our inaugural MLS season.
We had a long flight to Philadelphia which was well worth it as we took the lead after just 10 minutes. A low driven cross by Alain Rochat deflected off a Philadelphia defender for the opening goal. Two minutes later the ball was in the net again but Hassli’s effort was ruled offside. We held onto the lead until right after the interval when Philadelphia equalized but determination to win the ball by Nanchoff and his ensuing cross to AMR Atiba Harris restored the lead. We held on to that quite comfortably for our second win in a row.
Back at BC Place a determined Sporting Kansas City gave us a tough time of it in the first half but we eventually broke the deadlock as Brazilian striker Arthuro eventually found enough space to create an opportunity to give us the lead in the 71st minute. I was just about to substitute him as well. Six minutes later a superb visionary ball out of defence by Jay DeMerit found Atiba Harris all alone and he easily beat the keeper to make it 2-0 and secure the home win.
A trip to Texas saw our 100% record come to an end as we came from behind to force a 2-2 draw at Houston. Shea Salinas scored the equalizing goal with 15 minutes remaining. Returning to British Columbia we hosted the New England Revolution which saw a captivating performance by midfielder Endinho that was highlighted by a spectacular equalizing goal from 25 yards out. The visitors took advantage of a back four shuffle following an injury to Alain Rochat which resulted in us quickly handing the winning goal to New England and our unbeaten start of the season had come to an end.
We stayed at home for the second part of a three game series at BC Place which saw an out an out battle with Chivas USA. Eric Hassli gave us the lead early in the second half with a shot from dead centre of the 18 yard line that was quickly nullified by a Chivas equalizer. The game though was marred by 11 players getting booked with most of the action involving the referee.
A near full house was on hand for the visit of FC Dallas for a game in which we had an astonishing 72% possession, a man advantage for 45 minutes but couldn’t come up with a single goal and only 3 shots on target. Dallas managed just one shot on target and scored leaving myself and the players totally bewildered as to what has happened to out attacking potency?
Canadian Championship
We travelled across the Rockies for the first leg against Edmonton and once more we stalled in the final third of the field unable to cause any trouble to the opposing defence or the goalkeeper for that matter. We left it up to Edmonton to score the only goal of the game 15 minutes from time leaving a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Having gone 5 games in a row without a win I held a team meeting to restore some confidence before our trip to Ohio to take on Columbus who were in second place in the Eastern Conference. It seemed to do the trick as we started off in a positive attitude but it took over 30 minutes before Atiba Harris forced a defensive error to make it 1-0. Arthuro headed in the second from a corner just before the half time whistle and things were looking on the up. Columbus though stormed out of the gate after the interval and had the ball in the back of the net before we knew what happened. Columbus seized the opportunity to take control and some nervy defending almost led to DeMerit heading into his own goal but the clearance out of the box from that incident found Endinho who ran forward with the ball and struck it into the roof of the net as clean as you like. From there we never looked back and came away with a much needed win.
Results Summary:
Standings: Western Conference
For the new guys we have gotten off to a pretty decent start and find ourselves in third place so that’s very pleasing.
Standings: Eastern Conference
Poor Toronto, looks like I picked the right Canadian team!
Super Sevens:
Our flanking players seem to be performing the best so far and in particular Atiba Harris whose profile is featured below.
Fixtures:
We start the second quarter with a must win game against Edmonton to make the final of The Canadian Championship and a tough double header with New England and New York.
That completes this update and thanks for taking the time to read it.
Laxeyman
11 февраля, 2012 at 14:49
Good start Kevin, your form is pretty good, and it looks like you’re in for a successful season. Keep it up mate, and hopefully you can finish in the top 3 :) Good luck!
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 15:30
Hi Laxeyman
I’m quite delighted with the start we’ve made though I’d like to be scoring more goals :)
vaibhavc
11 февраля, 2012 at 14:55
Thats a good start to the season Kevin, you had a good run early on. You seem to have quite a lot of possession of the ball, especially when you had 72% of it against Dallas.
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 15:31
Hi vaivhavc
We seem to be doing really well at possession and passing…just the finishing needs to be improved. I couldn’t believe those Dallas stats either!
nielsneutron
11 февраля, 2012 at 15:37
I think you could have done equally well with Toronto.
Watch out though Colorado can overtake you and depending on the next matches that Real Salt Lake has in advantage you could loose your spot in the top 3 or at least have gap to the top 2.
However you will certainly not finish last which I was under the impression was your ambtiion?
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 18:52
Thanks nielsneutron
Yes we have played some games more than other teams so hopefully that won’t send is too far down the table. I was hoping to avoid last place as this is a new team to the league :)
CsAtlantis
11 февраля, 2012 at 15:57
At least you are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, you started the season off strongly but your team is having a bit of trouble keeping it up, some tough games await so good luck Kevin
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 18:54
Hi CsAtlantis
The euphoria of the three wins at the start has worn off…now the grind begins to stay in contention
Darren Smith
11 февраля, 2012 at 16:05
Well I think that was a good start Kevin, some vital victories and well earned draws too. If you can maintain the better parts of your form we’ll be looking at a play-off for sure…I think you maybe just need someone more clinical upfront but that will come with time.
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 18:58
Hey Darren
My French target man Hassli is not quite as good as his attributes suggest so I’m thinking of pushing one of the younger guys up front for a while whose currently playing in midfield.
Woody
11 февраля, 2012 at 16:09
A good run of results to start the season unlucky in a few of the games
Anyway well done and good luck
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 18:58
Thanks Woody
I’m happy with the start for sure.
TheZiggy
11 февраля, 2012 at 16:22
Given you had little idea how your team, being new to the MLS would stack up against the rest of the teams, I think you can be very happy with this start. Those matches where it seems impossible to create chances are frustrating, but I’m sure it’ll improve, and hopefully you’ll stay into the top 3.
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 19:01
Cheers Ziggy
It’s just a matter of taking each game as it comes with no pre conceptions and figuring out what works best for the team. This is more of an experimental season I feel.
Johnny Karp
11 февраля, 2012 at 19:16
That’s an encouraging start Kevin, you should reach the playoffs if you keep the current form. But I think you might do even better and win the Conference before that ;) Good luck!
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 23:12
Cheers Johnny
Just a good solid season will do mean fine though I appreciate the encouraging words!
Frank
11 февраля, 2012 at 19:44
Hi Kevin,
Thats a decent start to the season. It’s given you a good idea of how your team will do this season. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Also if you have time you could check out my blog, where im managing New York Red Bulls
thefootballmanagergaffer.blogspot.com
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 23:20
Thanks a lot Frank. Just checked out your blog…very nice :)
saltwater
11 февраля, 2012 at 22:51
Impressive start, you were going in blind having no season expectations, but at the moment its looking like a promising play-off battle for the whitecaps
Kevin
11 февраля, 2012 at 23:21
Hi saltwater
Greetings from Canada and thanks for your comment. The play offs would be nice indeed :)
Martin - F.M.J.S
12 февраля, 2012 at 11:54
A nice start there Kevin. You have managed to get some good victories and you are sitting in a good position in the league. :)
Kevin
12 февраля, 2012 at 17:04
Thanks Martin,
Still early days.
Sears
12 февраля, 2012 at 15:06
Good start Kevin, hoping you can continue the good form!
Kevin
12 февраля, 2012 at 17:05
Cheers Sears,
Thanks for following along.
Ana Garcia
13 февраля, 2012 at 21:16
I can enjoy this story now seeing as I know how the MLS works! :)
You have made a very encouraging start, Vancouver were a side that always beat me when I managed the New York Red Bulls (good to see them doing well! LoL!) so to see you in the playoffs already shows a strong start.
Long way to go I know, but things are looking good over the first few months, so the best of luck! :)
Kevin
14 февраля, 2012 at 12:37
Hi Ana
Thanks for the well wishes and I’m happy that you did an MLS story as I can do some research onpotential transfers etc..:)
Being in Canada nearly 20 years now this story feels like being at home.
Jojo
16 июля, 2012 at 06:48
Great story, only problem is that i cannot see the pictures. But great story otherwise!!