Greetings from Canada and welcome to the latest editon of my first season in charge with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
July 2011
We left off last time with Vancouver sitting in a play-off spot and with some key games ahead of us over the next 2 months. The board had come back with the disappointing news that they were unable to find a parent club so for now that idea has been shelved.
The draw for the NACL was made early in the month which will see us play Haitian side Tempete over two legs, the first being at home come July 27th. Winning this two-legged tie will see us enter the group stages.
Our first game of July was at home to Columbus and after a very difficult 40 minutes Atiba Harris broke the deadlock scoring off a well- timed through ball by Endinho. From the kickoff Endinho won possession of the ball, lobbed it forward to Arthuro and just like that it was 2-0. We held on to that lead until late in the game when Columbus pulled one back from a long shot. It was purely academic as DeMerit headed in our third in injury time.
It was off to the American Rockies to face Colorado who were one place behind us in the standings and they took an early lead after just 11 minutes. This summer evening turned out to be frustrating one as we totally dominated with 63% possession but not a single shot on target. How could that be?
Our return to BC to face play-off rival Real Salt Lake fared much better with a cracker of an opening goal by midfielder Mustapha Jarju, who’s shot on the volley from just inside the box flew into the back of the net. Once more we were in the driving seat with Salt Lake rarely threatening our goal though not much was happening at the opposite end either. We killed the game off just on the hour mark with Jay DeMerit heading in from a corner and that sealed the game and a vital three points.
Next up was a trip south to San Jose where we were lucky to finish up with 10 men on the field after picking up four yellow cards. Forward man Eric Hassli had the ball in the back of the net three times in the opening 12 minutes but all were ruled offside and it was left to winger Shea Salinas to strike home a rebounded Hassli shot after 33 minutes to give us the lead. We held onto that until midway through the second half when the home side equalized from on a corner and the score would remain unchanged for the rest of the game.
North American Champions League: Qualifying Round 1st Leg
So whilst the rest of the MLS was enjoying the All Star break we entertained Haitian side Tempete at BC Place in our first ever NACL game. Wingers Nanchoff and Salinas got us off to a great start with two goals in the opening 11 minutes and when I pushed Endinho in to the AMC role after the break the Brazilian magic came into play contributing to three second half goals ending in a 5-0 romp that should guarantee us spot in the group stages.
Remaining at home we were odds on favorites for the crucial visit of LA Galaxy as they were without Beckham and Keane. L.A. took the lead with a cross that caught our keeper flat footed and drifted over his head into the net. We hit back on the half hour with a brilliant one-two pass between Chiumiento and Hassli that the Frenchman finished off. Shortly thereafter DeMerit gave away a penalty and the Galaxy were in the lead once more. A counter attacking move finished off by Chiumiento meant it was all square at the half but the second 45 was not quite as thrilling until the end when L.A. snatched the victory from a late corner kick
August 2011
North American Champions League: Qualifying Round 2nd Leg
A 5-0 advantage afforded the opportunity to bring in some fringe players for the second leg against Tempete in Haiti but all we were able to do was pass the ball around and muster up a pathetic 2 shots on target that were easily saved. Although we qualified for the group stages this 0-0 draw was really not good enough.
The draw for the NACL slotted us in Group B along with Colorado whom I’m not looking forward to playing at least 2 more times now before the end of the season.
Back in Vancouver Alain Rochat gave us the lead over the Chicago Fire with a delightful glancing header from a corner kick early in the game. This was quickly added to by AMR Salinas whose cooly placed shot under the keeper made it 2-0 and that was it for what turned out to be be a tightly contested game thereafter.
We followed this game with a trip to Washington where we battled out a 1-1 draw with DC United with Salinas getting on the score sheet once more for us. I was happy with the point but still frustrated by the fact that we can’t seem to win two games in a row?
The Facilities for youth players are classified as average so I made a request for some improvements which the board agreed to and announced in a press release. At a cost of $5 million bucks I hope we get some prize money this season to pay for it!
The last 4 weeks or so (July-August) had seen the transfer window open up for bringing in foreign players and I snapped Brazilian striker Tardelly on a free transfer with minutes remaining in the window sending my current striker Arthuro into the reserve squad and off the list of registered players. Arthuro then cleared waivers departing Vancouver altogether.
I also paid $40,000 to Philadelphia for defender Sheanon Williams to bolster the flanks as he can play either side.
In order to pay for these player’s salaries I adjusted the transfer budget to increase the salary cap. When I checked earlier in the season I had around $227,000 but this had changed to $410,000 due to the MLS granting more allocation/transfer funds (At least that’s what my Wiki research says). However it happened, it sure helped out boosting my cap by additional $4,000.00. I was willing to make that sacrifice with the money rather than saving it to buy players.
North American Champions League: Match Day 1
We began our Group B campaign with a home opener against Colorado which saw us take the lead after 23 minutes with a splendid counter attacking move spearheaded by Salinas on the right flank whose cross ball was finished off by Russ Teibert on the left flank. I’d finally been able to get Teibert up from the reserves after tinkering with the squad registration. Salinas would be instrumental in creating our second goal which saw a low driving cross ball deflect off a Colorado defender an into the net. We were never in any serious trouble in this game and so we got off to a great start with a tidy 2-0 win.
We were off on two game road trip; the first stop in Portland. Despite being down to 10 men for the last thirty minutes we held on to a slender one goal lead scored by Salinas until the 93rd minute when Portland equalized from a corner. Darn!!!!!!!! Down in Panama we comfortably beat Tauro 2-0 in our Match Day 2 Group B NACL game with Hassli creating two goals for Salinas to send us joint top with Mexican side Morelia.
NACL Group B Standings
We finished off August back at BC Place where a wonderful strike by AML Chiumiento from an acute angle was the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Houston.
Results Summary:
MLS Standings: Combined East / West
It’s the Western Conference that is dominating the play-offs and we are certainly in the hunt for post regular season action!
Super Sevens:
It’s my defenders who once again top the rankings along with my wingers. My front men disappointly, are way down this list or not on it at all. Tardelly has only played a couple of games so hopefully he will rank much higher at the end of the season.
Fixtures:
We have four games on the road to begin with followed by four at home…wierd. The first four could have a huge impact on the end of the season.
Finally, a quick look at our finances which remain generally healthy.
Well that’s it for what seems to me to be a longer post than usual so thanks a lot for reading this and look forward to your feedback.
saltwater
19 февраля, 2012 at 21:24
Looking strong as usual, and the group stages of the NACL looked too easy for you guys; you could go far. Also Seattle’s lead at the top has been cut down and I seriously wouldn’t rule out a potention first place finish, although the play-offs are the most important thing for Vancouver.
Kevin
19 февраля, 2012 at 21:56
Thanks saltwater
I\m very happy with our NACL start and it would benice to pip Seattle for first place in the end though I’d be happy with some play off action of any form
TheZiggy
19 февраля, 2012 at 22:15
You’re keeping yourself right in the the fight for the play-offs. They certainly aren’t guaranteed, but I still think you should be able to keep in there.
Looks like you’ll be qualifying from the NACL group stage, with the only possible problem for you being how good the Mexican team is. That is quite bizarre how the NACL matches have ended up that you’ve got 4 away games, followed by 4 home matches.
Kevin
19 февраля, 2012 at 22:30
Hey Ziggy
The whole North American experience is bizzare but I’m loving it so far. It’s hard to know the quality of other teams in the region but it adds to the fun. I think we have a good shot at the knockout stages of the NACL
Johnny Karp
20 февраля, 2012 at 04:18
Good job Kevin, you have made a solid start in the NACL and you are closer than ever to the MLS play-offs. The club’s investment into the youth facilities is a step forward as well so overall this was an episode packed with good news. Keep’em coming!
Kevin
20 февраля, 2012 at 09:36
Hi Johnny
Glad you like this latest edition. We are doing much better than anticipated so I think I’ll be happy however the season ends. There are youngsters in affiliate teams called Vancouver Academy and Residency where there could be some hidden gems!
Martin - F.M.J.S
20 февраля, 2012 at 08:46
Good work Kevin still in a very good position in the MLS but Seattle seem to be running away with it and some good results in the NACL. Keep up the good work and I look forward to the next update. :)
Kevin
20 февраля, 2012 at 09:38
Hi Martin
Seattle are vey strong and I think most likely will win the MLS Cup after the play offs. I’m vey happy with our NACL start especially in beating Colorado
Neil Birkitt
20 февраля, 2012 at 08:58
Kevin,
As usual Awesome pal, Have you posted what tactics you are using in this save yet? (I may have missed them) I am thinking about leaving my save at the minute and going stateside for the experience. Also what are the American coaches like or is it a case of casting the net further afield in search of the best coaches?
Keep up the good work mate.
:)
Kevin
20 февраля, 2012 at 09:49
Hi Neil
Thanks a lot for your comment. The tactics I’m using are basically Darrens which you cab find using this link or just click on the tactics tab at the top of the page. The olny difference is I have a DMC instead of three across the middle and my lone striker is a Target Man. I sometimes turn the DMC into a striker and play a 442 but not often
https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2011/10/football-manager-2012-arsenal-tactic-play-the-passing-game/
As for the coaches they are not bad. I just did a filter using Determination, Discipline and motivation and being unemployed. So far so good. Remember though what leagues you load can make a difference — so does salary. I have Canadian, English and American.
Neil Birkitt
21 февраля, 2012 at 22:31
Kevin
cheers for this I have started a new save in the MLS as Seattle and have played 8 games won 6 and drawn 2 using the arsenal tactic my left sided player has bagged 12 already and the coaches are really good and cheap
cheers
Laxeyman
20 февраля, 2012 at 10:26
Good results Kevin, you’re in a great position in both the MLS and NACL, and a successful season is certainly on the cards :) Keep it up mate, good luck!
Kevin
20 февраля, 2012 at 11:35
Thanks Laxeyman
We are doinf far better that I thought we would in our inaugraul season though I don’t think we are quite there yet to grab some silverware.
David Faithfull
20 февраля, 2012 at 11:16
Kevin great story so far. Doing really well in the league and great to see you get a win over Colorado I bet you was ecstatic after that win! Do you think MLS or NCAL glory could be upon you?
Kevin
20 февраля, 2012 at 11:38
Hi David
Greetings from Canada and I’m happy you are enjoying the story. You are right, I very much enjoyed the NACL win over Colorado — had me out of my seat no less:) I don’t think we are quite strong enough to win anything this season but as I said in my opening post the first couple of seasons is all about building foundations. Still, I wouldn’t mind if we won something :)
David Faithfull
22 февраля, 2012 at 13:41
It would be great if you could get some silverware in your first season :D. It will ceratinly make you an icon within Canada!! :D
Darren Smith
20 февраля, 2012 at 11:50
Well done Kevin, a very successful update in my opinion. You look good for the play-offs and made a great start to life in the NACL…all looks very promising and lets hope the board keep helping too, all set for a big finale. :)
Kevin
20 февраля, 2012 at 12:36
Hi Darren
Thanks a lot. We are very much in contention in both competitions and hopefully will remain so until the end and can move on to the next phase.
vaibhavc
20 февраля, 2012 at 15:19
Good job Kevin, I think you did pretty well. I think you can definitely secure a playoff place. Great start in the NACL as well, the games against Morella will be crucial I feel.
Kevin
20 февраля, 2012 at 20:26
Hi vaibhavc
It’s looking pretty decent in the MLS though that Mexican team could stop any aspirations we might have for the NACL
nielsneutron
20 февраля, 2012 at 17:44
I totally agree with vaibhavc. You are doing great in the MLS and playoff is very likely. I also think that you will advance in the NACL.
Kevin
20 февраля, 2012 at 20:28
Hey nielsneutron
Thank. Appreciate the support as always!
Lye
21 февраля, 2012 at 00:51
Hi Kevin,
You are doing well in the MSL and the NACL group which could see you easily progress after the first two wins. Keep up the great form and we could see some silver when the first season ends. Good luck.
Kevin
21 февраля, 2012 at 09:17
Hello Lye!!
Nice to see you mate. Hope all is well and thanks for the comment. I think too that we are in a very good place in the NACL to move on to the next round.
CsAtlantis
21 февраля, 2012 at 03:13
Pretty nice finances despite spending 5 million pounds, Tardelly looks like an impressive talent at only 19 and Sheanon Williams is only 21 too, Shea Salinas is in amazing form, looking good for the playoffs and a great start to the NACL group stages
Good luck for the rest of the season Kevin
Kevin
21 февраля, 2012 at 09:20
Hi CsAtlantis
Shalinas has been in brilliant form lately and once Tardelly to scores his first goal for the club then he’ll be quite the star. at least I hope. I wanted to sing Williams in my Plymouth game but the deal fell through so I’m happy to have him now.
Lemuel Lim
21 февраля, 2012 at 15:13
nice try. pity you dun qualify for the knockout stages despite defeating real madrid. good luck next season.
Sears
22 февраля, 2012 at 16:42
Another successful update Kevin, the league form is excellent and you’re also doing very well in the NACL. KIU buddy!!
Kevin
23 февраля, 2012 at 08:54
Thanks Sears
We are do far better than I ever imagined we would for our very first season in the MLS
Davy Doyle
23 февраля, 2012 at 13:39
Well done kevin, looking good for the play-offs and great start in the NACL look forward to the final run-in
Kevin
23 февраля, 2012 at 17:07
Hi Davy
Thanks for your comment and hopefully I can bring you an exciting conclusion to this season
Tom Miller
23 февраля, 2012 at 22:13
Really nice story, you are doing really well for your first season :)
Kevin
24 февраля, 2012 at 00:32
Hey Tom
Greetings from Canada and I’m delighted that you are enjoying the story and thanks for your comment. Keep visiting!! :)
Ana Garcia
24 февраля, 2012 at 20:13
Sorry for the late response. :)
Things seem to be going really well but then again Vancouver were very good on my game when I was in the MLS so I cant be too surprised on your early progress.
Your NACL group looked quite tricky as I always seemed to struggle against sides from Mexico but again you have a made a great start and look almost certain to progress.
As always the best of luck. :)