Hi everyone and welcome back as I’m delighted to bring you the spring report of my continuing story with the Vancouver Whitecaps. We ended pre-season having gone through some changes at the club; new stadium, new players and saying goodbye to old friends but had moved forward reaching the semi-finals of the NACL tournament winning the first leg 2-0 in Honduras. Did we make the final? Let’s take a look and see as well as the start of the MLS season.
March 2015
Our opening game of the 2015 campaign was away to New York whom we had already played twice in the previous month, winning over 2 legs to reach the NACL semi-finals. This time though The Red Bulls looked bent on revenge and we found ourselves two goals down just after the hour mark as striker Danny Mwange tormented our back four. Two cracking shots from distance by Villalobes tied the game up and with just minutes to spare and we snatched victory right at the end as Marc Pelosi finished off a breakaway move for a tremendous come from behind win.
A packed house was on hand as we hosted Sporting Kansas City for the first ever MLS game at Vancouver Stadium and we didn’t disappoint the home crowd with wingers Pelosi and Nagbe grabbing early goals for a comfortable three points.
April 2015
Early pressure that resulted in an own goal paved the way for an easy 3-0 win over FC Dallas who had come to Canada presenting a very attacking formation. Darlington Nagbe converted from the spot after being dragged down in the penalty area as he continued his fine form and David DiPlacido teed up Gershon Koffie who struck from 25 yards to seal the game mid-way through the second half
NACL Semi-Final 2nd Leg:
Desperate to get back into the game Motagua drew first blood just after the half hour as we failed to clear a corner properly as the Hondurans were rewarded for some fine possession play. As they looked to tie the aggregate score we caught them on the counter with a superb breakaway move by RW Jordi Pablo whose cross was side footed into the net by Traore just on the stroke of half time.
That I thought would demoralize Motagua but apparently not as they took the lead 11 minutes into the second half but a superb free kick by Traore five minutes later made it 2-2 on the night and restored our aggregate 2 goal advantage. Ike Opara headed in goal number three and another counter saw DiPlacido neatly finish off the move driving the ball under the Motagua keeper at the near post to send us through to the final where we will meet Mexican Toluca who crushed Seattle in the second leg.
We followed our NACL victory with back to back wins at home over Los Angeles and our first away game of the season in the MLS where we overcame San Jose to grab all three points.
All was looking good until the club was rocked by two pieces of bad news in a row. First was a 2-3 month injury to Traore who limped off in the game against San Jose.
Second was a double transfer request, one coming totally out of the blue – both were accepted as I didn’t want miserable players affecting dressing room moral if they stayed.
Ahead of the NACL final we made some changes to our line up for our trip to the East coast which totally back-fired as we recorded one of our heaviest defeats for some time which was compounded by the sending off of LB Bret Melia mid-way through the second half.
North American Champions League Final 1st Leg
At the Estadio Nemesio we faced Mexican side Toluca and got off to the best possible start taking the lead after just 15 minutes as Villalobes pounced on a shot by DiPlacido that was partially saved to make it 1-0. Club captain Cuesta scored with a typical powerful header to double our lead just after the half hour mark and repeated the effort early in the second half for a stunning 3-0 lead. Then suddenly it went all tragically wrong. A slip by RB Jackson allowed Toluca to pull one back and in a twenty minute spell they turned the game on its head, toying with our back four that resulted in Henry being sent off and grabbing two more goals. Somehow we managed to avoid conceding a fourth and it will take everything we can muster to win this title now even with home field advantage.
Back in MLS action we travelled to Houston where Doniel Henry who was sent off against Toluca turned hero heading us into the lead but then turned villain again as once more he was sent off which led to a Houston equalizer. Most of the players were exhausted by the end of the game as the April schedule began to take its toll.
We traded want-away Ike Opara to Philadelphia for experienced defender Dejan Jakovic who immediately got injured on his first day of training as both the on and off the field turmoil continued. On a brighter note both Edson and Villalobes became Canadian citizens so that will free up international slots on the overall roster.
North American Champions League Final 2nd Leg
Champions League fever had gripped Vancouver for days and a capacity crowd of over 28,000 was on hand to see if the lads could grab their second NACL title. We got off to a fantastic start as Toluca were reduced to 10 men early on and Rafael Arboleda struck the ball home with venom from the resulting free kick with 11 minutes gone. Minutes later Yamith Cuesta sent the crowd wild making it 2-0, heading in from a corner and we seemed on our way.
With half time looming a total horror show unfolded as a wayward pass by RB Sarkodie allowed Toluca to pull one back and minutes later Cuesta headed into his own net to make it 2-2. A rampant Toluca surged forward and struck a third leaving us reeling at half time. Despite being a man down Toluca were playing with intestinal fortitude though somehow we managed to stop an avalanche of goals and eventually made it 3-3 on a rare attack with Villalobes scoring on the volley.
We couldn’t do enough to snatch the victory and into extra time we went where another catastrophic error saw GK Loris Karius miss-judge the flight of the ball for a Toluca striker to head home, 4-3. Indeed that would be the killer blow as moral and stamina sank and the fight went out of us as we handed the NACL title on a plate to the Mexicans.
May 2015
After the disappointment of losing the NACL Final in front of our home fans we next faced Philadelphia in the MLS and won the game by a single goal coming from Josh Galloway who returned from long term injury. The victory was over-shadowed by yet another sending off this time captain Yamith Cuesta.
Back at Vancouver Stadium we treated our home fans to a fabulous first half display against Chicago netting four goals, two from set pieces by Doneil Henry. A thunderous strike by Koffie and a typical low drive shot under the keeper by Nagbe ensured this game was over by the time the referee blew his whistle for the interval.
Canadian Championship:
Having already qualified for this season’s champions League by winning the Supporters Shield last season our domestic competition didn’t offer any real reward other the bragging rights. We were drawn against Edmonton in the semi-finals who we easily beat over the two legs.
Club captain Yamith Cuesta became a Canadian after this game so now we have three available slots for international players on the squad roster. Unfortunately all our Senior slots are maxed out at twenty players.
In the final against Toronto we totally outplayed our rivals at Vancouver Stadium with 28 shots on goal and took a two goal advantage into the second leg. At BMO Field Toronto had the upper hand for most of the game but a superb counter attacking move finished off by DiPlacido ensured we were Canadian champions for the second straight year and four out of the last five seasons.
In between the two-legged final we had played a Cascadia Cup match away to Portland which we almost threw away giving up a three goal lead and hanging on for the win. The the final game of this spring session saw us take on New York who had scored ELEVEN goals in their last two games.
A cacophony of long range shots in the opening half hour finally paid off with two smashing goals from distance by midfielders Arboleda and Villalobes. These were supplemented with a “poacher’s brace” by Joaquin Hernandez as we trounced the visitors 4-1
Standings:
We head the West on goal difference but have three games in hand over second place Colorado and have a big point’s gap over rivals Los Angeles.
For the Supporter’s Shield we find ourselves in second place behind the Red Bulls though we have four games in hand over them with just a gap of three points to close.
We start our summer fixtures with a two game road trip and finish June with a potential Western top of the table clash with Colorado.
Finances:
We received $150,000.00 in Allocation Funds for winning the Canadian Championship so that helped nicely towards the transfer kitty taking our total to $605,000.00. With the bank balance over $8 million things are looking a lot healthier now.
Well that completes this episode which definitely had its share of high and low points especially the catastrophic second leg of the NACL Final – we finally succumbed to the big occasion which perhaps was partly due to a very young side. Still we did go on a domestic 8 game win streak which hopefully we can carry over into the summer months.
Thanks for reading!!
Benjy
7 июня, 2012 at 11:47
Unlucky Kevin in the NACL. That Mexican team is ridiculousy resilient, coming back from 0-3 down and then 0-2 with 10 men. At least your form in the league will be restoring morale. Your fortunes weren’t great with injuries either. Considering you went so close with such a young team, you will stand even greater chances of success when they have a bit more experience ( and a bit more luck ;) )
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 08:52
Hi Benjy
In the end it was a case of experience over youth in the NACL and the Toluca wingers were a lot quicker than my full backs. We are in this seasons competition as well so hopeffully we can go just as far.
Darren Smith
7 июня, 2012 at 12:00
That was so unlucky in the NACL Kevin, to have a fightback like that against you is very frustrating but injuries and morale must have had an effect. Still some great results in there though for the league.
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 08:54
Hi Darren
Very happy with the league form though I’m still a bit sheell shocked from the NACL Final. Young players lost there nerve maybe?
Bence Répási
7 июня, 2012 at 12:59
Hello Kevin!
First I want to congratulate to the domestic season, it was just great. But the NACL could have been better as the others have said. Sometimes the things are going like that.
Anyway, Keep up the good work, I’m really enjoying your story and I hope next year will be revenge time in the NACL!
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 08:58
Hi Bence
Thanks very much for you kind comment and I’m delighted that you are enjoying the story!
TheZiggy
7 июня, 2012 at 15:40
The way you gave up commanding positions in the NACL final was rather worrying. Was shocked that the team failed to close the match out. I guess the changes and injuries were a large part of the problem.
The MLS campaign is however looking very good so far, so despite the frustration of the losing the NACL final, it still looks like it’s be a good season.
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 09:01
Hi Ziggy
The NACL loss I think was partly due to a very nervy back four. The selling of some more experienced players overseas in the end has back-fired as well as injuries of course. We are still on course for what looks like another run at the MLS Cup later in the year.
Martin - F.M.J.S
7 июня, 2012 at 16:28
The NACL cup final must have been so annoying but you have managed to get some good result in the League and with all the games in hand you are looking strong. Keep it going mate
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 09:02
Hi Martin
Yeah annoying pretty much covers though at least we bounced back domestically.
vaibhavc
7 июня, 2012 at 17:47
You have four games in hand, so that lead will increase and you will soon overtake New York Red Bulls. In the NACL, the leads that you gave away seem to be worrying, but Im sure it was just hard luck.
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 09:05
Hi vaibhacv
The NACL final is a bitter pill to swallow especially having given up leads in both legs. We should ovetake NY but they are a much stronger team this season
Ana Garcia
7 июня, 2012 at 18:21
Bad luck in the NACL!
Always annoys me when a team plays so well after having a man sent off, if my team loses a player then its usually an easy victory for my opposition if they lose a player they are very difficult to beat and I usually end up either losing or drawing.
That said things are still going well and financially things are starting to look a lot better, good luck! :)
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 09:07
Thank Ana!
Even Vancouver have won games with just 10 men so you make a good point about about how better a team plays once that happens.
Fiances are great comapred to last season so that’s really pleasing and on less thing to worry about :)
saltwater
7 июня, 2012 at 21:35
Unlucky in the final, to have such a lead and be convinced that you were going to get the silverware then have it ripped away, terrible. But younger and inexperianced players do have more of a tendancy to become complacent.
Another MLS cup should be on the horizon even if it is early doors, as Vancouver dominate all their opponents and the only time where you actually were ouplayed was the 4-2 loss against New England and that was your second string side. So times are looking bright and it is quite clear that you are heads and shoulders above the rest in the MLS.
Good Luck
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 09:15
Hi saltwater
Thanks a lot mate — that’s a real uplifting comment especially after the NACL final which you so eloquently described exactly how I feel and what happened on the field.My only concern with the MLS is New York as they are playing really well even though we have beat them a number ot times this season
Dan
7 июня, 2012 at 21:58
Hey Kevin,
Unlucky about the NACL but the league is still going very well, especially considering those 4 games in hand you have over New York. Your finances continue to improve too so all I can do is wish you good luck for the remainder of the season. :)
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 09:11
Hi Dan
Thanks for the well wishes and our financial stability is comforting for sure. Still in mourning over the NACL final :(
CsAtlantis
8 июня, 2012 at 03:08
Some turmoil on and off the pitch disrupted your team somewhat, but still your team performed well in the NACL, but what happened in the final, did both teams choose not to defend? :P
Anyway your finances are looking very steady now, good luck for the rest of the season
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 09:10
Hi CsAltantis
LOL! It really does look like that. I had a younger GK between the sticks so perhaps Toulca did also hence the goal glut? It was of course a GK error that made the difference in the end.
Johnny Karp
8 июня, 2012 at 10:32
Damn, that was a wild NACL final! Those big occasions are always difficult to handle, especially when you have to deal with problems that are somewhat adjacent to football itself. However, you are still dominating North American football and I don’t see why that would change any time soon.
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 19:18
Thanks Johnny
It was very wild indeed and I was totally gutted by the end as you could imagine. Still the new competition will start again soon so we can have another crack at it :)
Tegar Triemanudigdo
8 июня, 2012 at 12:18
Ah…it was a shame that you lost in a rather unlucky way, but the good side is that your domestic campaign still rolling there. Keep up the good work and I can see the finance looking good there.
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 19:27
Thanks Tegar
It was abit of a downer but at least we are still going strong domestically
Laxeyman
8 июня, 2012 at 13:17
Looks like a thrilling NACL final, unlucky that you had to be the losing side Kevin :( Good form in the MLS though, you look set to top the table in that, and hopefully you can stay there :) Good luck!
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 19:30
Hey Laxeyman!!
Thrilling indeed matebut would have been nice if the Whitecaps had won. Oh well :( We will be back in the NACL again this season though!
Nikola Katsarov
8 июня, 2012 at 19:47
Damn, that’s what you call A FINAL! I’m so sorry for you, Kevin.
I just can’t understand how you can lose a 3 goal advantage for 36 minutes..I had many games where i was winning 3-0 at HT, and drawing after 90 minutes. But that’s so so so strange, what the hell happened there? Mexican curse I think??
But you have to move on, and you know that. I’m just saying that to encourage you. We are all sure that you’re gonna bring the cup back next season.
Good Luck! ;)
Kevin
8 июня, 2012 at 23:37
Hi there Nikola
Thanks very much for leaving a comment and thanks for the encouraging words. It’s very strange what happened — my team seemed to just fall apart playing nervously and recklessly. I’m still trying to come to terms with it though thanks for your support!!
Heresy
9 июня, 2012 at 01:30
Wow, so unlucky in the NACL! 6-7 on aggregate is a ridiculous score and i think the evil gremlins hiding in the coding had something to do with it >=O
Other than that, barring the one defeat which came just after the lost NACL final, you’re really looking like the dominant force in North America at the moment. And I wasn’t joking when I said you can win it without losing a match, you came really close and just the drop in morale offset this amazing campaign.
The signing rules are ridiculous, you win the competition so you should be entitled to get the first pick! Other teams may battle for players later on, be it in random draw or ome sort of seedings, but it’s really unfortunate that you can’t secure the best players for yourself. Still, the ones you get looks really good, and the squad seems to be very balanced.
Good luck un the second part of the season, show them who’s boss and win everything there’s left to win! :)
Kevin
9 июня, 2012 at 10:13
Hey Heresy
Thanks for blaming the NACL result on the coding — that makes me feel better :)
I appreciate your confidence in the team and my abilities and with everything aligned perhaps we could be unbeatable but sadly not this season.
The signing rules are typical of North American sports the idea being to avoid one team creating a long term dynasty such as Man U and to make the league fair by creating an opportunity for every team to become champions — in theory at least.
Lye
11 июня, 2012 at 08:36
Hi Kevin,
Unlucky about NCAL final loss especially when they got a man sent off early in 10th minute, things should look comfortably for you. I guess that was those days when you dominated the shots and possession but still ended up on the losing side. Other than this disappointment, the rest of the results are positive. Good luck for the games coming up.