BURNABY, BC — Vancouver’s misfiring offense has been the only downside in their impressive start to the 2012 season.
Midfielder John Thorrington may have the solution.
“I don’t think we take enough chances,” Thorrington told MLSsoccer.com on a wet Tuesday at Swangard Stadium. “We play a more cautious pass rather than a more threatening pass, or try to make an extra pass rather than get a shot on target. Our shot attempts and shots on target aren’t anywhere near they should be, and that’s a function of many different things.”
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The shots on target haven’t been there at all for two games running, but Thorrington feels he can be the engine that drives the team from the center of the park.
“On Saturday, I feel like we got into some good spots and got some good balls into the box,” Thorrington said of last weekend's scoreless draw in Philadelphia. “We didn’t quite have the cutting edge, and that’s something we worked on in practice today and something the coaches have addressed.
“Possession can be one of our strengths, but there’s no point in keeping the ball if we’re not threatening the other team and that’s something I’ll look to do. My job and the job of [my teammates] is to implement what the coaches are talking about, and that’s something we’ll hope to address right away this weekend [away to the San Jose Earthquakes].”
The 32-year-old said he’s feeling fit enough to play a full match at this stage after being withdrawn in the 59th minute during Saturday’s 0-0 draw, but insisted he will be taking the advice of Vancouver’s expert medical staff on board.
The game was his first of the season after suffering a quad injury during preseason.
“I can bounce back much easier now that [the medical staff] has addressed my back [injury],” Thorrington said. “Physically in the game I was quite pleased fitness wise that I was able to get through the 60 minutes. I was never tired or felt like I couldn’t keep going.
“[Whether I play a full game] will be a question that I’ll speak about with the coaches and the medical staff, and I’m just grateful I’m giving them decisions to make and out there helping my team.”
Whitecaps FC MLS 2012 season tickets start at just $295. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, suites, and loge boxes, call 604.669.9283orvisit whitecapsfc.com.
