'Caps Primetime is a nightly variety of entertaining programs featuring current and former players, coaches, and your favourite ‘Caps personalities. On Thursdays, 'Caps take a trip down memory lane with a weekly rebroadcast of all-time classic matches.
This week's Throwback Thursday features another derby clash, a high-scoring affair at Providence Park from June 1, 2014.
We caught up with El Capitán, Pedro Morales, who authoured a number of memorable performances against the 'Caps biggest rivals from 2014 to 2016.
(Note: The interview was conducted in Spanish then translated to English below.)
What’s new with you since you left the ‘Caps?
Pedro Morales: After Vancouver, I signed with Colo-Colo in Chile, then at Universidad de Concepción, and last year, I was at Deportes Temuco.
Any fond memories you look back on from your years in Vancouver?
PM: It’s hard to pick one memory, I have many great memories from Vancouver. One that has really remained with me was my first match with the ‘Caps against New York Red Bulls. To score my first goal and my first assist, it felt incredible to play that well in my first game. I remember the reception from the fans, I honestly did not expect that.
Any other special matches that stick out?
PM: I’ll also always remember the games against Portland, against Seattle Sounders, against Toronto for the Canadian Championship, those games we played against Galaxy. They were important games, and we played well, we won cups against them, got some important wins. Thank God, I also scored a lot of goals against those teams. I still remember a very important game when we beat Toronto on the road, where they scored a goal and we won 4-2. It was a great match! Later on, I’ll also remember a number of the goals I scored, some beautiful goals, and some unforgettable moments with my teammates in the locker room. When we won the Cascadia Cup and the Canadian Championship, those will remain with me forever. The relationships I had with my teammates, with our coach Robbo, the staff. The truth is it was an incredible year for me in every way. My family enjoyed their time there a lot, so I will always remember it fondly, and hopefully, I can return some day to that city and that beautiful club.
What do you remember most from the Portland game in 2014?
PM: It was an incredible game. Incredible, incredible! I remember scoring two goals, I assisted Jordan (Harvey) who scored a great goal too, an excellent goal! And Erik (Hurtado) also scored a goal, so a nice game, an incredible atmosphere in the stadium. I think that playing there was spectacular. (Providence Park) was always full, the people, their fans. Winning there, apart from the fact that we were competing for the Cascadia Cup, which was also a super important achievement for the club. So winning that game was tremendous, a great memory. I remember that it was very hot but we got ahead in the game and we won.
Do you still keep in touch with any of your former ‘Caps teammates?
PM: I keep in touch with several of my former teammates. With Marco Bustos, with Kianz (Froese), with Rusty (Teibert) sometimes, with Jordan Harvey. I speak with Pa-Modou Kah, with Kendall (Waston), Matias (Laba), Sebastian Fernandez, Nico Mezquida, Cristian Techera, with (Christian) Bolaños too. We’re all Latinos so we communicate through Instagram, through Messenger. Whenever we can, we comment on each other’s photos, we greet each other’s families. Just to see how they are doing, how the family is doing, how the children are growing, how everything is with the club they’re playing for. It’s always good to be in contact with them. I want to take this opportunity to say hi to all the people I met at the club.
Would you like to share a message for Whitecaps FC fans?
PM: I’m totally grateful for how they accepted me in Vancouver. And the staff really treated me very well. From the very first day I arrived, the fans supported me, and I felt their support every time we played, so I will always remember it. I hope to return to the city some day and be able to watch a match and be able to share with the people who were there. I send you a big hug, I hope you are well, and that everyone is taking care of themselves especially during this time. I wish you the best. A big shout out to all the people in Vancouver, it is an amazing city and it was an amazing three years for me and my family.
Catch the rebroadcast of the Timbers vs. 'Caps match from 2014 on whitecapsfc.com tonight at 7:05 p.m. PT.
