PORTLAND, OREGON – Vancouver Whitecaps FC concluded their preseason schedule by playing to a 1-1 draw with Chicago Fire Saturday afternoon at Providence Park.
Here are three things that stood out to me.
GREAT DANE
If it wasn’t for David Ousted, Chicago could have very easily been up 2-0 inside 20 minutes.
The Danish keeper looked in midseason form, making a pair of diving saves off a 20-yard Quincy Amarikwa strike and a Kennedy Igboananike header from the centre of the box.
Those are the types of saves ‘Caps fans became accustomed to last year, when Ousted led the league with 13 clean sheets. Unfortunately, the Fire spoiled Ousted’s shutout bid at the death on Saturday, but it sure looks like he’s ready for March 7.
GETTING FORWARD
Time and time again throughout the preseason, I’ve heard Carl Robinson challenge his midfield players to score more goals this year. And they’re going to have to if Whitecaps FC are going to score 25 more goals than they did in 2014 – a goal Robinson has publically stated.
Russell Teibert didn’t score on Saturday, but he certainly made things happen going forward from that central midfield position. In the fourth minute, for example, he picked up a loose ball at the halfway line before making a great run and playing in Nicolas Mezquida. The 22-year-old Canadian also picked up an assist on Vancouver’s only goal.
Robinson is spoiled for choice at this position, and don't expect that to change any time soon. Vancouver's five central midfielders have an average age 21.4 years old.
But if Teibert can consistently create like he did on Saturday, then he’s going to be hard to keep out of the lineup.
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
Speaking of hard to keep out of the lineup, Robinson brought on Sam Adekugbe, Gershon Koffie, and Darren Mattocks just after the hour-mark on Saturday, which is around the time the ‘Caps started to take over. Coincidence?
Robinson doesn’t think so.
“They were fantastic in their attitude but also their play,” Robinson told reporters of his subs. “They’re knocking right on the door to start. I’ve got some good decisions to make. That’s good, because I didn’t have them last year. But I’ve got them this year.”
After scoring his first two goals of the preseason on Wednesday, Mattocks looked lively again against the Fire. This time, however, he was playing on the left wing.
“It was just a different look,” Robinson said. “Flipping Kekuta from the left to the right, putting Darren on and using Octavio as the focal point. It looked excellent for half an hour. It’s an exciting option for me.”
Participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver! The 2015 Whitecaps FC season kicks off on March 7 versus Toronto FC at BC Place. Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are now on sale. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, Student Half-Season Tickets, and a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket. For more information on 2015 Season Tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
