VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC returned to training Tuesday at the University of British Columbia after picking up a gutsy 4-3 road win over Portland Timbers on the weekend.
The win, Vancouver’s first against the Timbers in Major League Soccer, ended Portland’s 22-match home unbeaten run. As Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson has noted repeatedly this season, he’d rather his team win 4-3 than 1-0. But at the same time, he said keeping things tight at the back will continue to be a focus in training.
“I want to play attacking football and I will play attacking football,” Robinson told reporters. “Our dilemma is trying to keep the back door shut. We’ll be working on that. It’s not going to happen overnight, as I said the attacking wouldn’t happen overnight … it’s a constant work-in-progress.”
For Robinson’s troops, the focus now shifts to Saturday’s meeting with Philadelphia Union – their final match before the league’s two-week World Cup break.
“I don’t want their minds thinking about anything else except Philadelphia away,” Robinson said. “It’s a very difficult game. They’re a good team. The results haven’t been what they would have liked recently but they have some very technical players … I wouldn’t call it a trap game. It’s a difficult game for us. Any away game is difficult. We’re not getting carried away just because we got a good result in Portland because this is equally as difficult for us.”
LISTEN: Robinson speaks to media after training
News and notes
- Whitecaps FC had a couple special guests at training on Tuesday by the name of Henrik and Daniel Sedin. The Vancouver Canucks stars, who were there filming a “Sedin vs. Sedin Challenge” for Canucks TV, exchanged jerseys with Russell Teibert and David Ousted and took part in a penalty shootout against the ‘Caps keeper. A full video will be available on Canucks.com this summer.
“They’re amazing athletes and it’s good soccer,” Daniel told whitecapsfc.com when asked about Whitecaps FC. “The league is getting better and better and it’s a lot of fun to watch.”
“The interest around the team is tremendous,” added Henrik. “It’s fun. It’s not easy to get a soccer team going in a lot of different cities but it’s working here.”
<a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/CfHjQhjDqCM?rel=0"></a> |
<b>Daniel Sedin penalty kick attempt in slow motion</b> |
<a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/lEyGlCS0Stg?rel=0"></a> |
<b>Henrik Sedin penalty kick attempt in slow motion</b> |
LISTEN: Daniel Sedin talks to whitecapsfc.com
LISTEN: Henrik Sedin talks to whitecapsfc.com
- Injured fullbacks Sam Adekugbe (right knee) and Ethen Sampson (right knee) were out on the field Tuesday doing some individual work with physiotherapist Graeme Poole.
“They’re coming along slowly,” Robinson said. “I think they’re continuing their rehab and build-up slowly. They’re not training with us yet so we’re probably looking at when we come back from the break for when they can hopefully join in.”
- Whitecaps FC right back Steven Beitashour was named to Iran’s final roster for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup over the weekend. As a result, he will miss Vancouver’s next two games and potentially more depending whether or not Iran advances.
“I’m delighted for him, disappointed for us obviously,” Robinson said. “It’s every player’s dream to go and play for a World Cup. We’re delighted Vancouver has a representative at the World Cup. It’s a phenomenal achievement. I hope he goes as far as possible, but on the flip side I hope he’s back very soon.”
It’s not too late to participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver. Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including prorated season tickets ($220), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets, and a youth soccer half-season ticket. Single-match tickets start at $22, subject to applicable fees. For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
