VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC returned to training Tuesday at UBC after picking up their first win of the 2015 season.
Here are some news and notes from the day.
<strong><b>TRAINING<br>
INTERVIEWS:</b></strong> |
<a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/video/2015/03/17/carl-robinson-mar-17-post-training" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/interview_robinson_w.png" style="width: 140px; height: 60px; "></a><a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/video/2015/03/17/nico-mezquida-mar-17-post-training" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/interview_mezquida_b.png" style="width: 140px; height: 60px; "></a><a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/video/2015/03/14/march-14-david-ousted" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/interview_beitashour_b.png" style="width: 140px; height: 60px;"></a> |
ROSALES UPDATE
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson confirmed that Mauro Rosales will not play Saturday against Orlando City SC (4:30 p.m. PT kickoff - TSN1 and TSN 1410) after leaving Saturday’s match with an ankle sprain – though he also confirmed that there were no broken bones.
“He’s missing this weekend and that’s not a good sign for us because he’s been very influential on and off the field,” Robinson told reporters. “I think he’s gone for a scan or he’s having a look but he definitely won’t be back in the near future, I don’t think.”
COVERING GROUND
Nicolas Mezquida made his first appearance of the season this past weekend after Rosales was subbed off just before halftime. And the Uruguayan midfielder was buzzing.
He linked up well with countrymate Octavio Rivero, as he did throughout the preseason, and came close to scoring himself. Also of note, Robinson said Mezquida covered the most distance on the team in the second half.
When asked if he’s comfortable with Mezquida on the right wing, where Rosales had been playing, Robinson said:
“He’s very effective wherever he plays. He can play any of the front four positions really. So Nico comes into the equation, as does Kianz [Froese], as does Erik [Hurtado], as does Darren [Mattocks]. I’ve got good options, different options with more technical ability or more pace and power. We’ll nail it down towards the end of the week.”
NO MORALES
Pedro Morales (illness) did not train on Tuesday. Though Morales was held off the scoresheet in Vancouver’s first two matches, Robinson said it’s a little “harsh” to suggest he’s been off his game.
“For 45 minutes at home, he was fantastic against Toronto,” Robinson said. “I think we all weren’t up to the levels we [needed to be] in the second half. Against Chicago we played slightly different tactically and I asked him to do a different role in his defending to try and exploit his attacking expertise and it worked to a tee because he created two fantastic chances – even though he didn’t hit the target.”
“If you give me Pedro having two chances like that every away game, I’ll take it without a doubt," Robinson added, "because I know that he’ll put them away.”
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