VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC returned to training on Tuesday after their playoff-clinching 1-0 away win over Sporting Kansas City. Here are some news and notes from the day.
LET THE FUN BEGIN
As Carl Robinson said, “now it’s the fun part.”
The Western Conference-leading ‘Caps still have three matches remaining, starting Saturday against New York Red Bulls (2 p.m. PT on TSN1 and TSN 1410 radio), and they’re still battling for a home playoff game – or, better yet – a bye to the two-leg conference semifinals.
Safe to say they don’t plan on taking the foot off the gas any time soon.
“Three key games against really good teams,” Robinson told reporters. “Lots to play for. We’ve got one foot in the door, but we want to try and finish as high as we can."
REYNA REWARDED WITH PERU CALL
It was announced on Tuesday that Yordy Reyna has been added to Peru’s roster for their crucial World Cup qualifiers vs. Argentina and Colombia this week and next. That of course means Reyna won’t be available on Saturday against New York, but it’s also a just reward for the 24-year-old attacking midfielder after a flying start to his MLS career.
“It’s a credit to Yordy,” Robinson said. “And it’s a credit to the team he’s played with that he’s managed to put himself in the window where the national team comes calling. I’m delighted for him because he gets to play against Argentina and Colombia.”
Peru hasn’t qualified for a World Cup since 1982. Can Reyna help them get over the line?
He’s certainly been a massive boost to Whitecaps FC after recovering from a broken foot suffered in the preseason.
“He’s so enjoyable to watch,” Robinson said. “He creates, he scores, he works hard, and he’s a little rascal. That’s what he is. But he’s some player. There’s talk about him being arguably the best player the club’s had and if he keeps going the way he is I won’t disagree.”
NOSA NEARING DEBUT?
Reyna won’t be in the lineup Saturday, and neither will Christian Bolaños, Kendall Waston, and Stefan Marinovic due to international duty, but one player who might be is newcomer Nosa Igiebor.
The Nigerian box-to-box midfielder, who has experience in Spain’s La Liga as well as the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, has been working hard to get up to speed over the last few weeks and according to Robinson, he’s “progressed nicely.”
“I’ll try and get him involved on the weekend,” Robinson said. “He won’t start the game but he might come off the bench. I need to try and take a look at him before the end of the season … he’s still got a little bit of ways to go, but you see him in training. He’s got quality.”
