VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson met with the media on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s visit to FC Dallas (5 p.m. PT on TSN2 and TSN 1410 radio). Here are some news and notes from the day.
'IT'S ABOUT PLAYING'
Whitecaps FC announced a few more loans this week, sending left back Sam Adekugbe to Swedish club IFK Göteborg and central midfielder Ben McKendry to North American Soccer League side FC Edmonton.
And the reason for that, according to head coach Carl Robinson, is quite simple.
“It’s just to get them games,” Robinson said. “It’s about playing. I don’t want players to be sitting here not playing games. If they’re not going to be part of this group at this current time, then they need to play competitive games.”
Robinson said Adekugbe is “a little bit passed” the United Soccer League level and is ready for the next stage of his career, adding that IFK Göteborg wanted Adekugbe last year but the left back chose Brighton & Hove Albion FC instead.
“This year it’s come up again,” Robinson said. “It’s a good opportunity for him to go and play 15-20 games for six months.”
As for McKendry, Robinson said it’s a matter of challenging him in a new environment.
“You find out about players when they’re in different environments,” he said. “Whether they sink or swim. So that will be good for Benny as well.”
REYNA SET FOR FIRST START?
Robinson was asked on Wednesday if we might see Reyna start on the weekend.
Without hesitation, before the reporter was even done asking the question in fact, Robinson answered: “Yes, yes you might.” Take that for what you will.
“We’ve had to be patient with Yordy,” Robinson said. “We’re delighted to have him back. He’s an exciting player. In the four appearances he’s come on as a sub he’s shown us glimpses of something we haven’t had. Hopefully over the next three away games we’ll build his fitness up even more … we need Yordy fit and firing to allow us to create more opportunities.”
MORE MOVES TO COME?
The ‘Caps may not be done shopping just yet after acquiring New Zealand international goalkeeper Stefan Marinović, as Robinson said on Wednesday that the club is still looking at one or two more pieces to “add competition in certain areas.”
“Competition brings out the best in players,” he said. “I want players to fight for their place.”
Major League Soccer’s summer transfer window closes on August 9.
WELL-DESERVED BREAK
It’s been a busy month for Alphonso Davies.
After playing four matches in the span of two weeks for the Canadian men’s national team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the 16-year-old appeared as a late sub for Whitecaps FC in their recent outing against Portland – just a few days after returning to Vancouver.
And it’s for that reason Davies was not at training on Wednesday. Robinson said the youngster has been given a couple days off to rest and recuperate. Whitecaps FC centre back Kendall Waston was also absent from training dealing with “one or two things” in his native Costa Rica.
Asked whether they’ll be available on the weekend, Robinson said with a smile: “Maybe.”
