Whitecaps FC 'absolutely loving' new dimension of Kendall Waston's aerial dominance

VANCOUVER, B.C. – When Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson added Kendall Waston to his squad in August, he described the 6-foot-5 Costa Rican centre back as a "monster."

People got a glimpse of that in Waston's dominant performance in Vancouver's 2-0 defeat of San Jose Earthquakes Wednesday night at BC Place. 

After missing an open header in the first half, the Ticos defender was brought down in the box for a first-half penalty kick and later scored his first MLS goal with a powerful second-half header in just his third start as a Whitecaps FC palyer.

Waston caused San Jose problems all night at both ends of the pitch, also putting in a solid defensive display, and Robinson feels the best is still to come from the 26-year-old.

"I still think he can get better," Robinson told reporters after the match. "There's areas of his game that he needs to work on, and we’ll work on those with him. I was disappointed because he missed the easier header in the first half. He's getting a chance a game or two chances a game. When he scored the difficult header, he ran off to celebrate and you see the big smile on the big guy’s face, but you have the rest of the team hanging off him and he doesn’t even know they’re on his back, which is how big he is and how strong he is. It was an excellent performance by him."

Waston came to Vancouver with a reputation as a goalscorer, even as a defender. Having had chances to break his MLS duck in the last couple of games, the joy on the Costa Rican's face at his first goal for his new club was very evident, but his first home victory gave him even more pleasure.

"I had the first chance in the first half of the game, and I missed it," Waston said after the game. "So I’ve got to keep on working hard, because I know any time there can be another chance, so thank God I could score the second goal. I just thought, 'Oh, finally,' because I was looking for it a long time ago. The game before vs. D.C., I missed some goals, so today was the day. [It was] nice, not just for the goal but because I know how hard our players are working during the week to win, and today we could win, and it was a great feeling." 

Robinson is looking for the goals to come in any way they can and Waston's aerial threat will have a big part to play for Vancouver down the stretch, bringing a formerly absent dimension to Vancouver's game, much to the enjoyment of the 'Caps coach.

"I love it; I absolutely love it," Robinson said of Waston's strength in the air. "I actually want us to play for corners and free kicks, because I think the big man can score at any opportunity. It's important, because top games of football around the world are won on set pieces – and today we won the game on set pieces."

By the numbers

Waston has only played four matches, so the sample size is still relatively small, but here’s a look at some impressive his numbers that illustrate how the Costa Rican is stacking up against the rest of MLS.

Statistics courtesy of Opta Sports and compiled by whitecapsfc.com.
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, 5-packs, 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.