The transfer window is open and it is time for the Vancouver Whitecaps to do some shopping.
The MLS transfer window originally opens on July 18. But it opened on Friday for Canadian clubs. The Whitecaps are among the teams that are now free to spend.
“The process of determining Canada Soccer’s 2024 transfer windows began in late 2023, with much of the communication between stakeholders about this issue taking place in early 2024,” read the Canada Soccer statement put out on Friday. “The CPL preferred a secondary transfer window that would start on July 5. The MLS wished to maintain alignment with the U.S. Soccer Federation’s secondary transfer window, which begins on July 18.
The statement also read: “To reconcile this discrepancy, Canada Soccer sought a regulatory exception from FIFA that would allow the three Canadian MLS clubs to adhere to U.S. Soccer Federation transfer windows. This would allow the Canada Soccer transfer windows to differ without creating a misalignment for the Canadian MLS clubs. Unfortunately, this exception was not approved and was further denied on appeal. Accordingly, Canada Soccer determined a compromise and communicated to MLS and CPL that the secondary transfer window in Canada would start on July 12, 2024 – one week later than preferred by CPL and one week earlier than favoured by MLS.”
The biggest Whitecaps window of their MLS era
The Whitecaps are a good soccer team. But are they a great soccer team? No.
But can they be one if they make the right signings in the next few weeks? It is certainly possible. Vancouver is currently sitting sixth in the Western Conference and is five points behind the fourth-place Colorado Rapids. However, they also sit just two points above Austin FC.
So they need a few pieces to take them over the hump. They are already a decent team and have a decent core with the likes of Ryan Gauld, Brian White, Andres Cubas and Ranko Veselinovic. But there needs to be more depth. In the last few months, we have seen that Vancouver’s depth is as shallow as a kiddy pool.
The ‘Caps also have a designated player spot. They have a chance to add another difference-maker. They also use an Under 22 spot or a “young DP spot.”
This is the biggest transfer window of the Whitecaps’ MLS era. This squad is the best one they’ve had in their MLS era and this is a huge oppurtunity for them to go from good to great. After all, it is the 50th anniversary of the team and attendance has gone up (mainly due to the Inter Miami game) and the club will want those fans to stay. It starts with the transfer window.
“At any time, I have full belief in this group and if we had every player available, we could compete for a top-four spot,” said Whitecaps Sporting Director and CEO Axel Schuster at a press conference on June 26. “We have to fight through this period and will look at additions to the roster to see if an addition makes sense.”
What do the Whitecaps need?
There are plenty of ways for the Whitecaps to improve the roster. Firstly, the team needs another creative midfielder. Think of an upgrade on Fafa Picault who is reportedly on his way out as he wants to return to the East Coast according to MLS insider Tom Bogert.
This midfielder could be another 10 like Gauld. In Vanni Sartini’s 3-4-3 system, he could also play alongside Gauld or be a bit further back if Gauld and White are paired up top together. This midfielder could create with Gauld or for Gauld. He could even be a number eight and play alongside Cubas.
Other than White and Johnson and Kreilach, striker depth is also lacking. The Whitecaps sold Simon Becher to Denmark’s AC Horsens in the winter. Johnson hasn’t quite figured things out yet and Kreilach isn’t the player he once was.
Vancouver loves to cross the ball. They are 10th in MLS in crosses with 407 according to FootballReference. According to Fotmob, they are second in the league with accurate crosses per match with 6.1. I believe they need a target man to get onto those crosses. A striker would also create competition for White and could step up if he is out of form or injured. This striker would have a physical presence and be good in the air.
A wing-back would also be needed, especially for the right side. Giuseppe Bovalina isn’t a starter (At least not yet) and Ryan Raposo is better off for the right side. Ali Ahmed has played as a right wing-back but it seems he is better in the midfield. The ideal wing-back would be quick and an excellent crosser.
The Whitecaps added Bjorn Inge Utvik and Belal Halbouni for added centre-back depth. (Though Halbouni has only played one game.) It wouldn’t hurt to add another centre-back especially since Tristan Blackmon is out until the Leagues Cup and Ranko Veselinovic, Mathias Laborda and Javain Brown have been up and down in terms of form.
Could anyone be on their way out?
Usually, in a transfer window, it means players are going out as well as coming in. Given the fact MLS has a salary cap, it makes sense for some players to be offloaded.
As mentioned, Picault seems to be on his way out. But is there anyone else? At this point, nothing has been reported on potential outgoings other than Picault.
Pedro Vite has been rumoured to leave for Belgium. But that was in April and rumours on him have been quiet since.
“It’s a maybe yes, absolutely,” said Schuster in April when asked about Vite potentially leaving this summer by Har Johal of Canadian Soccer Daily.
Deiber Caicedo was loaned out to Junior FC in his native Colombia. There were reports that Junior was close to signing him permanently but Schuster debunked them. The ‘Caps have a decision to make. Do they keep Caicedo or sell him and find a replacement for him?
Who would be a dream signing?
One name that I personally would love the Whitecaps to be in on is CF Montreal’s Mathieu Choinière. The Canadian international requested a trade back in May due to contract negotiations stalling according to Bogert.
Choinière would be a great fit. He can play as an eight, ten or as a wing-back. The 25-year-old is very solid defensively and is an excellent creator. He and Cubas would form a dynamic partnership in the midfield.
According to his FootballRefence profile, Choinière is in the 81st percentile in shot-creating actions among midfielders and the 94th percentile among wing-backs.
Time to cook
It is easier said than done to find the right players. But this team needs some new additions to help Gauld, White and Cubas go to the next level. Time to let Schuster and his staff cook.