The Vancouver Whitecaps have been on a downward spiral over the past few weeks.
They are coming off back-to-back 3-0 away losses. The first was against LA Galaxy, followed by another to the Colorado Rapids. The Whitecaps have lost four out of their last five matches in MLS. Vancouver has also been outscored 13-5.
The shine of the early season has worn off. Let’s face it, it was hard to sustain. Injuries, international call-ups, stomach illness and fatigue from playing so many games have taken a toll on the Whitecaps. They now sit third in the Western Conference with an 11-5-5 record. Vancouver is two points behind second-place Minnesota United and four points behind first-place San Diego FC. The Whitecaps have a game in hand on both of these teams. Vancouver now sits eighth in the Supporters Shield race.
They have won three out of their last seven games in all competitions since losing the CONCACAF Champions Cup final 5-0 to Cruz Azul on June 1.
So Whitecaps fans are mostly feeling like this: Oh no, we suck again!
Fortunately, captain Ryan Gauld is training and a return seems to be close. However, there is no timeline yet. Winger Ali Ahmed also seems to be getting closer to a return as well.
Of course, there is the transfer window. The Whitecaps have the chance to bring in some reinforcements to help them challenge for the Supporters Shield and go on a deep run in the playoffs. But they are on the verge of losing one of their key players.
Adios Pedro Vite
Midfielder Pedro Vite has been linked to numerous European clubs for the last few months. The Ecuadorian international’s contract was expiring at the end of this year.
But it looks like Vite is heading to Mexico. Transfermarkt’s Manuel Veth first reported Vite being linked to Pumas and reported on Monday afternoon, that a deal is close. Veth also reported that Vite signed a new contract until 2029 with Vancouver. But with him leaving, it could mean a significant fee for the Whitecaps. Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport reported on Tuesday morning that a verbal agreement has been reached between Pumas and the Whitecaps and a deal isn’t done, but seems inevitable.
To add more fuel to the speculation, Vite was seen on Robson Street on Monday with suitcases.
Vite’s passing and creativity are going to be sorely missed. He did not train on Monday and will not travel to Houston and San Diego with the Whitecaps.
“We have received an offer today that we are at least considering,” said Whitecaps sporting director and CEO Axel Schuster to reporters following training on Monday per Whitecaps club reporter Sarita Patel. “He obviously also got this offer for himself and he needs to think it through.”
Losing Vite is going to hurt and it is a shame he won’t finish the season in Vancouver. But this also presents a big opportunity for Schuster and the Whitecaps. As the old saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining.
Whitecaps need reinforcements…
At the time of this writing, the fee for Vite from Pumas is unknown. However, Schuster didn’t say much about it on Monday but is confident they plan to use it once the summer transfer window opens on July 24.
“It’s good enough to replace him,” said Schuster per Har Johal of Daily Hive. “It is enough to spend on various players.”
By the sound of that, it looks like Schuster and the recruitment staff have a shortlist of targets already.
“The names are coming,” he said.
One of the names the Whitecaps have been linked to is Peter Stanic. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder plays for TSC in the Serbian SuperLiga. The Serbian scored eight goals and tallied six assists in 33 matches this past season as TSC finished seventh.
His underlying numbers are also very good and he has a similar profile to Vite. Stanic is a good ball carrier and passer.
“He’s linked to us, and it doesn’t make sense not to confirm that,” said Schuster when asked about Stanic. “We have been in talks with him because I was there, I was seen and people have reported that I was there. I would say there is nothing to update as of now…He’s definitely one of the targets we have. He will also cost some money, and we have to see that in the whole context of what happens with Pedro, then we will see.”
Another name Vancouver has been linked to is Dominik Fitz, who plays for Austria Wien in the Austrian Bundesliga. The Whitecaps seemed to close on signing him earlier this year but the deal collapsed in March according to Bogert.
Fitz has expressed interest in playing in MLS. The 26-year-old Austrian is an attacking midfielder but can also play as a left winger or striker.
Fitz has similarities to Vite and Gauld. He is a technically skilled player who is creative, can make deep passes and can score. With Austria Wien last season, he scored 12 goals and managed 12 assists. He led the Austrian Bundesliga in assists and goal contributions as Wien finished third.
While it has been rumoured that the Whitecaps were close to signing Fitz, Schuster denied that the club has been interested.
“No conversations with him at all,” he said.
…But it seems they are closing in on one already
It turns out, the transfer dominoes have already been starting to fall.
According to Peruvian reporter David Chavez, the Whitecaps are reportedly close to a deal with Peruvian midfielder Kenji Cabrera. The 22-year-old plays for Peruvian side FCB Melgar. Cabrera was born in Japan to a Peruvian father and a Japanese mother but moved with his parents to Peru at a young age. Despite holding dual citizenship from Japan and Peru, Cabrera has represented Peru at the Under-20 level. Veth has also confirmed that talks between Cabrera and the Whitecaps are in the advanced stages.
Cabrera managed to score six goals and tally two assists in 16 appearances for Melgar in Peru’s Liga 1. He is naturally a left-winger but can also play as an attacking midfielder.
According to a scouting report by Jamie Ramia of Target Scouting, Cabrera has solid technical skills and his best attribute is his strength, which is due to his powerful lower body. While he can be defensively passive, he maintains good positioning and anticipation. When being played as an attacking midfielder, Cabrera’s lower body is put to good use as he is known for making interceptions. The Whitecaps play a system where counter-pressing and winning the ball back are important, and Cabrera’s profile suits them. In terms of attacking, Ramia writes that Cabrera’s passes are precise and is good at set-pieces.
It looks like Cabrera will occupy a U22 spot and he could be the Vite replacement. He is still young and there is lots of room for growth.
What else do the Whitecaps need?
Given what Schuster has said, Cabrera doesn’t seem to be the only signing. It is possible that another midfielder could come in. Would that be Stanic, Fitz, both or someone else? That remains to be seen.
However, there are other areas where the Whitecaps need help. There is a glaring hole at left-back. Tate Johnson has done well this season, but the 20-year-old can do it by himself. Sam Adekugbe’s season-ending Achilles tear makes a new left-back essential. The ideal profile is someone who can overlap with Gauld, once he’s healthy, much like Adekugbe does.
Another centre-back would be nice too. Ranko Veselinovic and Tristan Blackmon have been formidable for most parts of this season. Bjorn Inge Utvik and Belal Halbouni also provide depth. However, Halbouni has only played 287 minutes in seven matches across all competitions and Utvik has dealt with illness, injuries and inconsistency. Both deserve more game time but another centre-back would take more relief off Veselinovic and Blackmon and add more depth in case of more injuries.
This transfer window is the most important in the Whitecaps MLS era. With Vite going out, this is a huge opportunity to show the club is serious and go all-in. With the club stumbling over the past month and a half, more signings could get them back on track.
If the Whitecaps want to prove they are Supporters Shield and MLS Cup contenders, they need to go all-in. Sure, it could take time for new signings to get up to speed but this season is their biggest chance to win major trophies with this current core.
Vite leaving and this transfer window could either send the Whitecaps back into the abyss or take them to new heights.
