The Vancouver Whitecaps are flying.
They are 3-0-0 in MLS and top the Western Conference. Writing that sentence makes it sound like a fever dream or something out of an EA FC or Football Manager. But no, this is real. The Whitecaps have been one of the best teams in the young MLS season.
The Whitecaps have looked like a breath of fresh air in Jesper Sorensen’s possession-based system. For the most part, they looked dangerous with the ball, the press has been great and the defensive structure has been solid.
Vancouver’s eight goals are second in MLS and they only conceded two goals, which is the fifth-best in the league. If you are fan of expected goals, well, you’ll be pretty happy.
It was a solid 2-0 win over CF Montreal over the weekend. But they had to persevere after losing Ryan Gauld to a left knee injury in the first half.
Gauld is out for a few weeks.
Sorenson was positive about Gauld after the game against Montreal.
“He was more positive after the game than he was in the break, so I hope that if five minutes can do so much, then I hope it will not be long,” he said.
On Monday morning, Whitecaps club reporter Sarita Patel provided an update on the team captain. A few weeks is better than a few months, especially since Gauld limped off the field and couldn’t put much weight on his leg. Every cloud has a silver lining.
With Gauld out, the Whitecaps’s depth is being tested. Right now, it is looking as thin as a stick. The only attackers that are healthy are Brian White, Damir Kreilach, Daniel Rios and Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau. Sam Adekugbe, Jayden Nelson and new signing Emmanuel Sabbi are out with injuries. However, it seems Nelson is the closest to returning as Sorensen stated that he will travel with the team to Mexico and Dallas.
Anyone who follows the Whitecaps knows Gauld is the team’s best player and one of the best in MLS. Losing him for a few weeks stings as Vancouver will miss his creativity and work rate.
Gauld missed some time with injuries last season. He injured his knee in a July game against the Houston Dynamo but only ended up missing Leagues Cup games and a friendly against Wrexham. Then, Gauld dealt with an internal ligament strain and missed crucial games in September and October. He did play the Canadian Championship final against Toronto FC and in a 1-0 loss to Minnesota United, but it was clear he wasn’t 100% in those games.
He did return on Decision Day against Real Salt Lake but there were bad losses to LAFC, the Seattle Sounders and a frustrating draw against the Portland Timbers which cost the Whitecaps valuable points during that stretch.
Since 2022, the Whitecaps have played 12 games since 2022 without The Flying Scotsman and only won three of them. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy number of games.
Tough Schedule
Up next is Monterrey in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 tie. They are tied 1-1 but Rayados have the lead thanks to away goals. The Whitecaps played really well in the first leg at BC Place and Gauld could’ve scored at least four or five.
But without their star, the ‘Caps have to go to Estadio Corona in Torreón. (The venue changed because Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA is booked for a Shakira concert) It’s going to be a tough game, especially since it is more than likely Sergio Ramos will play. Plus, the crowd and conditions in Mexico will be big tests for the Whitecaps to handle.
So it is time for other players to step up and so far, they have. In all competitions, the Whitecaps have eight different goal scorers. Unlikely names have appeared on the scoresheet, including Belal Halbouni in the first leg against Monterrey and young Tate Johnson against CF Montreal.
Players like Pedro Vite, Mathias Laborda and Sebastian Berhalter have stepped up with solid performances. However, they need players such as JC Ngando, (who has impressed too) Edier Ocampo, and Ali Ahmed to step up now with Gauld out. New signing Rios also has a chance to prove his worth.
After Monterrey, it is off to Dallas and then a week later, the Chicago Fire comes to BC Place. After that, it is away to Toronto FC, home to Colorado Rapids and Austin FC and away to Minnesota United and St. Louis City FC. Should, Vancouver get by Monterrey, the quarterfinal legs would be somewhere between April 1st and April 3rd for the first leg and then April 8th and 10th for the second leg. The Whitecaps would face Mexican side Pumas UNAM or Costa Rican side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, should they advance. Pumas is up 2-0 on aggregate in that tie.
The busy schedule isn’t helping the Whitecaps but as the old saying goes, it is what it is. Vancouver will be without Gauld for a few weeks and this stretch without him could determine if they are contenders or pretenders.
The transfer window is also open until April 23. Whitecaps sporting director and CEO Axel Schuster did say the club wants to sign two more players and is looking to strengthen the midfield in particular with one starter and one depth player. But Vancouver has gone with the U22 model with two Designated Players and four Under 22s instead of three DPs. With Gauld’s injury, a starting attack-minded midfielder is needed even more now.
