The Vancouver Whitecaps made up for two sub-par games in 12 minutes Saturday.
Sebastian Fernandez scored the game’s lone goal in the 12th minute as the Caps down the MLS-leading Seattle Sounders 1-0.
Vancouver (6-3-7) ended a two-game winless while Seattle (11-4-2) suffered its first loss in four games.
But, as Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson indicated afterwards, the win was about more than three points in the standings. It was about belief – belief that the young Caps could compete with the best team in the league, even if it was missing five key players, including American international Clint Dempsey, to World Cup duty, yellow-card accumulation and injuries.
“The two halves were totally different,” Robinson said. “The first half, we were excellent in possession. Our passing movement was what I’ve been accustomed seeing in training (and) in the first 10, 12 games of the season – and the second half was just about all those things: grit, desire and heart.
“The reason I said Seattle are the best team in Major League Soccer before the game is because they hang in there even when things are going against them. They’re always there and they’re about, (despite) being one goal behind, and they’ve done that again today. We’ve gotta learn that as a young group. As I said to them, it’s not going to happen overnight. But with performances like this and learning situations like this, we’ll be better for it.”
With the win, the Caps also ended a two-game goal-less skid, after a 0-0 home draw with Montreal and a 2-0 loss in Colorado. Fernandez, a 24-year-old Uruguayan who is in his season with Vancouver, scored from about 30 yards out after taking a pass from Chilean midfield maestro Pedro Morales, who was at his sublime best.
"Pedro gave a good ball to me," the Spanish-speaking Fernandez said through an interpreter. "I turned with the ball and there was space. I've practised it in close. It was a good opportunity. I just tried to shoot."
But, ultimately, the game was about defence. While Seattle was missing Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, who shared fifth place in league scoring before Saturday’s games, the Caps were without (injured) top central defenders Jay DeMerit (ankle) and Andy O’Brien (hip).
However, Vancouver’s Johnny Leveron and Carlyle Mitchell delivered stellar performances in their place, while Steven Beitashour was his steady self at right back and Jordan Harvey stood out at left back with several blocked shots, tackles and interceptions.
"I think the guys were hungry," said Seattle midfielder Brad Evans of his team's effort. "It took us a little while to get in the game, and all it was in the first half was not holding the ball up front. It makes it difficult to play the way that we want to play, and get our forwards and outside wingers involved. It was a difficult day for us in the first 35-40 minutes. After that, I feel we settled in the second half, played much better challenging for balls.
"Obviously, the guys that were missing are game-changers, that’s why they’re (designated players) and that’s why they’ve played in World Cups and some of the biggest games. Obviously, you’re going to miss that quality, but that’s no excuse not to play your game and not to play the game the way it should be played. I thought that in the second half, we got a little ripping into and we came out much stronger."
After a dismal effort against Montreal in their last home contest, it looked like the Caps had consumed a steady diet of World Cup videos. The hosts’ passing was much more precise, particularly in the first half, and they played with a level of confidence at the back, sending the ball forward calmly so that Morales would work his major.
They also displayed a strong work ethic that will be critical heading into the second half of the season. With the one-month international transfer window opening Wednesday, changes are coming to Vancouver’s lineup, but moves – aside from expensive reserve midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker’s likely departure – will be kept to a minimum.
What you see of the club now is mostly what you’ll get, with the possible exception of a veteran world-class striker who can score consistently.
"If we’re going to go with a young group of players, which we are, then one thing we can’t do is let other teams outwork us,” Robinson said. “The youth and exuberance and enthusiasm that young players have (must) be infectious all over the pitch.”
They were were Saturday, and Vancouver’s belief was also evident in all parts of the field. But that confidence will need to be prevalent often if the Caps are going to qualify again for the playoffs after missing the post-season in 2013, because the core of players will not change drastically.
“Get used to watching the young players,” said Robinson.
Notes: Robinson praised Reo-Coker, who was steady as a second-half substitute in what might have been his final game with the Whitecaps. The former English Premier League star is being paid $400,000 this season, but he does not play enough to justify that salary.
Follow me on Twitter @montestewart
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Radim Vrbata looks foward to playing with Sedins
Radim Vrbata knows his life is about to become very different.
The new Vancouver Canucks winger is looking forward to playing in a hockey-mad Canadian market for the first time as an NHLer after signing as an unrestricted free agent following five seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes. He signed a two-year, $10-million deal as the Canucks continued a rapid rebuilding effort under their new regime.
"Obviously, it'll be a big change here, coming from Phoenix," he said on a conference call Thursday. "But I'll adjust. I just have to be myself."
By being himself, Vrbata, a 33-year-old Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic native, means that he must continue to score goals. He produced 20 goals and 31 assists in 2013-14 and has averaged 24 per season in his last six campaigns.
That goal average is not gaudy by any means, but it translates into scoring consistency in an era when snipers increasingly rare compared to decades gone by. Now, Vrbata must prove he can produce in a market where he will face much more media scrutiny and pressure than he did with the formerly struggling Coyotes franchise.
Vrbata described the chance to play in Canada as a dream come true, but said it was a "bonus" rather than a priority when he weighed offers from other clubs. He wanted to play for a good organization with good players.
The comment was applicable to both the Coyotes, who have had several challenges on and off the ice as well as a Canucks team that was comical, and often sad, under former coach John Tortorella and deposed general manager Mike Gillis last season.The Canucks missed the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons as Tortorella's antics (namely a suspension for trying to storm the Calgary Flames dressing room in January and several other questionable decisions) and the club's lack of depth (resulting from poor drafting and trades under Gillis) took their toll.
The juries (i.e. fans) are still out in both Phoenix and Vancouver, but Vrbata comment, and signing, are indications that the Canucks regaining some respectability under new president of hockey operations and general manager Jim Benning. Despite the fact that Linden and Gillis have not held the same posts with other NHL clubs, they have attracted top free agent talent in Vrbata and goaltender Ryan Miller and swung a Ryan Kesler trade to Anaheim that produced players (Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa) for today and draft picks for the future -- among other highlights.
The sixth-overall selection of Calgary Hitmen winger Jake Virtanen, a prototypical power forward, was also an excellent choice. (He should easily recover from off-season shoulder surgery.)
Vrbata is looking forward to playing with Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who should recover from an injury-plagued season in which they took on more defensive responsibilities than usual.
"If you play with the Sedins, you know you'll get your chances," he said.
Benning sidestepped the question of whether he promised Vrbata that he would have a chance to play with the Sedins, saying that decision was ultimately up to new coach Willie Desjardins. However, Benning noted that Vrbata's presence gives the Canucks the option of moving Alex Burrows, who enjoyed considerable success with the twins before he had a goal-starved, injury-plagued 2013-14 campaign, to the second line.
Burrows, he added, can make the second line better.
"Now, we have depth at the forward positions where everybody can contribute to the team," said Benning.
Ultimately, the games on the ice will prove him right or wrong. But he made a good point as the Canucks prepare to battle in an an ultra-competitive Western Conference..
Last season, it was telling that the Canucks never recovered when journeyman forward Mike Santorelli was sidelined for the duration of a career year (28 points in 49 games) with a shoulder injury. The Canucks, Benning acknowledged, chose Vrbata, who has 215 goals and 249 assists in 796 career regular-season games, because they felt he was a better scorer than the younger Santorelli, 28.
Benning also acknowledged that the Canucks came to terms with Vrbata on the second day of free agency after some other potential deals didn't work out when the frenzy began July 1 after new rules allowed negotiations to begin a few days in advance.
Vrbata, who has a young family, said it was hard it was hard to leave Phoenix, but it was evident that the chance to play with the Sedins was a key, if not determining factor, in his decision.
"I feel when you have chemistry with somebody, that helps so much today," he said.
Notes: Vrbata has also played for Colorado, Carolina, Chicago and Tampa Bay. ... Santorelli signed a one-year, $1.35-million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. ... Vrbata played junior in Canada, with Hull (now Gatineau) and Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. ... Now that Kesler has left, Vrbata has a chance to retain No. 17 in Vancouver after he wore the same number in Phoenix. Such a move would only heighten comparisons between the two forwards. ... Benning will concentrate on re-signing the team's restricted free agents, including defenceman Chris Tanev, this week and then see how much money he has left for more UFAs.
Follow me on Twitter @montestewart
The new Vancouver Canucks winger is looking forward to playing in a hockey-mad Canadian market for the first time as an NHLer after signing as an unrestricted free agent following five seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes. He signed a two-year, $10-million deal as the Canucks continued a rapid rebuilding effort under their new regime.
"Obviously, it'll be a big change here, coming from Phoenix," he said on a conference call Thursday. "But I'll adjust. I just have to be myself."
By being himself, Vrbata, a 33-year-old Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic native, means that he must continue to score goals. He produced 20 goals and 31 assists in 2013-14 and has averaged 24 per season in his last six campaigns.
That goal average is not gaudy by any means, but it translates into scoring consistency in an era when snipers increasingly rare compared to decades gone by. Now, Vrbata must prove he can produce in a market where he will face much more media scrutiny and pressure than he did with the formerly struggling Coyotes franchise.
Vrbata described the chance to play in Canada as a dream come true, but said it was a "bonus" rather than a priority when he weighed offers from other clubs. He wanted to play for a good organization with good players.
The comment was applicable to both the Coyotes, who have had several challenges on and off the ice as well as a Canucks team that was comical, and often sad, under former coach John Tortorella and deposed general manager Mike Gillis last season.The Canucks missed the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons as Tortorella's antics (namely a suspension for trying to storm the Calgary Flames dressing room in January and several other questionable decisions) and the club's lack of depth (resulting from poor drafting and trades under Gillis) took their toll.
"Now, we have depth at the forward positions where everybody can contribute to the team."
- Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning on the signing of free agent Radim Vrbata and other recent moves
The juries (i.e. fans) are still out in both Phoenix and Vancouver, but Vrbata comment, and signing, are indications that the Canucks regaining some respectability under new president of hockey operations and general manager Jim Benning. Despite the fact that Linden and Gillis have not held the same posts with other NHL clubs, they have attracted top free agent talent in Vrbata and goaltender Ryan Miller and swung a Ryan Kesler trade to Anaheim that produced players (Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa) for today and draft picks for the future -- among other highlights.
The sixth-overall selection of Calgary Hitmen winger Jake Virtanen, a prototypical power forward, was also an excellent choice. (He should easily recover from off-season shoulder surgery.)
Vrbata is looking forward to playing with Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who should recover from an injury-plagued season in which they took on more defensive responsibilities than usual.
"If you play with the Sedins, you know you'll get your chances," he said.
Benning sidestepped the question of whether he promised Vrbata that he would have a chance to play with the Sedins, saying that decision was ultimately up to new coach Willie Desjardins. However, Benning noted that Vrbata's presence gives the Canucks the option of moving Alex Burrows, who enjoyed considerable success with the twins before he had a goal-starved, injury-plagued 2013-14 campaign, to the second line.
Burrows, he added, can make the second line better.
"Now, we have depth at the forward positions where everybody can contribute to the team," said Benning.
"I feel when you have chemistry with somebody, that helps so much today."
- New Vancouver Canucks winger Radim Vrbata on the chance of playing with Daniel and Henrik Sedin
Ultimately, the games on the ice will prove him right or wrong. But he made a good point as the Canucks prepare to battle in an an ultra-competitive Western Conference..
Last season, it was telling that the Canucks never recovered when journeyman forward Mike Santorelli was sidelined for the duration of a career year (28 points in 49 games) with a shoulder injury. The Canucks, Benning acknowledged, chose Vrbata, who has 215 goals and 249 assists in 796 career regular-season games, because they felt he was a better scorer than the younger Santorelli, 28.
Benning also acknowledged that the Canucks came to terms with Vrbata on the second day of free agency after some other potential deals didn't work out when the frenzy began July 1 after new rules allowed negotiations to begin a few days in advance.
Vrbata, who has a young family, said it was hard it was hard to leave Phoenix, but it was evident that the chance to play with the Sedins was a key, if not determining factor, in his decision.
"I feel when you have chemistry with somebody, that helps so much today," he said.
Notes: Vrbata has also played for Colorado, Carolina, Chicago and Tampa Bay. ... Santorelli signed a one-year, $1.35-million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. ... Vrbata played junior in Canada, with Hull (now Gatineau) and Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. ... Now that Kesler has left, Vrbata has a chance to retain No. 17 in Vancouver after he wore the same number in Phoenix. Such a move would only heighten comparisons between the two forwards. ... Benning will concentrate on re-signing the team's restricted free agents, including defenceman Chris Tanev, this week and then see how much money he has left for more UFAs.
Follow me on Twitter @montestewart
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