Issue #27 - Challenger Deep Depth?
Dishing on Whitecaps FC depth amidst injuries, game recaps, upcoming challenges, and plans to enhance the newsletter!
Hello!
It’s Whitecaps FC match day! Are you excited?
But that also means it’s Wednesday, which means this newsletter is arriving a day late. Again. Like again again.
Despite dealing with a bunch of key injuries, the Whitecaps FC continue to persevere as their depth of squad seems to have no end.
Yet this newsletter is as deep as me (literally and figuratively), so when life gets busy, the hours and days seem to run away from me.
I’m going to drop a "State of the Newsletter” down below in Around the Pitch, just to fill you in on a few thoughts and updates. And hopefully shed some light on my what’s been going on and my vision moving forward (on that note, it’s possible it gets cut off in your inbox - you can read the full post on the website).
But before that, let’s relive the glory that is Whitecaps FC - correction… the playoff-clinched Whitecaps FC!
The View
Was I worried going into the second leg of the Canadian Championship? Maybe. Just a bit.
It’s not that I thought Forge FC to be the better side, but I knew the Whitecaps FC would likely play a rotated lineup on top of being shorthanded.
Thankfully it didn’t take long for those worries to subside after a BIG save from Isaac Boehmer and an early goal from Tristan Blackmon.
Yet I felt even better when J.C. Ngando scored to put the ‘Caps up two, and was outright ecstatic when Sebastian Berhalter scored from the spot early in the second (honourable mention to Jayden Nelson for his goal late).
The thing is, that injury to Blackmon late in the match really took the buzz out of a stellar performance. While not as catastrophic as it could’ve been (apparently an MCL strain and not a tear), it further impacts an already depleted Vancouver backline.
One that had a match away in Kansas City on Saturday.
Oh, and one that Thomas Müller didn’t dress for due to an adductor strain. Because why not at this point?!
The title of this issue is Challenger Deep Depth. For those in the know, the Challenger Deep is an oceanic trench and the deepest known point on Earth’s seabed.
It’s deep.
With the Whitecaps FC dealing with - by last count - injuries to six of their Starting XI, and injuries to two of their replacements, a number of us had serious questions as to the limit of the depth of the squad.
Maybe they could hold on for a draw in KC, right?
Wrong.
Draws are for suckers.
Wins are for teams with bench depth for days.
Like Vancouver.
Édier Ocampo gave notice early that he didn’t think much of my concerns with a great run and early goal to set the tone.
Kenji Cabrera - the Pedro Vite replacement - found himself in a starting role and played with confidence and pace, notching his first as a Whitecap.
Mathías Laborda & Belal Halbouni - filling in for injured starting CBs Ranko Veselinović & Tristan Blackmon - looked completely at ease and in control in the backline.
Ain’t no way I would’ve committed to a two-nil victory over Sporting KC going into the match, but I ain’t going to be too upset by the result.
But boy oh boy is the bench going to be leaned on heavily tonight against Portland.
Both Andres Cubas & Ocampo will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation. While there’s a couple options to cover for Cubas, I’m genuinely curious what Jesper will do to fill in for Ocampo.
The good news?
Brian White could be back in action.
The Good
- Ali Ahmed. This young player, having started slow and caught behind depth at the start of the season, has really answered the questions asked of him this season. It’s really going to be shame to see him depart next season (you have to think he gets significant European attention).
The Not So Good
- Injuries. Do I really need to say more?!
Around the Pitch
From 231, was originally to be a podcast.
I currently co-host the longest-running Vancouver Canucks podcast. I used to co-host a podcast covering a Vancouver esports team. And I even co-hosted a podcast where two nerdy Dads talked nerdy Dad stuff.
The Canucks one is still active. The Nerdy Dad one is in stasis (would love to start it again, but… I’m busy). The esports one is done.
But if one thing should be taking from this, podcasting is my jam.
So why pivot into a newsletter?
When I stumbled across an post discussing how “easy” it was to launch a newsletter, I figured I could do “easy” and pulled the trigger. Podcasts required time. How much time would a newsletter really need?
Apparently more than I thought. Not as much as recording & producing a podcast mind you, but more than the “hour or so” I thought.
I don’t know if I’ll ever truly find the time to make this all fit into place, but I do have some ideas.
So here’s a few thoughts for the remainder of this season and beyond:
- More Consistency. I launched this newsletter with the intention that it arrived to your inbox at Noon on Tuesdays. This is still my goal. And I also want the actual content to be consistent. So to help with both of those…
- More Vibes. You’ve likely noticed over the season I’ve shifted my post-match focus from a full-ish recap to a few themes I’ve noticed. This was intentional as I found myself spending more time taking notes that enjoying the match I was watching. From 231 was never meant to be a chore, so I hope you understand my desire to “unleash the vibes.”
- More Guest Writers. You can’t begin to understand how appreciative I’ve been of those of you who’ve filled in for me over the season. Whether it’s a regular piece, or a rotation of writers, having more than just me would add a little depth.
The first two are all on me. The second is where I need a little help from my friends.
If you think you're game to help contribute, please let me know. It could be a semi-regular piece (your own segment so-to-speak), an occasional post, or being part of the rotation. I'm open to any and all ideas.
You'll notice with my earlier reference to my podcasts that while I started each one, I've never positioned myself as the only voice. Each one was made better by the people I created content with, and in all honesty, they were the ones who brought the magic. I simply pressed record.
So if writing about the latest vibes of the Whitecaps FC or simply talking about the team you love (or sometimes hate) to support is your jam, let's do it together!
As I pen this, the Whitecaps FC are locked in for the MLS postseason. And there is the possibility that after tonight, the Whitecaps FC are locked in to the top half of the West Conference playoff picture.
There’s also a chance the ‘Caps will still have control over their goal of a Supporters Shield.
Crazy, eh?!
From my seat to your browser!
If you enjoyed this, please consider sharing on social media or forwarding it to someone that you think would love it just as much! ❤️
-Chris (@lyteforce.ca)