Issue #28 - Four. In. A. Row!
We're celebrating Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Canadian Championship win, unexpected results and performances, and Gauld's return!
Hello!
After I shared some thoughts last week, I came to realize the one thought I forgot to share - this weeks issue was going to be delayed until AFTER the Canadian Championship.
So many apologies for the continued inconsistency.
But if you somehow missed the news from last night, your Vancouver Whitecaps FC have won the Canadian Championship four straight years!
Thomas Müller is the most decorated German footballer.
And Ryan Gauld not only returned to the pitch, but scored his first in a long while soon after.
What a time to be a supporter, eh?!
The View
In the spell and a half since we last spoke, the Whitecaps FC have continued to do what they’ve done all season - find results despite incredible difficult odds.
Sure the actual odds have suggested they’ve been the favourite in every match they’ve played, but things got so dire on the backline that Ralph Priso was pressed into action as a starting CB.
Those are definitely dire times by any standard.
Yet we have to consider how it came to be that Ralph got to play the role of the sleeper CB the ‘Caps have been sitting on all season.
I don’t think anyone can argue the Whitecaps FC put forth one of their worst first halves of the season against the Timbers last week.
Portland absolute tore apart the Vancouver defense.
And beside an absolute strike from Kamal Miller, took only one goal out of it.
While Vancouver settled down in the second half, they didn’t equalize until Brian White - fresh off the bench having returned from injury - notched a goal to level things at one a piece.
In the aftermath of the match, we learned that both Édier Ocampo and Andrés Cubas would miss the Saturday match against Seattle. And as we’d learn on Saturday, Belal Halbouni picked up a knock early against Portland and would miss the trip down Highway 99 (yes, it’s also the I-5… but I’m Canadian).
Ralph Priso, you’re up.
As many of you know, I’ve been up and down on Ralph all season long. When he comes off the bench to settle matches down, the kid does well. When he finds himself in the starting XI… well… maybe not the same.
And here he was filling in for an injured Ranko, Tristan, and Belal.
Oh boy.
The thing is, Ralph did well. He did very well.
Sure he had moments where he got caught. And sure one can probably suggest he could’ve done better on the first Sounders goal, but hot damn… did he do awesome when he stole an outright goal of a late Sounders set piece.
Good on him.
We also saw Brian White do his thing off the bench, notching a goal to get the Whitecaps going, only to see Seattle come back with two of their own.
Which brings me to the substitution of the starting Thomas Müller with the ‘Caps down a goal.
Why pull Muller at 60 mins when the Caps needed a goal?
Surely he was the best option.
My father-in-law
While I found the substitution puzzling in the moment, it’s what happened to Brian White later in the match that gave me some clarity.
While Müller returned to the starting XI against Seattle, he’d been out with an adductor strain previously. So as is the usual practice, players returning from injury usually play reduced minutes to avoid further injury - the sub was simply of an abundance of caution.
Yet as the soccer Gods showed us, you can only do so much to ease a player back into action when White went down with a non-contact injury - something that kept him out of the Canadian Championship last night.
And apparently it was Sebastian Berhalter, who came in for Müller, who was the key to tying things up at two with an absolutely stellar kick from the corner and a beauty header from Mathías Laborda.
I should never doubt Jesper.
And that brings us to the match against Vancouver FC last night.
Was I ever worried that Vancouver FC could achieve the upset? No. Was I ever worried they’d make it much more interesting than it should have been? Yes.
It was clear as day who the stronger team on the pitch was. While Sørensen heavily rotated his side throughout the early rounds of the Championship, he started the best side available last night (with slight adjustments due to Canadian player ratio requirements).
Ali Ahmed set the tone early with a goal 5’ into the match. Five minutes after that, Müller added a second off a penalty. And had it not been for the Vancouver FC woodwork, the ‘Caps could’ve been up 4 before the half was over.
But they weren’t.
And when Thierno Bah (this kid looked really good) scored off a beautiful touch from former ‘Cap Nicolas Mezquida, I might have sat up a little straighter.
For only a moment.
A brief moment.
Because Ali Ahmed understood what happens when you give a lesser side some hope.
And notched his second of the match.
Vancouver FC did get brief glimpses as the match progressed, including a late goal from Mezquida, but it was clear this night belonged to the Whitecaps.
And when it was all said and done, Ryan Gauld was back on the pitch in uniform lifting up the Voyageurs Cup!
The Good
Ralph Priso. The kid was put into a tough position and acquitted himself well. Maybe I’m pumping his tires a bit by suggesting he’s the sleeper CB we didn’t know the Whitecaps had, but he stepped in and delivered some tidy work.
Ali Ahmed. Gosh am I going to miss the kid next season when he gets transferred somewhere else…
The return of Ryan Gauld. Longest two weeks ever.
The Not So Good
The loss of Brian White. Someone seriously needs to sacrifice a Japadog to the soccer Gods or something at this point. Heck, sacrifice a Japadog stand if it’s needed.
Around the Pitch
I just want to briefly thank all of you who reached out last week.
While I didn’t have a chance to reply to everyone, I read every message and suggestion you sent my way and appreciated it all.
I didn’t dream of this newsletter being more than a creative outlet, and only pulled the trigger when my father-in-law said he’s subscribe.
Yet here you all are, a fantastic group of Whitecaps FC supporters, supporting another who’s having some fun sharing his thoughts and vibes.
Y’all the frickin’ best!
With only three matches left in the MLS regular season, it’s like the Whitecaps are simply playing for best in the West at this point.
Sure they might have a slim chance of winning the Supporters Shield, but realistically that’s Philadelphia’s shield to lose.
But best in the West is still a solid prize. And I’m all for it!
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)