Hello!

Things will look a bit different this week. And maybe next week too.

As some of you already know, I suffered a concussion after “playing a game of head vs. wall” last Thursday. While it was scary as all heck when it happened, I’ve been seen but a doctor in the ER and had a call with my family doctor today and things are looking better than my wall currently is.

But I’m still living with the concussion itself and things are a bit foggy. In fact, it’s taken me far too long just to type this as my brain doesn’t seem to have the power to “brain” all that effectively right now.

But that should be no surprise to the eagle-eyed readers of this newsletter who caught my slip after week one. You know, the one where I referred to FC Dallas when it was Real Salt Lake in town. Thanks to everyone who emailed me to keep me honest.

Anywho, this edition will be shorter than the usual regular season fare. And if my symptoms don’t improve, there’s a good chance next week might be shorter too.

Hopefully the fog lifts and I’m back to my vibin’ self in short order.

The View

Two matches. Two wins.

Can’t really complain about that kind of week.

Sure it took a spell for the Whitecaps FC to finally capitalize against Cartaginés, despite carrying the bulk of possession and play.

And yes there were moments in the second half against Toronto FC where the Whitecaps chose to play a little fast & loose, but one must forgive them for that as they built up a solid 3-0 lead into half-time.

So instead of digging around for complaints, lets focus on the good we saw in each match.

Like Jeevan Badwal.

If you hadn’t noticed, the kid has taken a step.

Whether this is due to making the most the opportunities that continually get presented to him, or the wisdom that’s been shared with him by elder statesman Thomas Müller, or the stash of Super Socco (the real ones know Super Socco) he stumbled upon, Jeevan has been playing with some serious jam these past few matches.

And how about Yohei Takaoka?

Four matches, four clean sheets. Tidy bit of business if you ask me. Yet it was the handful of outstanding saves he made against TFC that have me most excited. Yohei is back to form, and so long as he doesn’t get too overconfident handling that ball (which he sorta did against Real Salt Lake), I’ve got no worries in net.

And it isn’t a From 231 newsletter if we don’t talk about the calm, cool, collected play from the best centre back we know now we have - Ralph Priso.

One has to think that Ranko Veselinović, once healthy, slots back in beside Tristan Blackmon. But with the consistently smart play we’ve seen from Ralph in his stead, I’m perfectly fine with Ranko taking all the time he needs to get match fit.

The Good

• Tristan Blackmon’s new deal. As rumoured last week, Tristan is now locked down through 2030. Huzzah!

The Not So Good

• Concussions.

With the Whitecaps FC on the road down in Portland this weekend, I genuinely wonder if they can keep this fanciful trend up where they improve their result by one goal each week - while keeping a clean sheet streak going for Yohei.

Unlikely, I know.

But a man can dream, can’t he?!