Hello!

Well that wasn’t an ideal approach to the week from the ‘Caps. Sure it was nice to see them absolutely handle the LA Galaxy on Wednesday, but man was it frustrating to see them absolutely stumble against Austin FC on Sunday.

Going into tonight’s must-win match against CF Montreal at Stade Saputo (a 4pm PT kickoff watchable on either OneSoccer or TSN), I’m a little concerned as to which side we’ll see take the pitch. Will it be the agitated side looking to prove a point as they did against the Galaxy, or will it be the one that thought an easy opponent didn’t require full attention for a full 90 minutes?

Really hoping it’s the prove-a-point version.

The View

After watching the Whitecaps FC fall to St. Louis the Saturday previous, I suggested the ‘Caps would come out and set the tone early against the Galaxy.

Apparently I might know a few things after all, eh?

Only six minutes into the match we saw some of the best distribution and setup to push up the field from the ‘Caps all season, and were quite unfortunate to not see joy from the resulting Brian White shot as he was sent in alone.

But only two minutes later, and three two touches off a quick throw-in from Ryan Gauld to Thomas Müller to White, the ‘Caps got that early lead the needed.

Consider the tone set. Or so we thought.

While the Whitecaps FC continued to play with pace and aggression, that early goal seemed to wake the Galaxy up somewhat and required some early bend-but-don’t-break play from the backline - something we’ve seen a little too much of. Thankfully it didn’t cost the ‘Caps in this match, but hold that thought for a moment.

We also saw the premature departure of Müller after he took a knee to his hamstring, resulting in “dead leg” according to Jesper Sørensen post-match (can’t imagine dead legs are good).

Guess we have to appreciate the good things while we can in Vancouver.

Regardless, instead of coming out into the second looking to park the bus Vancouver came out in the drivers seat of said bus and decided the better approach was to run the Galaxy down.

The resulting 3-0 final tally really doesn’t do justice to the performance we received from the ‘Caps in the second, only getting goals from Gauld shortly after the half started and another off a PK from Bruno Caicedo at the death (if you haven’t seen the PK, you really should watch it).

The Whitecaps FC were back baby and with Austin coming into town, with an opportunity to gain points on Nashville who lost in Toronto, we were about to have an absolute party.

Or not.

Prior to the match I had the pleasure of talking to a long-time Whitecaps FC supporter while we waited in line for the gates to open. And while our conversation meandered from stadium security, to the pre-match plaza entertainment, she soon shared how excited she was for Vancouver to take the next step against Austin.

Me, being the long-suffering Vancouver sports fan I am, suggested this match could be one of those that trips a good side up. And her, being more pragmatic told me I need not worry. This Vancouver team was not like the ones of old.

And she looked to be back on in her assessment early on. From White nearly getting sent in alone off the opening whistle, to Andrés Cubas (of all people) playing a little two-touch in the Austin penalty area and being robbed of a sure goal, the ‘Caps looked like the team that played Wednesday night.

Until the defense took “a moment of dumb” at the 28’ mark and allowed Austin FC their only real opportunity of the half up the pitch. Oh and a allowed them to score on said opportunity to take a 1-nil.

Ain’t nothing like a little early adversity to get the home supporters unsettled.

But much like we’ve seen from the ‘Caps over the past season and a half, they took that early adversity and funneled it into their play - winning a PK shout late in the first half and hopefully a chance to draw things up.

With current taker of all PKs Müller not dressed due to his dead leg (seriously, do dead legs reincarnate?!), the usually unflappable Gauld stepped up to take it and did what needed to do - kick the ball with conviction and beat the goalkeeper while at it.

The problem is he missed that additional step of getting it into the back of the net and blasted it off the crossbar.

Oof.

After Jesper inspired the home side at half-time (or dressed them down for losing focus for that one moment), the ‘Caps came out firing on all cylinders to start the second-half and honest-to-goodness it felt like it was a matter of time before the match would be tied.

That matter of time? Four minutes.

Goal-scoring machine White levelled things up off a great couple of touches from Cubas and Gauld.

We’re back baby.

And then only minutes later, another glorious chance from Gauld - and off the crossbar it goes.

No need to worry though, this Vancouver side had an approach that was working and would see it through. Goals were sure to come.

And a goal did come only ten-ish minutes after the White. Just for Austin FC off another defensive lapse from the Whitecaps (arguably they had three all match, two of which resulted in goals).

2-1 Austin. Consider bus parked.

The remainder of the match was frustrating on a number of levels.

Vancouver seemed to have issues getting the ball into dangerous areas in front of the Austin net. Anytime Austin had the ball defensively under pressure, they went to ground resulting in referee Victor Rivas blowing the whistle he found at halftime. Every chance there was to slow play down, Austin took it. And what few opportunities the Whitecaps possessed late, they squandered.

It was rough.

I’m not certain that losing 2-1 to Austin here at home is any sort of good. And arguably, having called the match the week earlier the worst of the season, this one took that crown handily.

Vancouver, simply put, lacked the special stuff.

And that has me concerned, not only going into the must-win match tonight but with the match in Salt Lake this weekend.

The Good

• Emmanuel Sabbi, then Bruno Caicedo. As all the readers know, I’m a big fan of Bruno. Yet it’s very clear to me that he thrives as a second-half substitute after Sabbi has beaten the opposition down. And sure Sabbi has moments of frustration when he boots the ball into the suburbs, it’s more than Bruno is able to do when the defense is still fresh.

The Not So Good

• The Vancouver Whitecaps FC Defense. Consider me concerned that we are continuing to see the entire backline have moments where they seemingly shut down and reboot themselves. Say all you want about the officiating on the weekend, the two Austin goals were from the direct result of the Whitecaps forgetting how to defend.

A few of you have probably heard me describe myself as the ideator of many projects, but the seer-of-things-through not. I’ve spun up many different things to funnel some of my creative through - this newsletter being one of them - yet see the two seconds of hyper-focused drive dissipate soon after.

Well, it seems I’ve spent one of those two seconds on something new as I’ve launched a new almost daily podcast, Whims.

While the podcast will simply be a micro-format conduit (think five minutes or so on a somewhat daily basis) to rant, rave, and ramble, I’m hoping to make it a tangible thing that gets a second second and quite possibly a third.

I’d also be tickled pink if you’ve made it this far and decide to give it a listen, or even tickled pinker if you happen to subscribe.

And yes, the title is representative of the fact I launched it yesterday on a whim. 😆