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Ryan Gauld

First Team Photo of 2022
Vancouver Whitecaps

Whitecaps Suffer Tough Loss in Season Opener

by Michael Martinez
written by Michael Martinez

It’s finally here! The 2022 season is upon us, and everyone at CascadiaSN is pumped for the new season. The first 34 game grind to reach a chance at glory. On a gloomy Ohio Saturday afternoon, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Columbus Crew took to the pitch to begin their 2022 campaigns. All of the storylines from the past four months were about to be put to the test.

Lineups:

Vancouver Whitecaps: 3-1-4-2

Columbus Crew: 4-2-3-1

Match Report

Early on, the Crew would nearly get off to a scary start right away, as their dangerman, Lucas Zelarayan, found some space at the edge of the box after a sloppy Whitecaps turnover in the 3rd minute, and he nearly made them pay for it. However, the Argentine sent his shot just over the mark. Right after, Zelarayan continued his strong start into the 5th minute, as he did well to find Milos Degenek off of a corner, and the big Australian got a firm header off, sending his shot just wide.

It started in a fashion fit for an MLS season opener. No more than eight minutes in, Miguel Berry found himself on the edge of the box, being man marked by Nerwinski. Able to create a slight separation, the Spaniard fired a right-footed effort goalwards. However, after a slight deflection from Nerwinski, the ball thanks to the face of Veselinovic. The change of direction left Thomas Hasal a half step behind where he needed to be, and the Crew and an early lead.

Columbus created several quality chances in the first half, testing Hasal from all angles. However, they could beat the young Canadian keeper for the second time in the 25th. A lovely cross-field pass from Yeboah found Etienne in plenty of space striding into the Vancouver penalty area. However, a lack of communication between Brown and Veselinovic allowed Etienne to stroll in, take his time and finish off the chance with a goal.

Vancouver could produce nothing more than several half-chances against the run of play. There was a lack of structure on defense and an inability to string multiple passes together in the midfield. Nothing was falling Vancouver’s way in the opening 45. The team was still in preseason form, and it showed. It was interesting to see how they would react to their slow start. It didn’t help that the Crew came out flying in front of their home fans, but there was no doubt that the Whitecaps could’ve offered far more resistance.

Whitecaps Wingback, Brown, battles for a 50/50 ball

Image via Whitecaps FC Twitter

Second Half

The second half showed the same trends for the visitors, starting with a player ejection. Then, Jake Nerwinski picked up his second yellow card after bringing down Etienne’s streaking in the 53rd minute. But, to be fair, it was a soft foul at best. After that, the momentum shifted right back to Columbus, who started to push back, and they’d nearly come close to finding the net on a few occasions.

A poorly taken quick Vancouver free-kick led to a fast break for the home side. After having the ball fall to his feet, Gyasi Zardes played it over to Luis Diaz, who roofed the ball over a sprawling Hasal and into the net for a Columbus third in the 84th. 

Two minutes later, Zelarayan added his name to the score sheet with a deserved goal from the Argentinian. A scramble in the Vancouver penalty box left Zelarayan alone and in space. A well-taken finish to close out the contest.

Post Match Thoughts

It was far from an ideal start for Vanni Sartini’s tenure in Vancouver. Conceding four, having a player receive his first career red card, minimal success from set-pieces. Yet, after a solid end to last season, one that saw them ride a solid second half of the campaign to a surprise playoff berth, their first such qualification in four years, the Whitecaps had high expectations heading into this year.

Because of that, it makes this result quite a disappointment. After looking like one of the more dynamic teams in the league during the second half of the 2021 season, the Whitecaps looked a lot more like the unit among the worst in the league.

Of course, it was always tough to win in Columbus away, but they certainly needed to be a lot better even to have a chance, as they were just second-best too often on the afternoon. A game to forget for Sartini’s men.

“We made a lot of mistakes,” Sartini said. “And I think when we were trying to press them we were always one or two seconds late, and it was easy for them to play through us.”

“It’s a wake-up call,” Sartini said. “It’s a wake-up call that our level needs to be better, and we really need to be more humble and hungry (going forward).”

It will have to be a quick turnaround, as Vancouver will be welcoming 2021 MLS Cup champions NYCFC to BC Place on Saturday, March 5th. The first five matches will be a tough test for the Whitecaps, so we’ll see if they can find some form and surprise everyone.

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Whitecaps DP Ryan Gauld after scoring against LAFC last season
Vancouver Whitecaps

Whitecaps Preseason Roster Moves

by Michael Martinez
written by Michael Martinez

We are just 22 days away from the start of the 2022 MLS season! The Whitecaps have been relatively busy in the transfer market, but not in the way you would think. So this is the first Transfer Talk post of the season with plenty more on the way. The first few will be old news, but I will continue to provide updates as the season goes on. 

Let’s dive in!

Key Club Departures

There had been a surprising amount of players leaving the club during this off-season. While I may not agree with a couple of them, ultimately, it’s what’s best for the club to move forward.

Andy Rose

Andy Rose started 53 of his 60 appearances in all competitions since signing with the club before the 2019 season while tallying three goals and three assists. Rose started all 21 appearances in his final year in Vancouver while also working as an assistant coach for the Whitecaps Academy U-19 team.

Rose has since announced his retirement from the beautiful game and will be joining the Seattle Sounders coaching staff. Having played for the Sounders from 2012- 2016, making 107 appearances across all competitions, it was natural that he would want to go back. 

Bruno Gaspar

In March of last year, Gaspar, 28, joined Whitecaps FC on a one-year loan from Portuguese first division side Sporting CP. The Angolan international made 12 starts in 18 appearances, including playoffs, recording a goal, and assisting the club.

Bruno was an integral part of the team towards the end of the season. He started nearly every match in the Whitecaps push for that final playoff spot. So it is a bit of a surprise the Whitecaps did not try to keep him at the end of the season. It ultimately came down to money and what Sporting CP wanted for him. 

Janio Bikel

Bikel started 39 of 46 appearances in 2020 and 2021, recording one goal and one assist. The native of Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, was purchased for $2.2 million in February of 2020. His current market value exceeds that.

He was a great player for the year that the Whitecaps had him. He was great in the MDS’s system but struggled with Sartini. As a result, he will be loaned to Serie B side LR Vicenza, with an option to buy. There can be no complaints if the Whitecaps can get a reasonable fee for him.

Theo Bair

Academy graduate Theo Bair has transferred to Scottish Premiership club St. Johnstone FC. The Whitecaps made the deal official on deadline day. Vancouver will receive $135,000 initially and retain 50% of the player’s rights. However, future add-ons could add up to around $470,000, which is Bair’s current market value. Bair moves to Scotland after spending last season with Norwegian second division side HamKam. 

Maxime Crepeau

The one that hurts the most, GK Maxime Crepeau, has gone off to conference rivals LAFC for $1 million in GAM. If particular performance metrics are met, whitecaps will also receive a first-round pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft and conditional GAM. In addition, the club will receive $250,000 in 2022 GAM, $250,000 in 2023 GAM, and $500,000 in GAM between 2023 and 2024 based on the player’s roster status. The Whitecaps will also retain a significant fee percentage if CrĂ©peau transfers abroad.

Many have speculated that he was unhappy here in Vancouver and was looking for a way out after their short playoff run. As the starting GK for the Canadian National Team, there were a lot of journalists, including myself, that expected him to move off to Europe. He may still do that after his stint at LAFC, but that remains to be seen. 

What to Expect in 2022

The Whitecaps may have lost five players and only added one, but that does not mean the team has weakened by any means. On the contrary, most of the starting XI is returning for this upcoming season. With the addition of Tristan Blackmon from LAFC, Sebastian Berhalter from Columbus, and players like Caio Alexandre and Pedro Vite coming back from injury/Visa issues, it will feel like we have four brand new signings.  

The Whitecaps could still be in the market for another GK, DM, and a proper striker, but no offers or concrete rumors as of right now. We will keep you updated if any news or stories regarding new players.

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Whitecaps DP Ryan Gauld takes a shot on goal.
Vancouver Whitecaps

Whitecaps Earn Three Points After Second Half Surge

by Michael Martinez
written by Michael Martinez

It was a tale of the two bottom teams as the Whitecaps took on Austin FC at Q2 Stadium on Wednesday. The Whitecaps have been on a run of matches where seven out of nine have ended in a draw. If you want to think even worse, they have only managed one win out of 14. 

The match certainly felt like they would be heading down that path again and nearly cementing themselves at the bottom of the West. Fans have become accustomed to leaving with only one point in hand. No one had any idea how this would turn out. 

This was not the case as the streak was broken!! The Whitecaps leave Austin with all three points giving them a little momentum before heading back home and playing their first match at BC Place.

Lineups:

Vancouver Whitecaps: 4-3-3

Austin FC: 4-3-3

Match Report

Whitecaps winger, Dajome, goes up for a 50/50 ball.

Image via Vancouver Whitecaps FC Twitter

“We believe here,” Whitecaps head coach, Marc Dos Santos, said after the game. “For us to be in the top 7, there are just games that we have to accept the challenge in games, and just go for it, and this was one of those games.”

It was a battle of the bottom dwellers. Because of that, both teams had a lot to prove. Right off the bat it looked as though both teams had a spark we hadn’t seen from either in a while. Both teams provided some great end-to-end action. The Whitecaps would get the first look after a rogue shot went just wide of the post. 

The first 30 minutes was just a back and forth battle of who could get down the pitch to get a shot off. The Whitecaps would show more promise with better chances. In the end, it would be Austin who would deliver the first blow in the 35th minute.

Coming off of a corner kick, Alexander Ring rose to a lovely curled ball in, looping a header into the back post to kickstart the proceedings. It was a well taken corner for Austin, who had certainly held their own through the first half. It was a tough blow for the Whitecaps who had some good chances to score before. 

There were a few chances for both teams after the initial goal, though neither side could open the game up more. The Whitecaps certainly felt like they missed an opportunity to take the lead early but that is just the story of the Whitecaps this season. Although, the second half was a different story. 

Ryan Gauld came on at the start of the second half and took the match by storm. The Whitecaps had a new offensive spark and it all started with our Scottish Messi. In all honesty, the match was not even close after he came on. 

He was immediately setting up chances for the attackers all over the pitch. Thanks to him, the best chance came at the 52nd minute. Gauld whipped in a beautiful corner kick to the back post. After an initial save by the keeper, the ball bounced to Jake Nerwinski who taps in the first goal for the Whitecaps. 

The goal was coming and it was just what the Whitecaps needed to ignite that spark. Ryan Gauld was just the piece that was missing in the first half. By the way the team had started the half, you knew that there would be a possibility of a comeback. Though soon after, Austin would find some life. 

In the 58th minute, Tomas Pochettino would find himself open in a pocket just outside of the box. Fortunately for the Whitecaps, he sailed his shot just wide of the post. Less than a minute later, Jon Gallagher found himself open for a freenheader. Given another lifeline, the Whitecaps see his chance go just wide. 

Austin would continue to lay down the pressure well into the 65th minute. It would be Pochettino again as he dispossessed Teibert in the Whitecaps midfield, launching an Austin counter-attack. He would take a shot from outside of the box, and of course, would once again sail wide. Despite all his strong showing, that seemed to be the theme of the night for the young Argentine.

Soon after it would be the Whitecaps turn to lay down the pressure. Thanks to that pressure, the Whitecaps would find their second of the night. After a perfect run in behind, Gauld would get the ball after a Caicedo through ball. After sliding the ball across the net, Gauld would find White sliding through for the go-ahead goal!

This goal would prove to be huge as not only did it give the Whitecaps the lead, it would also be Gauld’s first MLS assist. Brian White would also get the plaudits as he would break his goal drought. While it may have been a bit lucky, a goal is a goal. It must have felt like lifting a heavy weight off his back. 

It would not stop there either. While there may not have been any more goals, the Whitecaps did not sit back. Gauld continued his rampage through the Austin defense. In the 80th minute he snuck behind the backline again. Although this time he went for the shot. The Austin keeper did well to keep out to keep the Whitecaps’ lead at one. Right after on the subsequent corner, Gauld then whipped in another lovely ball. This time it would be the substitute Ricketts who couldn’t get good contact on the ball.

There were a couple chances for both teams near the end of the match. But ultimately, that would be the end of it. The Whitecaps would end their streak of draws and make it two wins in 15! Or winless in six, whichever way you try to spin it. It may not have been pretty but they were able to claw their way out. They showed exactly what they are capable of. At this point of the season, it’s all any fan can ask for.

Post Match Thoughts

It felt good to see the Whitecaps play an opponent off the pitch. Despite the match stats, I don’t think we’ve seen a Whitecaps team be that dominant in a long time. Maybe since before the MDS era. It was all the more impressive because it was on the road. While Austin are generally a bad team, roughly 52% of MLS games are won by the home team. 

Gauld was the deciding factor for this match. He was tied with DĂĄjome for most chances by a Whitecap. Which is pretty impressive considering he only came on at half time. Seeing somebody be involved in seven in one half felt kind of surreal. While it may not be a guarantee for every match, it certainly felt really great to see a Whitecaps player put the fear into an opponent again.

In front of their home fans for their first time in over a year, the Whitecaps will look to give their fans a homecoming to remember. After two short days, they will be taking on LAFC again. Except this time, it will be at home. This will be one of the most important matches of the season. Not only is it the first match in front of home fans, a result could propel the Whitecaps in the rankings. While the playoffs may be out of reach, it will certainly be fun to watch them try. 

 

The Whitecaps make their long-awaited return to BC Place on Saturday as they host LAFC. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT. live on TSN and ESPN+. 

 

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Whitecaps winger, Dajome getting a shot off on goal
Vancouver Whitecaps

Whitecaps and Earthquakes Give Fans A Quiet Evening With 0-0 Draw

by Michael Martinez
written by Michael Martinez

It’s not necessarily a step back, but it certainly was not a step forward. The Whitecaps took on the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday evening. Whitecaps, who have just one win in 14, were hoping this would be a kick off point to save the season. Alas, it was not meant to be as they picked up another draw this time ending in 0-0. 

Neither team looked to create much despite both being at the bottom of the league defensively. Both teams will look at it like two points lost as opposed to one point gained. Let’s dive right into the match. 

Lineups

Vancouver Whitecaps: 4-3-3

San Jose Earthquakes: 3-4-2-1

Match Review

I’m going to try something a little different this time around! Instead of giving the match stats, I’m going to go straight into the match review. If you readers would like me to include the stats going forward just let me know! 

Whitecaps midfielder, Teibert wrestling his way through two defenders

Image via Stan Szeto /USA TODAY Sports

“We always try to play for the three points,” head coach Marc Dos Santos said after the game. “There are some moments in the minutes 88 and 92 where we were pressing, we went for the three points.”“But again, when you don’t win, you don’t win.”

There seems to be a theme with this Whitecaps team. Always playing for all three points, but never able to finish it off in the end. Most matches they do just enough to stay in the match, but still don’t bring enough to push their opponents. 

The match kicked off on a rather quiet note for both teams. It seemed that neither team could break the other open. Although, five minutes in, Ryan Raposo had himself a cheeky dribble past the defender before setting up Brian White for an excellent chance on goal. White could not get his footing right and hit it right to the keeper. 

The Whitecaps kept the intensity up a little from there, but in the end both teams settled down more as the first half went on. At the 30th minute mark the Earthquakes had their best effort of the half thanks to an attempted volley from former Portland Timbers striker, Jeremy Ebodisse. Luciano Abecasis whipped in a lovely ball to the back post but big man Maxime Crepeau denied him the opportunity. 

As expected, based on the few chances either team had, the first half ends even at the break. Which is not surprising as both teams seemed content to end with a draw. Neither really played attractive football and because of that it made it borderline unwatchable. 

Not much happened until the 60th minute as Ebodisse found some room at the edge of the box and had a strong low driven shot which made Crepeau stretch to make a save and push the ball off the post and out. 

Not much else happened after that last chance for San Jose. While the game did open up when Dajome and Gauld arrived, their inclusion was more of a cautionary tale. It served as a reminder that Gauld alone, or any of the Whitecaps’ key players, are not going to be able to create a successful team on their own. They need the rest of the team to step up.

For the Whitecaps, it certainly doesn’t feel like a bad result per say. You can never complain about a road point but as a team who has struggled for more, you want all three points. Sitting last in the West, it’ll be hard for them to crawl out of this already big hole if they continue to dig it deeper. 

Post Match Thoughts

For a clash between 2 of the worst defensive teams in the league, one could expect some goals in this match but that unfortunately was not the case. Both teams share the spoils, and for the Whitecaps, they pick up their 4th clean sheet of the season.

That leaves the Whitecaps with 7 draws in their last 9 games now. Based on their play as of late, that shouldn’t be too surprising. The Earthquakes are in the same boat as now they have 6 in their last 8. Both sides have been struggling to put away matches and get all three points. It does explain their positions in the table.

Because of all that, it shouldn’t have been surprising to see both teams draw. With both sides just outside of the playoff picture right now, that’ll leave them to both rue what could’ve been, something they’ve both dealt with. For the Whitecaps’ sake, fans can only hope that turns around soon.

There is some good news coming! The Whitecaps are so close to finally heading  home and playing their first match at BC Place since last year. Missing players are slowly getting their names back into their squad, which along with the integration of some new faces, should give them a boost. Will it be enough to get them through this rut? Only time will tell. 

 

The Whitecaps have one more road match before they make their long-awaited return to BC Place. On Wednesday, they visit Austin FC for their first-ever meeting at Q2 Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. PT. live on TSN4/5 and ESPN+.

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Vancouver Whitecaps

Whitecaps Transfer Talk: “Scottish Messi” to Distract From Losing Streak

by Michael Martinez
written by Michael Martinez

It has been a long while but we are back with some new Whitecaps Transfer News! Hopefully this helps distract you fans away from the tough losses the team has endured as of late. 

We are going back to Portugal but this time it’s not with one of the bigger clubs. The Whitecaps’ constant struggle to find a #10 could finally be coming to an end with the “Scottish Messi”. The Whitecaps are interested in signing Scottish midfielder Ryan Gauld, who is currently playing with SC Farense in Portugal, according to a report from AFTN Vancouver.

Gauld joined SC Farense on a two-year contract in 2019. He scored nine goals and added seven assists in 33 matches last season. He was one of the few bright spots in what was an otherwise disappointing season for relegated Farense. Gauld has grown his market value significantly since joining the club from $660,000 in 2019 to $5.5 million. The Aberdeen native earned praise as one of the top playmakers in Liga NOS. 

According to Transfermarkt, Gauld’s transfer value is listed at $5.5 million. The rumored salary of $3 million per season would make Gauld the highest paid player in Whitecaps history. He would also be one of the top 10 highest paid players in Major League Soccer. 

The 25-year-old Scottsman would be exactly the kind of offensive playmaking threat the Whitecaps have been looking for. A creative attacking midfielder that can score goals while also distributing and setting up his teammates. Even though he was not Schuster’s number one choice, he would still be an excellent addition to this otherwise creativeless team. 

Gauld could be that missing link between the midfield and strikers. Our DP striker, Cavallini,  hasn’t been able to work with a playmaking option underneath him since arriving. His production shows that. We all know Cavallini can be a great striker, he just needs the service to prove that. 

The Whitecaps have yet to score a first half goal and are currently tied for the second worst goal difference. They sit second to bottom in the Western Conference at 2-6-1. The team needs something to turn it around. We are still early enough in the season but things need to change now. Hopefully the signing goes through and maybe we gain some hope. 

 

The Whitecaps take on the league leaders and Cascadia rivals, the Seattle Sounders, tomorrow evening in Seattle. Kick off is at 6pm PT and you can watch on TSN 1 or ESPN+.

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