Every Thursday/Friday, Sportsnet.ca will chat with Sportsnet 650 radio commentator Dan Riccio about the big stories and issues surrounding the Vancouver Whitecaps.
SN: What did you make of Vancouver’s amazing come-from-behind win on the road last week against the San Jose Earthquakes?
RICCIO: That was the best 10 minutes of the season! Kidding aside, the Whitecaps have shown time and again that they have the offensive flair to keep up with almost any squad in MLS. They may not create as many chances as some other squads, but they finish at a very high rate. They are now up to 43 goals scored on the season – only six squads have more.
This is who the Whitecaps are. A team that struggles defensively, but can potentially outscore their opponents. It is not what most people perceive the Whitecaps to be, but now that we are 26 matches into the campaign, how can you argue otherwise? If Vancouver makes the playoffs, it will be because of its ability to score goals.
As great as the comeback was, how troubling was the opening 30 minutes from the Whitecaps?
The Earthquakes have been the worst team in MLS, and Vancouver needs points to sneak into the playoffs. I called this two-game series against San Jose a must win for the Whitecaps if they want to make the post-season, and to see a lack of urgency in those first 30 minutes was concerning.
Vancouver has little room for error in these final eight matches, given how the tightness of the playoff race in the Western Conference. Seattle has won seven in a row, as they are on their annual second-half push, leaving maybe one spot open for the Whitecaps in the West. The good news is they came back and collected all three points, but a loss in San Jose would have been seen as little more than complacency.
What does El Salvador centre back Roberto Dominguez, recently signed by the club, bring to the table for the Whitecaps?
The Whitecaps do this every so often, they bring in a player on a free transfer toward the end of the season and see if they have something in there. I think of it as a trial. Dominguez will get a chance to prove his worth and earn a bigger opportunity next year. The Whitecaps haven’t been able to settle their defence all season, so do I think there is enough time for Dominguez to drastically change that? No. It’s a lot to ask of a 21-year-old.
The most encouraging part of Dominguez’ profile is that he had over 100 appearances with El Salvador’s top team, Santa Tecla. That is a lot of matches for such a young player and signals to me that there is definite potential there. Only time will tell.
The Whitecaps are on a bit of an offensive tear, scoring 19 goals in their last eight games in all competitions. How do you account for this offensive outburst?
On offence, the Whitecaps have found the best version of themselves. A small switch Carl Robinson made a while back altered the look of the squad on the pitch slightly, but also changed the offensive capabilities by quite a bit. Yordy Reyna was pushed further up the field and closer to Kei Kamara. That was it. It gave the two strikers the ability to play off of each other more, and create more space as well.
While Reyna has had more output of late, it is Kamara that has been the true finisher that this squad needed. He has scored seven goals in his last ten matches. Alphonso Davies has continued to create chances at a high rate, and that makes this Whitecaps squad one of the better offensive teams in the league.
What stands out for you in Saturday’s return match at BC Place Stadium between the Whitecaps and Earthquakes?
This is another must win for the Whitecaps, especially at home where they haven’t been good enough to justify a playoff spot in the West. As I’ve mentioned in the past, the schedule gets extremely difficult for the Whitecaps from here on out. They need three points at home against the worst squad in MLS. It would also be nice to see a clean sheet. The Whitecaps have not been able to shut out their opponents in MLS play since March.
Be sure to listen to Dan Riccio on a daily basis on Sportsnet 650. You can also follow Dan Riccio on Twitter
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