My heart sank somewhat when I saw that MLS were running a piece this week on the Whitecaps (and Ryan Gauld in particular).
In seasons gone by the Whitecaps have wilted under such scrutiny. Like quantum matter they seemed to behave differently once they know they are being watched.
This iteration of the team is an oscillator of a different colour however and they continued their somewhat astonishing road form by picking up a 2-1 win in Toronto on Saturday afternoon.
The first half was all a bit meh. The home team created chances through the quality of their two Italians and the Whitecaps continually just failed to create chances with a touch or a pass that was always a tad too heavy.
When TFC scored on the break early in the second half it seemed possible that Vancouver could wilt but instead they seemed affronted that their opponents had the temerity to score and almost immediately took control of the game to run out comfortable 2-1 winners.
By the end of the match it was a case of how many the Whitecaps would score rather than any genuine concern about an against the run of play equalizer and it was frankly hilarious watching the inept Toronto team being outplayed and outworked by Gauld and White et al.
Vanni Sartini was even able to dispense with the need for a dedicated defensive midfielder (Berhalter had struggled to fill in for the absent Cubas) and still allow his players to keep Toronto at arms length.
Aside from Berhalter’s struggles it would be nice to see Richie Laryea pick the easy pass or first time cross from time to time. No need to try to dribble through three players every time he gets the ball.
But Ryan Raposo continues to be energized by the arrival of Adekugbe, once again offering far more going forward than he had earlier in the season.
Next up it’s much tougher games at Houston and Salt Lake and the Whitecaps will likely hit a setback or two given the nature of the schedule.
But this team is currently operating in a universe that seems to favour their efforts.
Time for the Soccer Shorts player ratings!
Takaoka-5, Laborda-5.5, Veselinovic-5.5, Blackmon-5.5, Laryea-4, Raposo-6, Berhlater-3, Schopf-5.5, Ahmed-5.5, Gauld-7*, White-6. (Vite-5)
Soccer Shorts (The Director's Cut) 