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The Vancouver Whitecaps are coming off a season which saw them become the first Canadian club to qualify for the MLS playoffs. Despite this being accomplished, I, along with many other 'Caps fans, would look at last season as something of an underachievement for the club. I say this because at the beginning of the 2012 season, the Whitecaps played a beautiful brand of football and the style of play was very enjoyable to watch.
However, mid-way through the season the Whitecaps experienced a significant drop in form. Many will argue, including myself, this was due to the departures of players like Eric Hassli, Sebastien Le Toux and most notably, Davide Chiumiento.
Along with the players who left the Whitecaps, others joined the club around the same time, which gave Vancouver a very different look and chemistry than they had had earlier in the campaign. Some of these signings included Kenny Miller, Dane Richards and also Barry Robson, who signed in January but joined the 'Caps in July. Dane Richards immediately made an impact in Vancouver but the same did not go for Kenny Miller, and especially not for Barry Robson.
Previous excitement for the two Scots to join the team was eventually quelled after they were unable to find their feet in their first season as Whitecaps players. Of course, as many will recall, Robson left Vancouver at the end of the season to return to England.
The Whitecaps, who are looking to replace departed players, have recently signed two big name players in Honduran defender Johnny Leverón and ex-Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.
Johnny Leverón (23) hails from the renowned Honduran club C.D. Motagua and has also appeared in 22 matches for the Honduran national team. He has played in one World Cup Qualifier match, the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup and also appeared at the 2012 London Olympics for his country.
Nigel Reo-Coker (28) on the other hand, was previously unattached after rejecting a contract extension from English Championship side Ipswich Town in January of this year. Reo-Coker has played for some of the biggest clubs in England, including West Ham United, Bolton Wanderers and Aston Villa. He also has 23 caps for the England U21 squad and was named captain in 2007.
Leverón is primarily a defender who is also capable of playing in the defensive center midfield role. I would expect to see him playing most often in the defensive midfield position. As for Reo-Coker, he is a box-to-box midfielder who also has experience as an outside back and is able to fill in there if needed. Personally, I hope to see him playing in the middle of the park as much as possible.
Ultimately, I think Johnny Leverón is mostly just an addition to the Whitecaps, whereas Reo-Coker is more of a replacement for Barry Robson.
The key for Reo-Coker in his first season with the 'Caps is to mind his attitude on and off the pitch, especially when it comes to the media spotlight, and also to avoid getting into foul trouble.
I am very impressed with the Whitecaps for bringing in players like Reo-Coker and Leverón. It speaks measures about how far the club has come and how they are starting to attract more and more attention from high quality players from all around the world.
These are two fantastic signings by the 'Caps in my opinion. I am especially excited to see Reo-Coker in a Whitecaps jersey this season. One of the most positive aspects about these players is that they are both still young in age. It’s not at a case of Vancouver bringing in a couple of over the hill stars who have name recognition and experience, but whose legs are shot.
If all goes to plan, the addition of Reo-Coker and Leverón could be key moves in terms of ensuring that not only will Vancouver be able to build on the success the team enjoyed in 2012, but that they will also return to play the type of dynamic football that Whitecaps supporters enjoyed in the first half of last season.
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