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VANCOUVER, B.C - A rejuvenated and healthy Kenny Miller has helped the Whitecaps get off to a fantastic 2-0-2 start to the 2014 MLS season. Vancouver received a brace from Miller in the Caps 4-1 home opener victory over the Red Bulls, and another marker in a 2-1 win over the visiting Houston Dynamo last weekend. Miller is in top form and as long as he can stay healthy he could certainly challenge and score more goals than that bloody big deal in Toronto.
Kenny Miller is a big reason why Vancouver has eight of a possible twelve points. The Scottish striker leads the club with 3 goals and 5 shots on target and he has already converted twice from the spot. Miller has also been leading by example on and off the pitch. A big part of his early success is thanks to a healthy knee and full fitness by his side.
"I feel great, it was a good offseason obviously getting the knee fixed up and working over the offseason to comeback fit,” Miller told RedNation. “I feel good, and it's about maintaining that, staying fit, staying healthy, and staying on the field.”
Miller captained his side in New England when Jay DeMerit was rested and he knows that at some point he may also be rested by Carl Robinson. Although no player wants to sit out a match, if it can help the team succeed in the long run, then it's well worth it.
Kenny Miller is an ultimate team player and he has been willing to play in various positions and formations while Carl Robinson tinkers and attempts to find a consistent and potent starting eleven.
In the opening match Miller played the no.10 role behind striker Darren Mattocks. The following match against Chivas USA featured Miller playing on the wing out on the right side. In that match he had no effect and was often stuck on an island with no service. Miller returned to a no.10 role behind Mattocks in the Caps 0-0 draw against the Revolution.
Looking to switch up his formation against the Houston Dynamo, Carl Robinson decided to go with a 4-4-2 diamond formation instead of a 4-2-3-1 formation that had been used in the Whitecaps first three matches. Miller was paired up top with Darren Mattocks. He has been best utilized when he is playing out and out in a no.9 role, as Miller's ability to read the play and fire a precise shot make him a fantastic striker.
Miller had this to say about his ideal playing position.
"For me I'm a number nine,” Miller said. “I'm a striker and I want to be playing through the middle, but sometimes you have to fill in with other roles. On that particular day I was out wide. It's not my preference to play there, but if it's a case of going out there and doing a shift for team that's what it's about. It's not about an individual, it's about the team pulling together.”
Whitecaps newcomer Pedro Morales looks to be the perfect playmaker to play a no.10 role behind Kenny Miller. His ability to make a creative short pass or a long-range cross to the likes of Gershon Koffie or Andy O'Brien sets him apart from the majority of players in MLS. The Chilean maestro played a beauty lob pass for Miller's second goal against New York. Not only can he deliver a sublime pass but it's only a matter of time before he takes a successful free kick and picks a corner.
The Whitecaps new Latin flavour has also been a key to the team’s early season success. Uruguayans Sebastian Fernandez, and Nicolas Mezquida have joined Matias Laba, and Morales to add a great balance of scoring, passing, and stalwart defensive ability. Although he might not be able to speak much Spanish, Miller needs only one language to communicate with his team teammates.
"There is a bit of a language barrier there with the lads, but football is football,” Miller explained. “If you've got a good football brain and you understand how to play and what's going on with the movement of your teammates, then you're okay. Hopefully that language barrier will get better as the season goes on.”
Kenny Miller may be off to a brilliant start this season, but whether or not he remains in Vancouver to finish the season is yet to be determined. The Edinburgh, Scotland native signed a six-month contract extension that runs until June 30, 2014. Currently his status beyond June 30, 2014 is unknown. Miller had this to say regarding any current contract discussions with the Whitecaps organization.
"The contract is up at the 30th of June at the moment, we'll continue to play,” Miller said. “I'm playing and trying to do my best for the team. If the club are happy then they can come to me, but at the moment we've got to start looking for employment come the 1st of July.
Miller admitted that he wants to stay in Vancouver and continue playing for the Whitecaps, but until a deal is reached Vancouver supporters will hold their breath on the Scotsman's future. Miller is cautious as he's also preparing for whatever lies ahead in his career path.
"I've already stated four or five times where I want to be, and it's unfortunate that it's out of my hands,” Miller added. “It stands at the moment that I've got to prepare as if I'm preparing for the worst.”
The Whitecaps have the ball in their court when it comes to the future of Kenny Miller. Based on what Miller has brought to the team after four matches, the organization would be foolish if they did not explore a contract extension for the duration of the 2014 MLS season.
Note: Nigel Reo-Coker has not yet been cleared to return to full fitness after sustaining a concussion on March 23.
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