VANCOUVER, B.C. - Any successful championship calibre team has to have quality depth, and healthy competition in all areas of the pitch. As 2-1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC strive to become an elite MLS Cup contender, Coach Carl Robinson continues to build an interchangeable versatile roster with cover wherever required.
In the process of shaping and developing Whitecaps FC, one constant and durable player has remained up top.
Erik Hurtado.
Drafted 5th overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Hurtado has kept his roster spot and remained an important piece of Carl Robinson's roster. He may not get the hype and attention that other Vancouver players do, but Hurtado has been a constant professional.
"I carry a big squad, a good squad, from top to bottom, I like to make it competitive," Robinson said. "When you're in the team you've got to prove that you deserve to be in the team, and when you're not in the team you've got to get your head down and work, and the opportunities will come. Erik come on for a half an hour. Did very well, scored a good goal, a very calm finish."
Hurtado's goal against Atlanta United FC on March 17 briefly gave Vancouver a chance to get back into the match. For the amount of minutes he earns on the pitch, Hurtado has contributed in key situations. He often enters the match in the second half when opposition defenders are struggling to maintain fitness and hold firm defensively until the final whistle.
"I mean, I've just got to get my opportunities to play," said Hurtado. "I feel like every time I get my opportunity, I prove that I can play. I've just got to get my opportunity again."
This is when Erik Hurtado is at his best. This is when he's 'E-Money'.
"I mean every time I get an opportunity, I score or get an assist so yeah."
In 94 career MLS matches, Hurtado has been on the pitch for 4264 minutes. In that time on the pitch, Hurtado has scored 11 goals. That works out to a goal every 387 minutes. If you break it down even further, that's a goal every four and one-third of a match.
"It's just opportunity. When I go out there, I play. It's just when I get my opportunity, that's what happens," said a modest Hurtado.
Not only is Hurtado's goals scored per minute rate impressive, but so is his goals per shot attempts on target. Hurtado has attempted 120 shots in his MLS career. His 11 goals have come off an average of 10.9 shots attempted. His 41 shots on target, give him a success rate of scoring every 3.7 times his shot hits the net.
You might just call Erik Hurtado a super sub.
"Yeah, I think he can (be) without a doubt," Robinson said of his super sub. "Erik wants to start games as does Anthony (Blondell) as does Kei (Kamara). Unfortunately there's eleven players that start, and I've got a squad of 23 players. We have a very difficult travel schedule, we know that. There will be injury, suspensions, so you'll get your chance. You just have to be patient, and you have to be mentally ready."
Whitecaps FC could have used Hurtado off the bench in a nil-nil match vs LA Galaxy on Saturday. Hurtado could have provided a spark plug, late match heroics, and a boost from the bench. Unfortunately, Hurtado was not listed on the match day roster.
As Vancouver prepares to take on 3-0-1 Columbus Crew SC on Saturday afternoon, Hurtado will be waiting for his next opportunity to provide a bit of offensive magic.
"I'm feeling good, I'm feeling confident. I'm one hundred percent, I'm ready to go."
With his impressive goals per minute, shots attempted, and shots on target rate, it's no wonder Erik Hurtado has enough swag to fill B.C. Place Stadium.
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