VANCOUVER, B.C. - It was a much-needed win for Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Friday night as they dispatched Real Salt Lake with a 2-0 win in front of exuberant home crowd. The 4-4-1 Caps bumped the slump they were on and they'll be hoping to continue their winning ways when they take on 3-5-0 Minnesota United FC on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.
Vancouver right-back Sean Franklin, earned his first start for Whitecaps FC vs Real Salt Lake. His strong defensive presence was quickly noted. The 33 year-old did not put a foot wrong, and his level of MLS experience was just what Vancouver needed after being thrashed 6-0 by Sporting Kansas City a week prior.
"I felt good," Franklin told Red Nation Online. "It was nice to be back on the field after not being in the team for a few games and picking up an injury. I felt good. I think training with these guys, it just came natural. Being in a group is going to help me on Saturday."
When you see Sean Franklin patrolling the right-flank, he does it with ease. You simply can't teach that. He's as calm as a cucumber with the ball. His positioning is sound, and he doesn't play in a rush. All of that comes with having made 263 MLS appearances, with the LA Galaxy, D.C. United, and now Vancouver. The MLS Rookie of the Year in 2008 knows what it takes to win. Franklin won a pair of MLS Cups with the Galaxy.
"I don't know, a lot of people say that." Franklin said, as he pondered his calmness with the ball. "I just try to slow the game down, and not over think things. I think making the simple plays is what's going to keep players on the field. I would say extending your career is being able to read the game as quick as you can, and being able to be in situations where, you're uncomfortable, but you don't panic."
Panic creates chaos, and that's never a good thing in life, or on the football pitch. Most players know what successful play they need to make with the ball, but the ability to stay alert, focused, and execute that play, is sometimes easier said than done. Franklin knows what to do, and when to do it. All that's missing is a cigar and he's all set.
"Nah, I definitely couldn't play the game like that or with a glass of wine like (Andrea) Pirlo has." Franklin laughed. "It's something where I just try to focus, do my job that's going to help the team. I think that's what's going to be able to help me get some good minutes on this team."
There's a very good chance Franklin could be earning himself more minutes when Vancouver travels to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. You never want to tinker too much with a winning lineup. Coach Carl Robinson has been very impressed with Franklin thus far.
"If you get to know Sean, he's a good person and a good leader." said Robinson. "I think he's very mature with the way he plays. He doesn't put himself in situations, that sometimes Jake (Nerwinski) does. His youthful energy sometimes takes the better of him. I think having the mix of having a young player and an old player in that right-back position, is a great learning for both of them. At certain times they'll both be needed. I like the balance that we've got with both Sean and Jake. They can both learn off each other. Sean brings leadership, he's won MLS Cup a couple of times. He's also been in a team that's struggled, and he doesn't like that either."
Any struggles in The Gopher State must be avoided. After back to back losses away from B.C. Place, Vancouver own a 2-3-0 away record. If Whitecaps FC are going to put a string of wins together, they must jump on a Minnesota team that's allowing two goals per game this season.
"We know it's going to be a tough game out there." Franklin said. "This team has shown in years, and games past that they were one of the best teams. I think we've got to have the right mentality. Sticking to our game plan, and making sure everyone knows their role on the team. If we come out with the same energy, fight, and desire to win, that gives us a good chance to get three points this weekend."
Whether it's Sean Franklin or Jake Nerwinski, Whitecaps FC have a strong partnership and two dependable right-backs that will both be counted on to step up and produce this season. Over the course of a long season, you need depth at Vancouver certainly has that.
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