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September 9, 2016 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C - The next biggest Whitecaps match will take place on Saturday against the Columbus Crew. Vancouver needs a victory if they hope to remain in striking distance of a possible MLS playoff spot. The Whitecaps are currently four points from a tie for the 6th and final MLS western conference playoff spot. Vancouver has had a terrible time of scoring goals with only one goal in MLS play since July 17. Filling the back of the net must take priority if the Whitecaps hope to make the playoffs.
Columbus earned a spot in the MLS Cup Final last year, but have fallen on hard times this season. A record of 5-10-11 has them sitting at the bottom of the eastern conference. The mid-season trade of Kei Kamara did nothing to help the Crew this season, Vancouver will be facing a team that they should be able to defeat, but he Caps have a 3-9-2 road record, so it won't be easy.
"It's a good opportunity for us," said centre-back Tim Parker. "It's a hard place to play, they get a lot of fans. It's going to be exciting for us, and exciting for me just because I haven't had the chance to play there yet. I always like playing in new cities."
The Whitecaps will see the return of six players from international duty. Christian Bolanos and Kendall Waston (Costa Rica), Blas Perez (Panama), Giles Barnes (Jamaica), and Marcel de Jong, and David Edgar from Canada should all be available for selection.
Bolanos scored a brace against Panama on Tuesday night and David Edgar added a late tally for Canada vs El Salvador. Any signs of life on the offensive side of the ball are positive. Tim Parker knows how much Vancouver's internationals can make.
"It will help a lot," said Parker. "I think that a lot of them are battling for results. It's not like they're on international duty playing friendlies. These are World Cup qualifiers so they are obviously going to come in with strong mentalities which they're going to carry over from their countries in which they want to win games. I think that's what we need at this point."
What you likely won't see at Mapfre Stadium is Vancouver Whitecaps Manager Carl Robinson, and Assistant Coach Gordon Forrest on the sidelines. They were both ejected from Vancouver's 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. A potential appeal of both suspensions is possible, but whether or not these suspensions are overturned is another matter. Robinson will do his due diligence before deciding if an appeal is something the organization and he himself want to go through.
"I'll speak to (Professional Referee Organization General Manager) Mr. Walton about it and have a conversation with him," said Robinson. "We'll get the boys ready, we'll fight, they'll be up for it. We know they're a good team, Columbus even though results maybe don't show it for them. Will have to put a game plan in place and try and win that game."
For any athlete it can be quite a shock to see your gaffer being tossed from the match. You are always use to seeing him on the sidelines giving direction, and talking tactics. Sophomore defender Tim Parker still isn't quite sure what exactly transpired.
"I was pretty surprised, I think it was a little much for him to get ejected. We don't really fully understand the whole purpose behind it, especially right before halftime at that point. I think it was a little bit overdone."
When a manager is asked to leave, what exactly happens to the player’s mindset and focus? You could easily see a team come a part, or perhaps coming together to fight for the departed gaffer. It depends on the players and assistants that are left to take over.
"I think it's a little bit of both," revealed Parker. "I think you learn so much from him being on the sidelines, but at the same time... him being sent off. It's kind of a motivation statement to the guys on the field that you want to play for the gaffer after he gets sent off."
The Whitecaps will be ready to go on Saturday with or without Carl Robinson guiding them. All the tactical wisdom that he has implored should help them come up with a win. Who knows the Vancouver might even score a few goals with the gaffer banished.
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