|
Posted by
,
November 16, 2016 |
|
Twitter
@HarJournalist
|
|
Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VANCOUVER, B.C. - The MLS conference finals will begin next week and as we all know, the Vancouver Whitecaps will be on the outside looking in. Vancouver had a dire season finishing with a 10-15-9 record. Expectations were high and the Whitecaps never managed to meet them. All throughout the season, scoring, defense, discipline and even goalkeeping was not at it's best. Despite qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals in February and hoisting the Cascadia Cup, many fans, players, and media see the 2016 campaign as a step backwards for the organization.
It is hoped that with some offseason tinkering and standout acquisitions, the Whitecaps can turn it around next season. Goalkeeper David Ousted thinks they can take inspiration from Colorado.
"I don't think we're far off," said the Caps shot-stopper. "Listen, we've seen it this year with Colorado, I think they've been brilliant this year. Last year they probably didn't have the season that they wanted to. I think it's going to be the same for us next year. I think we're not far off, and like I say, if we assess this the right way, if we go back and look ourselves in the mirror and know what we've got to get done next year, then everybody will use this offseason to work hard and get back into shape and the state of mind that we need to go on and win next year."
The 31 year-old, Ousted posted a record of 10-15-8 this past season with 110 saves, 6 clean-sheets, and an astonishing 52 goals against. Not all of those goals against were down to shaky goalkeeping by Ousted. The defense in front of him was out of sorts and not good enough. Ousted just wasn't as brilliant as he has been in previous seasons. Paolo Tornaghi started his first MLS match in three seasons with Vancouver. It came on Sunday, October 16 in a 0-0 draw away to the San Jose Earthquakes. Tornaghi spoke to Red Nation Online and summed up his thoughts on a substandard Whitecaps season with a few bright spots.
"I think there is a little bit of disappointment," admitted Tornaghi. "I guess we have to be honest, coming from a very good season last year, everyone was expecting to get into the playoffs, and do something good. We didn't, so I think there is a little bit of disappointment, but on the other side, we showed that we have potential. With the results that we have in CONCACAF (Champions League), and winning the Cascadia, and other good performances sometimes during the season, we showed that we have potential."
The potential regarding the 28 year-old goalkeeper is a bit of an unknown. He hasn't really been given a large sample size as a goalkeeper in Vancouver. Tornaghi has played second fiddle to David Ousted during his 113 match consecutive start streak. While some keepers might be frustrated and asking for a move elsewhere, Tornaghi still believes in himself as a number one MLS goalkeeper.
"I think this is a belief that has stayed with me since the first day I came into the league five years ago," said Tornaghi. "When I played down in Chicago. The home opener against Montreal, I played good, and then again. It's something that I know I can do it, and when it's going to happen, I will be ready. If it's here, I will be very happy to stay here. I would really like to stay here, yes."
On February 16, 2016, the Vancouver Whitecaps signed David Ousted to a multi-year contract extension. Ousted is locked in as the number one goalkeeper for the Caps, and he isn't going anywhere. At a wage of $378,933, Ousted is making a pretty decent salary for an MLS goalkeeper. His counterpart is working with less of a stable contract, and salary figure. Paolo Tornaghi pulled in a wage of $62,500 in 2016. The Milano, native is operating on a year to year contract with the Whitecaps.
"The club has an option for me with pretty much the same contract as a backup for all the league," revealed Tornaghi. "I don't think it's going to be a money problem. I will know in a couple of hours or the next days, but the club has to decide because they have an option."
The Whitecaps goaltending is not an overly concerning problem heading into 2017. Scoring, the defensive shape, holding midfield, and an astute right-back remain the top priority. Vancouver will be in good hands with David Ousted and Paolo Tornaghi. Ousted, admits that the biggest disappointment was letting down Whitecaps fans. Winning is one thing, but when the paying customer isn't getting an edge of your seat, exciting football match, that's what really hurts the Danish keeper.
"We definitely didn't expect to be here," said Ousted. "I think the most disappointing is letting the fans down, in the sense of what they came in with expectations of what they wanted to see, especially in B.C. Place. What we were able to do last year in home games, and being an exciting team to watch. I think this year we've gone back a little bit and that's disappointing, not being able to give the fans that excitement."
Both Ousted and Tornaghi have had a busy offseason. Ousted made time to visit B.C. Children's Hospital with teammate Ben McKendry on Halloween, and he also helped open a new Whitecaps mini-soccer pitch at Brennan Park Recreation Centre in Squamish, British Columbia.
"Yeah, Milano, Milano all the time," said Tornaghi when asked about his offseason plans. "I'm going to be back with my family, my wife's family. We stay all together, so in the next two months, three months almost, I'm going to stay in Milan."
If there is one thing Whitecaps supporters don't need to worry about heading into the offseason and eventual 2017 campaign, it's goalkeeping. Vancouver should rebound and allow far fewer goals. The defense will be better, and David Ousted and Paolo Tornaghi will benefit from an overall better team around them.
|