VANCOUVER, B.C. - Vancouver Whitecaps FC are looking to head into the MLS Gold Cup break with some positive results. The Caps will take on expansion side Minnesota United FC on June 24, Chicago Fire on July 1, and New York City FC on July 5 at B.C. Place. The club is looking to turn the corner after a stretch of off the pitch news.
Vancouver currently sit 6th in the western conference with a 6-6-2 record. There are still matches to be played, and points to be had before the Gold Cup begins. In the absence of right back, Sheanon Williams, Carl Robinson has called on rookie Jake Nerwinski to start.
"What Robbo always says, 'it's the next guy up'. Whatever happens, happens. Anything I can do to help the team. That's my position and I'll do my best to help the team win," said Nerwinski.
Selected 7th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, Nerwinski earned his first MLS start, at home, on Saturday vs FC Dallas. He went the distance in his third 90 minute appearance of the season. The gaffer was impressed by Nerwinski. FC Dallas has a potent attack and for the most part, the Whitecaps defence limited them. Nerwinski had a tall order stopping oppositions wingers from cutting into the Caps box.
"I thought he was very strong," said Robinson. "He's not playing against an easy player in little (Michael) Barrios. He's very quick, (Roland) Lamah flipped flopped with him. Sometimes with these young players, you're better off throwing them in, and not thinking too much about it. I think he stronger as the game went on. He used his qualities. He made one or two errors, which a lot of my players do every week. I'm very comfortable with Jake."
The 22 year-old, made the jump to Major League Soccer after starting 75 of 81 matches during his four-years with the University of Connecticut. Now that he's a pro, Nerwinski has had to adjust to not playing in every match. He's battled to earn the trust of his manager, and now his name is being pencilled into the starting lineup.
"You have to be ready every single day," said Nerwinski. "Every single day of training you have to give it your all. You can't take a day off, because if you do, and you skip a beat. These guys are going to run right past you."
A native of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Nerwinski has formed a bond with a fellow tri-state team-mate. Hicksville, Long Island native, Tim Parker has taken Nerwinski under his wing. Having already experienced MLS rookie life in 2015, Parker has been able to offer advice, and guidance to the Caps grasshopper.
"We kind of come from the same area," said Parker. "We have a lot to relate to and stuff. I think in terms of just settling in and doing the little things right, that's a big part of being a defender. Not only as a rookie, but being a defender. He's doing the little things right in terms of defending, and being in the right position."
It's not all about football tactics, training, and stop opposing forwards. Off the pitch, navigating around a new city, finding activities, and trying to understand Vancouver weather all takes time. Parker has been able to share his Vancouver knowledge.
"Tim has been helping me a lot," said Nerwinski. "He's a young guy too, he's been in it recently. Now he's coming into his own this season. He's playing great. He's just telling me about his rookie year, and just helping me out through all this."
If and when Sheanon Williams returns to play for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Robinson is going to have a tough decision to make. Nerwinski has shown that he is more than capable of playing right-back. Having two capable options at right-back is a good problem to have for a club that has been stricken with injuries and absences all season.
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