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Posted by
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October 19, 2016 |
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@HarJournalist
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The 'Great Dane' was upset by the lack of effort shown by Morales during a team scrimmage that included both players being on the same team. Ousted came out of his net and stood ten feet away from Morales. Ousted asked him if he had "checked out" and also suggested that Morales was lazy and had given up. It looked like that was going to be the end of the confrontation.
A few minutes later, Morales was front of goal and squaring up Ousted. He shoved Ousted and for a moment it looks like a tussle was going to ensue. The bigger six-foot and three-inch goalkeeper stood his ground and that was the end of it.
It was a heated and testy training session following Ousted and Morales getting into it. Nobody intervened and Whitecaps FC Coach Carl Robinson later admitted that he didn't actually see what had taken place from his vantage point.
Red Nation Online asked David Ousted what happened with Pedro Morales.
"That's the way it's supposed to be," admitted Ousted. "When someone isn't doing their job, we as leaders are supposed to step up and tell them, that's all that happens. It's nothing too wild."
We haven't seen that kind of fire and passion from Whitecaps FC players this season. The Caps players play in a fantastic city and in a comfortable environment. Tensions and testosterone finally boiled over, but really, why did it take this long to happen?
"Good question," said Ousted. "That's partly on us as leaders that haven't been doing that enough. That's partly on me for not doing that enough. Like I said all along, we need to show the fans that we're not just here to go down with another loss and especially not with Portland coming in. We've got a chance to stop their playoff season, and that's what we're going to do."
Attempts were made by this reporter to seek out Pedro Morales for his thoughts and opinion on the training dust-up. At first Morales seemed willing to talk and share his account. Unfortunately, he ran off to find his press officer after the first question.
"No, I not speak about the situation," said an unsettled Morales. "No, nothing, I no speak."
Over the course of the season there are bound to be confrontations and disagreements between teammates. It's been a trying time for the Whitecaps in 2016. A 9-15-9 record won't get them into the playoffs this season and individual players have dropped off with poor performances. It's good to inject emotion and drive during an intense practice, but it's far too little, far too late.
Carl Robinson has seen many incidents on the training field throughout his player and managerial career. He isn't surprised that Ousted and Morales had a difference of opinions. Overall, it's much better to get what's bothering you off your chest. You don't want to let it fester and drive a wedge in the team. Honesty is the best policy whether players like Pedro Morales like it or not.
"I actually didn't see it," said Robinson. "I'm not doing the Arsène Wenger, but I did not see, but I like it, of course I do. If I had to take control of everything myself, you'd see me squaring up to a few of the veterans throughout the season. Sometimes from a player’s perspective, it's good that a player tells someone if they're not happy. I'm not into all these whispering behind backs and all that nonsense that happens in school playgrounds. If you've got a problem just tell them. I think my two senior players did it today."
The Vancouver Whitecaps season concludes on Sunday, October 23 at B.C. Place when the Portland Timbers visit. Fans will be hoping the energy and passion showing in training this week, translates to a big Cascadia Cup win over the rival Timbers.
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