Season Preview: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

Welcome to my 7th annual MLS Season Preview, this year with a dedicated preview for each club. Lets get stuck in with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC...



IN:
M Marco Bustos (9/15/14 - Homegrown)
F Octavio Rivero (12/25/14 - transfer from O'Higgins FC)
D Diego Rodriguez (1/14/15 - loan from Juventud de las Piedras)
D Pa Modou Kah (1/21/15 - free)
M Ben McKendry (1/26/15 - Homegrown)
M Deybi Flores (2/24/15 - loan from Motagua)


OUT:
D Jay DeMerit (retired)
D Carlyle Mitchell (11/14/14 - out of contract)
M Bryce Alderson (11/14/14 - option declined)
F Omar Salgado (12/8/14 - traded to NYCFC)
F Mamadou Diouf (12/8/14 - option declined)
M Sebastian Fernandez (12/8/14 - option declined)
D Johnny Leveron (12/8/14 - option declined)
M Mehdi Ballouchy (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft to NYCFC)
D Andy O'Brien (12/31/14 - out of contract)


MANAGER: Carl Robinson



Up front, Vancouver has made a fantastic new addition in Octavio Rivero. MLS defenders be warned, he has pace and skill, and is a massive improvement over the rotation used last season of Mattocks and Salgado. Mattocks is still around to spell Rivero and learn under him, but Rivero could be the most exciting addition to the MLS forward ranks.

In the mid, the marvelous Pedro Morales returns in the number 10 role, while the attacking three in completed with the pace filled Manneh on the left, in what could be his breakout star making season, and the veteran Rosales on the right. A better three attacking mids may not exist in MLS. In the holding roles, the impressive Laba will be joined by Kofi when fit, but until then, homegrown Marco Bustos looks to fill in, as well as potential wide man and midfield super replacement Russell Teibert. While not the sexiest line up in MLS, there are few MLS sides that can say they have so many potential super stars in their front six.

Defense is where the real questions lie about Vancouver's season. Rodriguez or Pa Modou Kah will join with the strong Waston in central defense, while the moderately serviceable Harvey and Beitashour fill in the fullback positions. Lana and Kofi should go a long way to protecting the back four, but they need to step up if Vancouver is finally going to be taken seriously as an MLS Cup contender. The veteran Pat Ousted returns between the sticks.

Overall, I have high expectations for Vancouver, though am cautiously optimistic. There are so many talented young players waiting to light up MLS, if they can put it all together, they could be the surprise package of the MLS season.


2014 Western Conference Finish: 5th
Predicted 2015 Western Conference Finish: 4th


Thank you for reading my season preview for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, please feel free to read any or all of the other club previews, and as always, remember, MLS Matters.