Lots of good points there
@LION . I would also like to see more Canadian players get a chance but the consensus usually is that they're usually not good enough and people wouldn't support a mediocre product on the pitch. We made the play-offs and almost won the Western conference. Some would say the Whitecaps are doing something right, some would say the overall play of the league is just that bad right now. I think it's a bit of both.
I've been a fan of BC soccer in general since I was a kid. Watched highlights of the 86er's on tv and followed the A-League/USL caps in the early 2000's. There's something special when you can line-up/play against/or even watch local players in an amateur league(VMSL) and then watch them play pro. Those USL Whitecaps were fun to watch and if you followed local soccer then there was something a little more special on the pitch at Swangard. (A shout out to those players...Sulentic,Heald,JJ,Valente,Clark,Nash,Morris,Sandhu,King amongst others). It hurt my feelings when they didn't offer Nash a real role for the inaugural MLS season. Wearing the armband in MLS would have been the proper way to go imo.(Well that's how I remembered it anyways).
My point is it's easier to get behind a team where you know and enjoy the product and players.
I still follow the caps but as a fan you have to ask some questions sooner or later. We've had some good players here and why we let them go is beyond me. For example:
Mane : Pacey young winger who would torture his markers on the wing. A dip in form and he's out? After all the years developing and marketing and you let him go? wow.
Koffie: Some would say that Laba has filled that role sufficiently but Koffie had a more dynamic offensive side and a great personality. Plus, he was wanting to play for the national side one day! Lets trade him for money. what?
Camilo : Sure he turned out to be a worm and was training with another club behind our backs but he had just won the MLS golden boot and was due for a raise.
This is what they should do:
-Sell Davies because we all know that's going to happen sooner or later. With that money...go sign Hutchinson who has a few good years left in him(especially at MLS level).
-Go out and buy Larin. He was a hot commodity earlier in the season but his dip in form in the second half of the season may see him leave cheaper than expected.
-Get rid of Shea. I was hoping for good things from him but I don't think he's a good fit here. Trade him to TFC for Osorio.
-Get rid of Laba and sign Larin's teammate Will Johnson. Johnson is a proven winner at the MLS level and a couple of All star apperances as well.
-Get rid of the artificial grass. seriously. hahaha
The team is starting to look a lot more Canadian now
