Keep, Trade or Release 2015: A Vancouver Whitecaps player analysis (Part Two – Midfielders and Forwards)
Vancouver Whitecaps’ 2015 season is over and with it, the hard work for next year begins in earnest.
The Whitecaps will retain their solid core, but new additions are necessary to make the squad stronger and more productive in front of goal. You can make additions without subtracting in MLS, so with all that in mind, it’s time for AFTN’s annual “Keep, Trade or Release” feature.
We kicked off Part One with a look at this year’s goalkeepers and defenders. Today, we analyse the midfielders and forwards.
Who should be kept around for next season? Who should be traded or sold to free up space for more valuable assets or to fill positions of need? And who should just be released into the wild altogether? And remember, when we talk about trades, it’s not necessarily for a player coming back, but could be for allocation money or a draft pick.
If you want to catch up on our previous “Keep, Trade or Release” picks, here are the links –
2014 – GOALKEEPERS AND DEFENDERS / MIDFIELDERS AND FORWARDS
2013 – GOALKEEPERS / DEFENDERS / MIDFIELDERS / FORWARDS
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MIDFIELDERS:
MARCO BUSTOS
AARON – (Keep) Back up to Morales next season would be the best for him and his development. Let’s hope he is injury free next season.
MICHAEL – (Keep) Damn that training pitch injury. Derailed Bustos’ development slightly but what he showed in USL was exciting for the future. Looked good in preseason. Doesn’t look like he’ll be out of place in MLS. Onwards and upwards!
Needs to work on being less selfish on the ball and get out of the arm waving he sometimes falls in to
STEVE – (Keep) Started the season with injury issues but when he came back he had some bright moments with WFC2 and should see some playing time next year.
DEYBI FLORES
AARON – (Release) Way too inconsistent for MLS. The game is too technical and physical for him.
MICHAEL – (Decline to sign) I personally wouldn’t bring him back. He looked good in his first appearance, then felt he got worse with every MLS game. Didn’t impress but Robbo seems to feel he has potential to grow and is still young. I expect him to be back, as the ‘Caps pick up his signing option.
STEVE – (Decline to sign) As a loanee he didn’t overly impress and would take up an international spot if he returned.
KIANZ FROESE
AARON – (Keep) Had a good season but would love to see him get more first team minutes. Needs to make most of the minutes he does get.
MICHAEL – (Keep) A further strong season of development. Now has his first pro goal. Nowhere near his ceiling yet and we should see a lot more of him, and even more production from him, next season.
STEVE – (Keep) Had a number of bright moments and should see even more playing time next season.
GERSHON KOFFIE
AARON – (Trade) Is worth less this season than he was last season. Get maximum return now before he lowers he stock again.
MICHAEL – (Trade) He still frustrates me as a player. Still hasn’t taken the leap of advancement he’s been needing to take the last two seasons. His stock is high with some around the league and there have been enquiries before as to his availability. Maybe last chance to get decent return for him. Other DM options out there interesting Carl Robinson.
STEVE (Keep or Trade) – Another player who had a solid season but is on a high ticket. The ‘Caps may look to move him on in order open up cap space.
MATIAS LABA (ALREADY RE-SIGNED)
AARON – (Keep) Thank you TFC.
MICHAEL – (Keep) A fantastic season for Laba personally and rewarded with a new multi-year contract. So key for the ‘Caps snuffing out attacks in that DM role but has to work on cutting out the reckless and occasionally lax tackles that have proved costly.
STEVE – (Keep) Just signed to an extension and will definitely return unless a team comes with an offer that the Whitecaps can’t refuse.
KEKUTA MANNEH
AARON – (Keep) Great season and the sky is the limit for Manneh.
MICHAEL – (Keep) Manneh made big strides this season. A lot more maturity both on and off the pitch. Great defensive awareness added. Has to keep it going now, and I have no doubts that he will. Still a lot of work to do with his finishing and decision making.
STEVE – (Keep) Really came on as the season went on and was a dangerous weapon going forward while improving defensively.
BEN MCKENDRY
AARON – (Keep) USL Player of the Year for ThunderCaps. I am very high on this player and would love to see him get minutes if the team gets rid of Teibert, Koffie and Flores. Could be a back up to Laba on the first team.
MICHAEL – (Keep) Robbo rates him very highly and had plans for him in the summer before injury thwarted those. He started a little tentatively in USL but soon burst out and was playing really well. He’ll make his MLS debut next year, then he needs to grab the brass ring when he does, as he has a lot of competition at his position and he’s not getting any younger.
STEVE – (Keep) Was voted as WFC2 player of the year and was improving before an injury ended his season.
NICOLAS MEZQUIDA
AARON – (Keep) Injuries ruined his season. Was the best player on this team for a good 5 to 6 week run when Morales was injured.
MICHAEL – (Keep) Felt that this was a make or break one for Mezquida in Vancouver. He certainly made it! Shame that an injury ended his season early as he seems the key to unlocking Rivero. The link up between those pair and Techera is a joy to watch. Hopefully more to come.
STEVE – (Keep) Had a tough time dealing with injuries late into the season but when he played as a number 10 for Morales, the Caps didn’t lose too much.
PEDRO MORALES (ALREADY RE-SIGNED)
AARON – (Keep) Let’s hope he keeps healthy.
MICHAEL – (Keep) He says he’s not worried about his injuries. Robbo says that as well. Wish I felt the same way. Felt a disappointing season for Pedro after his spectacular first year in MLS. Can still spray a ball better than nearly everyone in the league. Need to see that back to the max in 2016.
STEVE – (Keep) After signing an extension there is no way Morales is not coming back, but as their most talented player he needs to avoid getting run down as the season went on.
MAURO ROSALES
AARON – (Trade) Not enough offensive return for his high salary. Yes, experience and leadership is good to have, but this is a salary cap league, like it or not.
MICHAEL – (Release) Tough one for me, as listeners to the podcast know how highly I rate Rosales for what he brings both on and off the pitch. As he told us in our latest podcast (Ep 134), he wants to stay. Took a paycut from $400,000 to $265,000 guaranteed for this season. Would need to take about $100,000 off that for me to keep him around. I’d like them to come to a deal as he definitely has value to the team. Just sense they won’t be able to.
STEVE – (Release) The elder statesman is on a very high salary and unless he takes a big paycut, I can’t see him returning next season.
CRISTIAN TECHERA
AARON – (Keep) Had a great season and will only be better getting a preseason camp in with this team.
MICHAEL – (Keep) One of, if not the, player of the second half of the season. Hopefully ‘Caps have a set transfer fee for him as I think he’s going to be even better in MLS next year.
STEVE – (Keep) Unless there is a large transfer fee needed to bring him back there is doubt Techera should return next season.
RUSSELL TEIBERT
AARON – (Trade) If he isn’t good enough to be a consistent MLS starter and earn quality MLS minutes, might be time to move on from Teibert.
MICHAEL – (Trade) I’d release him but ‘Caps would want to get something for him is he was to move on. For me, he’s not MLS starting quality right now and he won’t get there if he doesn’t play. He needs to move on, best outside of North America, to be a starter somewhere for his own development. Far better options in ‘Caps squad for the positions he can play. He’s reached a fork in the road.
STEVE – (Keep) I was surprised he didn’t get as much playing time down the stretch but the Caps still hope his long term future is with Vancouver.
FORWARDS:
CALEB CLARKE
AARON – (Trade/Sell) I would say Keep but he would at best be a USL only player. Don’t think he will settle for that.
MICHAEL – (Release) This was the make or break season for Clarke. He looked okay at USL level but not MLS quality right now. We don’t know for sure as he never saw a single minute there. I feel he’s gone as far as he can with the ‘Caps right now.
STEVE – (Release) He played this season with WFC2, had moments, and may be looking to return to Germany next year.
ROBERT EARNSHAW
AARON – (Keep) Was way under used this season. Would be that experience factor if they let Rosales go.
MICHAEL – (Release but happy to keep around) You wonder just how he, and the ‘Caps, would have done if he’d played more. Was strange how Robbo used him this year, but to be fair, when he did play (in Champions League), he looked a step off. But give him a chance and he’s the Whitecap striker I’d back most to score. Cheap value at $100,000 so I wouldn’t be too averse to him hanging around for his experience if he performs, but likely to head back to lower league club in UK and to work on his coaching qualifications.
STEVE – (Release) As with Mattocks below, the striker position needs to improve and Earnshaw is on his last legs.
ERIK HURTADO
AARON – (Keep) Give him a training camp to see what he learned when he got sent to Norway on loan. If he struggles, release him.
MICHAEL – (Trade) Dreadful season for Hurtado, who seems to have gone backwards. Loaned to Norway but ended up riding the pine as his team got relegated. The plan is for him to come back to preseason camp but his time in Vancouver must surely be running out. I genuinely believe that his performances, and goals, in that hot streak he was on in 2014 will see interest from others in MLS for some kind of trade, even if just for allocation or a draft pick.
STEVE – (Release) Another player who needs to move on in order clear both a roster spot and some, limited, cap space.
ANDRE LEWIS
AARON – (Release) Too injury prone. Not strong enough for the MLS.
MICHAEL – (Release) He has speed, he has skills, but he’s not going to be a MLS player for the ‘Caps so no point continuing with him.
STEVE – (Release) See Hurtado. Plus he takes up an international spot.
DARREN MATTOCKS
AARON – (Trade) Maybe he could just play for Jamaica year round. Seems to only score for his national team.
MICHAEL – (Trade) I’ve had him leaving for three years now I think! His highest trade value was going to be in the summer after the Gold Cup. Stock has fallen again but many teams still rate him highly. He’ll probably now excel elsewhere.
Caleb Porter still loves him, so let’s keep those Mattocks for Will Johnson trade rumours rumbling, or to Houston for Bruin.
STEVE – (Trade) The Whitecaps need to find a way to move Mattocks on to improve the back-up striker position, even if the return isn’t at full value.
OCTAVIO RIVERO
AARON – (Keep) Hit a wall and struggled for a long part of the season. Will be more comfortable next season and hopefully he has help up top.
MICHAEL – (Keep) Rivero’s not going anywhere. He was very self critical after season and promises better production. Highest workrate on the team and left on an island up front at times, but he needs to be pushed. Robbo’s going to bring in at least one more striker. I expect two or three. If the formation doesn’t change it could be to replace Rivero as the starter. Then does he want to hang around and fight?
STEVE – (Keep) Rivero needs another season to see if he can become a consistent scorer especially with a potential payoff down the road. Needs competition at the spot.
*********
So there’s our thoughts on the Whitecaps midfielders and forwards from the season past. Do you agree or are we talking nonsense? Let us know below!
Read Further on AFTN.ca
Vancouver Whitecaps’ 2015 season is over and with it, the hard work for next year begins in earnest.
The Whitecaps will retain their solid core, but new additions are necessary to make the squad stronger and more productive in front of goal. You can make additions without subtracting in MLS, so with all that in mind, it’s time for AFTN’s annual “Keep, Trade or Release” feature.
We kicked off Part One with a look at this year’s goalkeepers and defenders. Today, we analyse the midfielders and forwards.
Who should be kept around for next season? Who should be traded or sold to free up space for more valuable assets or to fill positions of need? And who should just be released into the wild altogether? And remember, when we talk about trades, it’s not necessarily for a player coming back, but could be for allocation money or a draft pick.
If you want to catch up on our previous “Keep, Trade or Release” picks, here are the links –
2014 – GOALKEEPERS AND DEFENDERS / MIDFIELDERS AND FORWARDS
2013 – GOALKEEPERS / DEFENDERS / MIDFIELDERS / FORWARDS
**********
MIDFIELDERS:
MARCO BUSTOS
AARON – (Keep) Back up to Morales next season would be the best for him and his development. Let’s hope he is injury free next season.
MICHAEL – (Keep) Damn that training pitch injury. Derailed Bustos’ development slightly but what he showed in USL was exciting for the future. Looked good in preseason. Doesn’t look like he’ll be out of place in MLS. Onwards and upwards!
Needs to work on being less selfish on the ball and get out of the arm waving he sometimes falls in to
STEVE – (Keep) Started the season with injury issues but when he came back he had some bright moments with WFC2 and should see some playing time next year.
DEYBI FLORES
AARON – (Release) Way too inconsistent for MLS. The game is too technical and physical for him.
MICHAEL – (Decline to sign) I personally wouldn’t bring him back. He looked good in his first appearance, then felt he got worse with every MLS game. Didn’t impress but Robbo seems to feel he has potential to grow and is still young. I expect him to be back, as the ‘Caps pick up his signing option.
STEVE – (Decline to sign) As a loanee he didn’t overly impress and would take up an international spot if he returned.
KIANZ FROESE
AARON – (Keep) Had a good season but would love to see him get more first team minutes. Needs to make most of the minutes he does get.
MICHAEL – (Keep) A further strong season of development. Now has his first pro goal. Nowhere near his ceiling yet and we should see a lot more of him, and even more production from him, next season.
STEVE – (Keep) Had a number of bright moments and should see even more playing time next season.
GERSHON KOFFIE
AARON – (Trade) Is worth less this season than he was last season. Get maximum return now before he lowers he stock again.
MICHAEL – (Trade) He still frustrates me as a player. Still hasn’t taken the leap of advancement he’s been needing to take the last two seasons. His stock is high with some around the league and there have been enquiries before as to his availability. Maybe last chance to get decent return for him. Other DM options out there interesting Carl Robinson.
STEVE (Keep or Trade) – Another player who had a solid season but is on a high ticket. The ‘Caps may look to move him on in order open up cap space.
MATIAS LABA (ALREADY RE-SIGNED)
AARON – (Keep) Thank you TFC.
MICHAEL – (Keep) A fantastic season for Laba personally and rewarded with a new multi-year contract. So key for the ‘Caps snuffing out attacks in that DM role but has to work on cutting out the reckless and occasionally lax tackles that have proved costly.
STEVE – (Keep) Just signed to an extension and will definitely return unless a team comes with an offer that the Whitecaps can’t refuse.
KEKUTA MANNEH
AARON – (Keep) Great season and the sky is the limit for Manneh.
MICHAEL – (Keep) Manneh made big strides this season. A lot more maturity both on and off the pitch. Great defensive awareness added. Has to keep it going now, and I have no doubts that he will. Still a lot of work to do with his finishing and decision making.
STEVE – (Keep) Really came on as the season went on and was a dangerous weapon going forward while improving defensively.
BEN MCKENDRY
AARON – (Keep) USL Player of the Year for ThunderCaps. I am very high on this player and would love to see him get minutes if the team gets rid of Teibert, Koffie and Flores. Could be a back up to Laba on the first team.
MICHAEL – (Keep) Robbo rates him very highly and had plans for him in the summer before injury thwarted those. He started a little tentatively in USL but soon burst out and was playing really well. He’ll make his MLS debut next year, then he needs to grab the brass ring when he does, as he has a lot of competition at his position and he’s not getting any younger.
STEVE – (Keep) Was voted as WFC2 player of the year and was improving before an injury ended his season.
NICOLAS MEZQUIDA
AARON – (Keep) Injuries ruined his season. Was the best player on this team for a good 5 to 6 week run when Morales was injured.
MICHAEL – (Keep) Felt that this was a make or break one for Mezquida in Vancouver. He certainly made it! Shame that an injury ended his season early as he seems the key to unlocking Rivero. The link up between those pair and Techera is a joy to watch. Hopefully more to come.
STEVE – (Keep) Had a tough time dealing with injuries late into the season but when he played as a number 10 for Morales, the Caps didn’t lose too much.
PEDRO MORALES (ALREADY RE-SIGNED)
AARON – (Keep) Let’s hope he keeps healthy.
MICHAEL – (Keep) He says he’s not worried about his injuries. Robbo says that as well. Wish I felt the same way. Felt a disappointing season for Pedro after his spectacular first year in MLS. Can still spray a ball better than nearly everyone in the league. Need to see that back to the max in 2016.
STEVE – (Keep) After signing an extension there is no way Morales is not coming back, but as their most talented player he needs to avoid getting run down as the season went on.
MAURO ROSALES
AARON – (Trade) Not enough offensive return for his high salary. Yes, experience and leadership is good to have, but this is a salary cap league, like it or not.
MICHAEL – (Release) Tough one for me, as listeners to the podcast know how highly I rate Rosales for what he brings both on and off the pitch. As he told us in our latest podcast (Ep 134), he wants to stay. Took a paycut from $400,000 to $265,000 guaranteed for this season. Would need to take about $100,000 off that for me to keep him around. I’d like them to come to a deal as he definitely has value to the team. Just sense they won’t be able to.
STEVE – (Release) The elder statesman is on a very high salary and unless he takes a big paycut, I can’t see him returning next season.
CRISTIAN TECHERA
AARON – (Keep) Had a great season and will only be better getting a preseason camp in with this team.
MICHAEL – (Keep) One of, if not the, player of the second half of the season. Hopefully ‘Caps have a set transfer fee for him as I think he’s going to be even better in MLS next year.
STEVE – (Keep) Unless there is a large transfer fee needed to bring him back there is doubt Techera should return next season.
RUSSELL TEIBERT
AARON – (Trade) If he isn’t good enough to be a consistent MLS starter and earn quality MLS minutes, might be time to move on from Teibert.
MICHAEL – (Trade) I’d release him but ‘Caps would want to get something for him is he was to move on. For me, he’s not MLS starting quality right now and he won’t get there if he doesn’t play. He needs to move on, best outside of North America, to be a starter somewhere for his own development. Far better options in ‘Caps squad for the positions he can play. He’s reached a fork in the road.
STEVE – (Keep) I was surprised he didn’t get as much playing time down the stretch but the Caps still hope his long term future is with Vancouver.
FORWARDS:
CALEB CLARKE
AARON – (Trade/Sell) I would say Keep but he would at best be a USL only player. Don’t think he will settle for that.
MICHAEL – (Release) This was the make or break season for Clarke. He looked okay at USL level but not MLS quality right now. We don’t know for sure as he never saw a single minute there. I feel he’s gone as far as he can with the ‘Caps right now.
STEVE – (Release) He played this season with WFC2, had moments, and may be looking to return to Germany next year.
ROBERT EARNSHAW
AARON – (Keep) Was way under used this season. Would be that experience factor if they let Rosales go.
MICHAEL – (Release but happy to keep around) You wonder just how he, and the ‘Caps, would have done if he’d played more. Was strange how Robbo used him this year, but to be fair, when he did play (in Champions League), he looked a step off. But give him a chance and he’s the Whitecap striker I’d back most to score. Cheap value at $100,000 so I wouldn’t be too averse to him hanging around for his experience if he performs, but likely to head back to lower league club in UK and to work on his coaching qualifications.
STEVE – (Release) As with Mattocks below, the striker position needs to improve and Earnshaw is on his last legs.
ERIK HURTADO
AARON – (Keep) Give him a training camp to see what he learned when he got sent to Norway on loan. If he struggles, release him.
MICHAEL – (Trade) Dreadful season for Hurtado, who seems to have gone backwards. Loaned to Norway but ended up riding the pine as his team got relegated. The plan is for him to come back to preseason camp but his time in Vancouver must surely be running out. I genuinely believe that his performances, and goals, in that hot streak he was on in 2014 will see interest from others in MLS for some kind of trade, even if just for allocation or a draft pick.
STEVE – (Release) Another player who needs to move on in order clear both a roster spot and some, limited, cap space.
ANDRE LEWIS
AARON – (Release) Too injury prone. Not strong enough for the MLS.
MICHAEL – (Release) He has speed, he has skills, but he’s not going to be a MLS player for the ‘Caps so no point continuing with him.
STEVE – (Release) See Hurtado. Plus he takes up an international spot.
DARREN MATTOCKS
AARON – (Trade) Maybe he could just play for Jamaica year round. Seems to only score for his national team.
MICHAEL – (Trade) I’ve had him leaving for three years now I think! His highest trade value was going to be in the summer after the Gold Cup. Stock has fallen again but many teams still rate him highly. He’ll probably now excel elsewhere.
Caleb Porter still loves him, so let’s keep those Mattocks for Will Johnson trade rumours rumbling, or to Houston for Bruin.
STEVE – (Trade) The Whitecaps need to find a way to move Mattocks on to improve the back-up striker position, even if the return isn’t at full value.
OCTAVIO RIVERO
AARON – (Keep) Hit a wall and struggled for a long part of the season. Will be more comfortable next season and hopefully he has help up top.
MICHAEL – (Keep) Rivero’s not going anywhere. He was very self critical after season and promises better production. Highest workrate on the team and left on an island up front at times, but he needs to be pushed. Robbo’s going to bring in at least one more striker. I expect two or three. If the formation doesn’t change it could be to replace Rivero as the starter. Then does he want to hang around and fight?
STEVE – (Keep) Rivero needs another season to see if he can become a consistent scorer especially with a potential payoff down the road. Needs competition at the spot.
*********
So there’s our thoughts on the Whitecaps midfielders and forwards from the season past. Do you agree or are we talking nonsense? Let us know below!
Read Further on AFTN.ca
