Football Season Guide

Having endured their second worst season as an MLS franchise, Vancouver Whitecaps will be looking to the new campaign with renewed optimism as they hope to get back into the playoffs mix come the end of the regular season. Vancouver had won the neutrals' hearts with some excellent displays in a historic 2015 season which saw them finish second and third in the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield standings respectively while also lifting their first major trophy following their triumph in the Canadian Championship. Coach Carl Robinson had put together a pacy and young roster but the wheels fell off last season for Vancouver as they struggled to repeat their form from the previous campaign, finishing eighth in the Western Conference, seven points short of a playoff spot. Robinson had revealed that there would be a significant participation in the transfer market during the off-season and Vancouver have been busy trying to improve their strength and depth as they let go a number of players who were part of the first team picture. The biggest departure is that of their creative hub in Pedro Morales, with Vancouver deciding not to exercise their option while newer recruits from last season such as Fraser Aird, Blas Perez, Jordan Smith, Masato Kudo and Giles Barnes have also left the club. Sheanon Williams has been brought in from Houston Dynamo and the defender is expected to be the first choice at right back position while Brek Shea will provide some flexibility down the left flank, though Vancouver already have two solid options on the left side of the defense in Marcel de Jong and Jordan Harvey. Tim Parker and Kendall Waston's form will be key for their campaign though, with the duo struggling to have the same amount of impact last season compared to the previous campaign and their loss of form was the major reason for Vancouver ending the season with the second worst defensive record in the Western Conference. Vancouver's search for a reliable goalscoring striker continues and they have brought in Fredy Montero on loan from Tianjin Teda though the striker is not expected to be fit in time for the season opener against Philadelphia Union. The midfield and attack will see some familiar faces though with Christian Bolanos, Kekuta Manneh and Nicolas Mezquida expected to play just behind the striker and the trio will be ably supported by Cristian Techera and Yordy Reyna while Alphonso Davies could enjoy a breakout season after impressing in the few appearances in the last campaign. Andrew Jacobson and Matias Laba will be the preferred central midfield combination for Robinson though it is one area where they are a bit light with Russell Teibert the only tried and tested backup for the duo. With LA Galaxy going through a season of transition and Sporting Kansas City having struggled in their first two seasons since returning back to the Western Conference, a place in the playoffs is a realistic target for Vancouver though much will depend on whether Montero will turn into a reliable source of goals and on how well the defense plays for Robinson.