Whitecaps want improved, no-nonsense defence vs. Rapids
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps have scored an average of 2.2 goals over their last four games, enough to win most Major League Soccer matches.
Problem is, over the same span the Whitecaps have also allowed an average 2.2 goals, resulting in Vancouver settling for four consecutive draws.
Early in the season Vancouver struggled to score goals. Now the Whitecaps are finding the back of the net but are being penalized by giving up goals due to some sloppy defensive work.
It’s a situation the Whitecaps hope to change Friday night when they play the Colorado Rapids on the road.
"Usually a team that scores two or three goals gets the win," midfielder Felipe said after training this week. "From our own mistakes we are giving away points, because of giveaways and some mistakes in the back."
The Whitecaps have won once in their last nine games (1-4-4) and head into the weekend below the playoff line sitting seventh in the Western Conference with 17 points.
Recent results have been a mixed bag for Vancouver. The Whitecaps have come from behind four times for the tie, twice scoring late in injury time.
Head coach Carl Robinson likes the character his side has shown but has sprouted grey hairs over some of his team’s defensive lapses.
"It shows we are not far away," Robinson said. "We’ve had lots of good days recently, but we haven’t picked up as many points as we would have liked because we’ve made individual errors.
"What we need to do is cut out the nonsense of the individual mistakes and the silly goals, and then try and take our chances. We are sitting probably where we deserve to be based on the chances we’ve missed as well as the bad goals we have given up."
Felipe said going a goal down changes the game plan.
"We have to be more calm in certain areas and absorb the pressure other teams are giving us," he said. "Most of the games this year we have been down and then you have to chase the game. You have to go away form your game plan a little bit."
Vancouver also needs to be better around the opposition net. During May, the Whitecaps led MLS with 75 scoring chances, according to Opta, the group that keeps league statistics. They also led the league in the category of big chances missed (12).
Robinson is confident the goals will come.
"I believe if we continue to go the way we are going, keep working, we will score five or six goals against someone," he said. "Just be patient."
Colorado started the season 2-1-2 but have then spiralled down the table with six consecutive defeats. Four of those losses have been by one goal.
"Our spirits are high," head coach Anthony Hudson told the Rapids website. "The players believe. We know the gap we have to make up.
"We’ve had a real tough period. We know they (Vancouver) are a real good team but a team we feel we can do well against."
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VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (4-5-5) AT COLORADO RAPIDS (2-7-2)
Friday, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: The Whitecaps will play their first game without centre back and team captain Kendall Waston, who has joined Costa Rica’s World Cup team.
HENRY’S RETURN: Canadian centre back Doneil Henry is back with the Whitecaps have being loaned to Ottawa Fury FC of the USL. He will be in the mix to replace Waston.
HE’S NOT BACK: Several Whitecaps are on the limp. Goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic (sprained knee) will miss his fifth game. Defender Marcel de Jong (hamstring) is listed as day-to-day. Striker Kei Kamara (undisclosed) is "touch and go."
ROCKY ROAD: The Whitecaps are 2-4-1 on the road this year.
COLORADO LOW: The Rapids have lost six straight games and are tied for last in the MLS Western Conference with Seattle with eight points. Colorado is 2-3-1 at home.
THE BUG REWARDED: Vancouver midfielder Cristian Techera, nicknamed The Bug, was named the MLS Player of the Week for scoring three goals in last Saturday 3-3 draw with New England.
