Whitecaps Roster Thread

Re: Whitecaps 2012 Roster [IN: Le Toux; TRIAL: Tercios]

Yup.

It's honestly hard for me to tell, since I've never seen how he was for Philadelphia. Against NASL-quality opposition he's amazing, but I feel like his position is the one where you get the least idea how he'd do at a higher level. The reactions I saw to his departure from the Union, though, suggest that he was well-liked there, which has me fairly optimistic about how he can do in MLS now after having had a little extra time to grow as a player.

 

Re: Whitecaps 2012 Roster [IN: Le Toux; TRIAL: Francis, Cregg]



That's some impressive vertical by Mattocks.

 

Re: Whitecaps 2012 Roster [IN: Le Toux; TRIAL: Francis, Cregg]

Mitchell's got pretty good springs too--saw that last year in the few games he played at the end. Nice to see Mattocks, especially since the WC were woeful in the air last year, especially in front of the opposition's goal. I saw the coaching staff had them doing crossing/heading drills first thing here in training camp.

 

Re: Whitecaps 2012 Roster [IN: Le Toux; TRIAL: Suley]

Looks like a very athletic, but raw talent. I wonder how he's been making out against proven MLS offensive threats like Le Toux, Hassli and Camilo, and against the speed of someone like Mattocks (?) Has anyone seen this guy at practice back here in Burnaby?

 

Re: Whitecaps 2012 Roster [IN: Le Toux; TRIAL: Suley]

Interesting tidbit about Suley: He's a Tommy Soehn find. See the clip below for Rennie's comments:

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2012/02/caps-back-vancouver

With the latest about the WC looking at Barry Robson and Bentley from the EPL, it'll be interesting who actually ends up here. Robson and Bentley would, at first glance, seem to be the fruits of Rennie's Christmas visit to the UK.

 

Re: Whitecaps 2012 Roster [IN: Le Toux; TRIAL: Suley]

True. But another offensive player. I'm still wondering who'll anchor the midfield defensively so these guys all have a free hand to go forward. I hope Davidson's as good as Rennie seems to think. Koffie's good, but he showed last year he needs help in the middle. I'm still waiting on a major defensive CM signing before I feel confident in the coming year. It'll be tough making the playoffs with the new format.

 

Re: Whitecaps 2012 Roster [IN: Le Toux; TRIAL: Suley]

Thorrington's more the offensive CM. Plus with his injury history and age, I don't see him playing 90 mins all year. Part of the reason he gets injured I think is he's a really aggressive player, but pretty small.

 

Re: Whitecaps 2012 Roster [IN: Le Toux; TRIAL: Suley]

Robson does a little of everything, he's precisely the player the Whitecaps were missing.

He makes them stronger offensive, and defensively.


This is a brilliant addition for the Whitecaps.

 

Re: Whitecaps 2012 Roster [IN: Le Toux; TRIAL: Tercios]

Those weren't all on him, that for sure.

Knighton showed some promise. Good shot stopper but I think his weakness is going to ground. He is pretty slow and his positioning is suspect

 

Not only did the Whitecaps just sign Robson but now linked with the big dog?
http://blogs.theprovince.com/2012/02/16/scottish-sun-caps-have-interest-in-u-s-captain-bocanegra/

Le Toux Hassli
Camilo Chiumiento
Robson Koffie
Rochat Bocanegra Demerit Lee
Cannon

We've got one of the dopest teams in the league on our hands here..^
I think if its necessary to sign Bocanegra as a DP (if the cap space is even still available), do it! It gives the team such a good mix of experience, youth, & all around depth & skill.

 

Far from a given, as the article says Bocanegra would have to go through an allocation process returning to the MLS that gives Montreal first dibs before Vancouver. And by all accounts the Impact are suffering at the back. Plus B has two years left on his contract at Rangers, and I assume he's a pretty important piece of their puzzle.

Rennie said they might be trialing two new guys when they head down to Florida. Any idea who they are?

 

Not sure that Bocanegra wants to be sent to Montreal. A guy of his stature would be more likely to name his own terms with the league. If he is to come back to the MLS, I can see the same scenario that was done for Brian McBride - the player decides where he wants to play, and the league forces a trade between his team of choice and the team first in line of the allocation process.

 

Rangers are looking at administration so the contract situation doesnt mean much if Rangers must get rid of some players because of financial issues. Also, I'd like to say Montreal is not "suffering" at the back. They have decent left back options in Wahl & Gardner while they have Wenger, Rivas, & Burling as CB possibilities. Rivas is having slight injury concerns but they are close to signing another who is 32 year old Matteo Ferrari. I just wanted to respond to those points.
Jay Demerit supposedly talked to Carlos & Boca said he wasnt leaving atleast until next year. This again could change because he wont know much on what Rangers actually intend to do to fix any their situation..

 

I was thinking mainly of the injury to Rivas when I said they were hurting at the back. I've heard through media reports that he may be out for a number of months (?). And you're right, the situation with Rangers is tricky, as the coaching staff are not calling the shots. That said, Boca's been quoted on the Rangers website calling on everyone to pull together to help ride things out, and if the new financial managers have any brains, they'll cut FO staff and lesser players to sav money before they move an international calibre starting center back. The team needs to remain competitive, after all, if it wants to climb out of the current troubles.

Having said all that, when money talks and you have non-football people calling shots, I agree anything can happen if the price is right. And the WC owners have deep pockets and have shown a willingness to spend if it makes the team better. See their settlement of the Jarju situation.

 

And frankly I'd be *really* disappointed in any rule that means a classy guy like him has to either not be in our league or get stuck playing for the Impact.

 

What I heard from the radio today was that Impact had acquired Eddy Johnson through the allocation process and now has dropped to the bottom of the priority list. Which means that Caps are the first in the allocation process.

But then again, Rangers do want to maintain their squad to remain competitive and therefore they will not be selling or releasing their best players.

 

I wonder if Robles would be a possibility... The only US players that would return through allocation anytime soon that vancouver could be interested in would probably be a defender or goalkeeper. I expect Cannon to step up & Knighton has potential aswell but they could be interested. Bornstein would be ideal but unfortunately for Vancouver would not go through allocation due to the fact Portland has his rights..

 

Estridge and Fontein are both gone. The roster is now down to 34 players.

 

Cannon
Rochat, Bonjour, Demerit YP Lee
Chiumiento Davidson Harris
Camilo, Hassli, Le Toux

Mattocks (for Hassli) and Koffie (for Chiumiento) will probably also play coming off the bench. Thorington for Davidson if he's healthy but doesn't look good....