VANCOUVER, B.C - Pedro Morales made his long-awaited return to the Vancouver Whitecaps last night against the San Jose Earthquakes. The Chilean midfielder came on as a second half substitute and played 22 minutes in Vancouver's 3-1 victory. Morales has been working his way back from a small tear in his left calf that left him on the sidelines for seven weeks and much longer than first anticipated.
Carl Robinson talked about how good it was to have Morales come on for a spell against San Jose.
"It was good. I didn’t want to play him that long. I wanted to get him on and as soon as the crowd saw him warming up, they got excited. That put a little bit of pressure on me to get him on. I wanted to give him five to 10 minutes because he is not there yet."
The Whitecaps skipper first picked up his calf injury during the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal against FC Edmonton on Wednesday, May 20. At first Morales didn't think anything of the pain he felt. Like any footballer he tried to play through his injury and for the most part that seemed to be working. Morales endured more pain in Montreal on June 3, when he played 13' minutes as a substitute. As Morales explains, the pain kept returning and eventually it was impossible to run. An MRI in New York was needed and so began the extensive grind back to full recovery.
"I felt pain in Edmonton, when we played in Edmonton. In 90' minutes I felt a little pain, but not enough to stop. I felt good in training. After I think we went to Montreal, I feel pain again, I felt more tight. The most pain in the moment, I think was in LA. In LA when we played against the Galaxy, I feel my calf tight, pain in the first half. In the second half it's impossible running more. When we came back to training after the five days free, I came back feeling good for training on Saturday. I felt good in training, but a little more tight. On Monday and Thursday it was impossible for me to train. I go to New York, I go to the doctor for an MRI and they tell me the injury is close to torn. I had treatment for this and I remember I came back to training before New England on Friday before playing on Saturday, but it was pain again and tight."
During his absence Morales spent a lot of time with his family and his young boys. He would often be at training running laps with Pa-Modou Kah while both players worked at slowing recovering from their calf injuries. It can be a difficult and frustrating journey when you're unable to compete. Morales was pleased to see the team playing well in his absence. Vancouver started off with road victories over New York and New England, but failed to pick up wins against Colorado, Sporting Kansas City, and Portland. All in all, it would be 7/15 points picked up.
Vancouver scored six goals during Morales five-matches missed. Carl Robinson's team has adopted a scoring by committee role which emphasis contributions by everyone on the pitch and not just one star goal poacher. Octavio Rivero leads the Whitecaps with 8 goals this season followed by Manneh with 4, Mattocks and Morales have 3 each. During the current transfer window some have speculated that Vancouver might be interested in bringing in help in the scoring department. Morales believes the Whitecaps have the talent within the current squad to score goals. The options are plenty and it's all down to luck, finishing chances, and occasionally getting a good bounce.
"I don't know, it's not my decision. We have too many players for forward. Erik (Hurtado), Darren (Mattocks), Techera, Nico (Mezquida), Kianz (Froese), so many options. I think it's not my decision. Maybe sometimes you need to be more lucky for scoring goals. Maybe the goals are coming now."
In his year and a half with the Whitecaps, Morales has scored a combined 13 goals and added 16 assists. He is a magician with the ball and a play maker that finds his teammates to create offense. A healthy Morales provides an instant flare of dynamics with the ball. He has the talent and ability to do a lot of special things on the pitch that others can't accomplish. Currently, Morales is out of contract following this season. His 2015 MLS Guaranteed Compensation is $1.410.900. That puts Morales 16th among MLS players for salaries this season. While his contractual status for next season is uncertain, Morales isn't bothered as he reiterates his commitment and his focus to his health, the team and returning to form.
"I don't know, at this moment my head is not in for the contract right now. My head is for my calf, my body, for coming back to training. I need maybe two weeks more for talking with Robbo, but now the most important thing is the team, coming back to training and coming back to play."
The 30 year-old Morales would not comment on any negotiations with the Whitecaps organization.
"I don't know. It's a secret."
While Morales was injured he was able to keep tabs and follow Chile's amazing run at the 2015 Copa America. Chile was able to hold mighty Argentina scoreless for 120' minutes before dispatching Messi and friends on penalties to win Copa America on home soil on July 4. Morales has several friends on the Chile national team and was coached by Jorge Sampaoli while loaned out to Universidad de Chile in 2012.
"I'm very proud. All the players played together. The Coach (Jorge Sampaoli) is my coach before I leave go to Málaga FC and he's a very good coach. Good federation for the team. So many players play in Europe at the top-level. Like Vidal, Alexis, Valdivia, Medel, Jara. Aranguiz plays in Brazil (Internacional) now, maybe he'll go to Europe now. It's good for Chile, it's the first tournament a win. I think it's very good."
The tournament was a smashing success for Chile, but could have gone completely in another direction because of the drunk driving arrest of Arturo Vidal. The midfielder totalled his Ferrari and sustained minor injuries on June 16 outside the capital, Santiago. If not for his football prowess and amazing talent would Coach Sampaoli have kept Vidal on the Chile squad. Pedro Morales knows all about the football culture back home and gives his thoughts on the Vidal DUI.
"Yes. For me I don't know. It's a decision for the coach, for the President of Chile. Arturo is a very good player. Important for the team, but I think not a good example for the boys. (For) the people of Chile, it doesn't matter what the problem is. Maybe the people will not remember driving and drinking for Arturo Vidal, but just for scoring goals and winning the tournament."
It's been a whirlwind seven weeks for Morales as he has never previously be out injured for seven weeks. If his calf injury is 100% recovered his will be a terrific boost to the Whitecaps offense. The Caps may have just made a transfer window addition without actually making a move. Vancouver will also see the return of Darren Mattocks this week as he's back from Jamaica's brilliant run at the Gold Cup.
Notes: Kianz Froese will not play in Tuesday's MLS Homegrown match because of a left hamstring strain.
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