VANCOUVER, B.C. - Whitecaps FC's long tenured player has seen a lot of highs and lows with the Caps. Former residency product, Russell Teibert made his MLS debut when Vancouver joined MLS in 2011. The Canadian international is still going strong with Whitecaps FC in his 8th season with Vancouver.
The 25 year-old, Teibert, has been a bright spot in a crowded midfield. Often known as 'Canadian Soccer Jesus", Teibert is currently in a run of form that has his name consistently penciled into the starting eleven next to MLS veteran, Felipe.
Teibert has played in 14 games this season, and started in 9 games. He's picked up 2 assists which ties him for second in his career season assist total. Teibert has already played more minutes this season (863), than he has in both 2017, and 2016.
"I feel confident this year," Teibert told RedNation Online following training on Friday. "I feel happy and comfortable with the team that we have. I feel like I have to consistently keep proving myself here, and I feel at times I have deserved a starting spot, and I've deserved to keep it. The manager rewarded me by putting me in the second forty-five the last game. I just want to carry on doing the things I've been doing all season long, that's put me in this position. I hope that answers your question."
The Canadian Championship is usually when Teibert makes the most of his appearances, but that hasn't been the only competition where Coach Carl Robinson has relied heavily on Teibert. Injuries and suspensions to the likes of Jordon Mutch, Effy Juarez, and Felipe have meant that Teibert has played a full 90 minutes in 2 of 4 previous MLS matches. Teibert also came on at halftime vs New York Red Bulls on Saturday, August 18.
"He's been brilliant, he really has." Robinson said of Teibert. "He's stepped up his game, we've seen it in patches. What we haven't seen is the consistency, and that's not just Rusty. That's a number of players, and the reason why I rotate the squad. I think you've seen a very comfortable Rusty in possession. We know his work rate is phenomenal, we know his tactical understanding of the game is exceptional, but he's taken a grip of the game with the ball now. He's playing forward a lot more, he's playing these killer incisive passes which I'm challenging him to. If he does that, then he'll continue to be in the team."
The Niagara Falls, Ontario native, has always been known as a strong defensive oriented midfielder, with strong tackles, great positioning and a fantastic work rate. It's been his offensive side of the game that's needed to develop. Teibert has started to show more offensive creativity. This is some of the same flare, Teibert showed in 2013 when he had a career year playing with Kenny Miller, and Camilo Sanvezzo. Teibert scored 2 goals, and picked up 9 assists in Coach Martin Rennie's final season with Whitecaps FC.
"Yeah, I'm not really getting consistent time though." Teibert disagreed. "I've started 9 games this year. It's not consistent, but the games that I have come in, taken my chances, and deserved to play again. Regardless of whether the guys are injured, healthy, or suspended, that doesn't change my approach towards the game. It doesn't change who I am, and I'll always keep working hard."
Playing next to Felipe has given Whitecaps FC two strong central midfielders that both know the tendencies of MLS's top attacking threats. They can play off each other, and defend the back-four when needed. Although he is in his first season with Vancouver. Felipe has long admired Russell Teibert, and he is enjoying playing next to him.
"I think Rusty is a guy who works so hard." Felipe explained. "It's a lot of quality on the passes. He makes the game easier for anyone that plays next to him, for me it's no different. It's a pleasure to play with those guys. I think he's been great for us. He has grown a lot since the beginning of the year. I've watched him over the years, and I think he's a big part of this organization, and he's getting the respect he deserves."
As Whitecaps FC head down to play the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night at Avaya Stadium. They're going to need a strong effort, not just from Teibert, and Felipe but from everyone.
San Jose are an MLS worst 3-13-8 with a shocking 1-5-5 record at home, but they're certainly not pushovers. They'll want to play playoff spoiler to the 9-9-7 Caps. Vancouver needs every point they can get if they are to climb out of 8th position in the western conference to at least 6th position and a possible playoff spot.
Whitecaps FC have never won in San Jose.
How will the Whitecaps FC avoid slipping on a 'banana skin' and dropping points?
"By not listening to you guys, because it's a trap match for us." Robinson quickly countered. "It really is. People will assume and think automatically that we should go and get three points, but football doesn't work that way. It works in mysterious ways, but not in that way. We won't take anything for granted."
There is no mystery here. The top six teams in each MLS conference will make the playoffs. Vancouver are currently out of the playoff picture. It would be an epic mystery if San Jose was to turn up and take all three points at home against a desperate, and hungry Vancouver Whitecaps FC side that needs a positive result and a run of form.
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