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VANCOUVER, B.C. - Sun's out, but it's not quite guns out for Whitecaps FC. While Vancouver is in the midst of a heat warning advisory. You won't find the Caps at Kitsilano Beach soaking up the rays, and enjoying a cool, delicious ice cream.
"When the sun is out, what do you want to do...?" Carl Robinson asked reporters this week. "You want to go and spend time in the sun. You can't, the reality is, you get paid to play football and you have to conduct yourself like a professional player. Even though the sun is out on Kits Beach as we talked about. That won't be an issue. We'll deal with one game at a time. We know it's a hard schedule coming up. We've got a lot of games."
Vancouver is coming off a 5-2 victory over Orlando City SC on June 9 at B.C. Place. The Caps are flying high with a recent 2-0-4 record that has them sitting 4th in the western conference. The forecast looks bright with no signs of a familiar summertime swoon.
"I think two years ago we were talking about the summer months," Robinson recalled. "We made a big focus on it, and we started getting results in the summer. When the sun comes out, you've got to put smiles on people's faces."
The 6-5-5 Whitecaps have been putting smiles on the faces of Caps supporters. It's taken some time for chemistry to form, but the proof is in the results. Vancouver has started to convert the many chance they've created in the last month and a half. That's a major factor why the Caps are having success when previously they weren't as fortunate.
As Vancouver gets set to travel to the city of 'Brotherly Love,' for a Saturday afternoon showdown with the 5-7-3 Philadelphia Union, it's important they keep on rolling.
How does the Caps gaffer expect his team to do that after the MLS World Cup break?
"Just get back to work." Robinson said, confidently. "I've got a really good group of players. I'm very lucky to work with these guys everyday. We challenge them. We put pressure on them, we make them work hard. When you get some chemistry in the team, and we've certainly got a lot of chemistry at the moment. Then you take a step back, and you continue to do what things have been successful for you, and we've been successful the last few games."
While Vancouver has dialed up the offence during a six-match unbeaten streak that's featured 16 goals. They've also had moments where they have been caught out defensively. Keeping clean sheets, closing the door, and playing a fully switched on match is imperative going forward. Caps wing-back Marcel de Jong, has regained full fitness following a hamstring injury he picked up on May 26 vs New England.
"I think mostly concentration." de Jong said, when asked about the Caps lapses. "I think especially the second goal, the last one against Orlando. The game was basically over, but it's not the right time to do those mistakes. Yeah, it is, what it is. We need to keep focus for ninety-five minutes. That's what's going to help us."
If mistakes continue, is there enough talent and depth for Whitecaps FC to out-score mistakes?
"Uhhh... I don't know," de Jong said, as he formulated his thoughts. "Every game is different. We've had a couple of game where we had tons of chances, didn't score, and the other team scored. It's hard, especially for the defence, if you have so many chances and don't score. The pressure is on the defence, they can't concede. You have to be extra, extra concentrated. Yeah, I don't really know what to say. Yeah, it's just focus. If we score lots of goals, yeah, obviously we win."
The list of teams that can out-score their mistakes is as long as your pinky finger. Those quality types of clubs don't yet exist in Major League Soccer. The big clubs of Europe can score at will. Whitecaps FC can't, and thus they have to minimize defensive mistakes.
Having first choice number one goalkeeper, Stefan Marinovic healthy and back in action will add to the Caps defensive ability. The New Zealand shot-stopper is getting closer to returning to action, but a concrete return to play date has not been pencilled in.
"He was on the field today (Tuesday), which is a positive." Robinson said, of Marinovic. "When I saw him on Friday, I had a good old chat with him, a nice strong chat. We need him back. We've got a lot of games coming up in the next two months especially. I need two experienced goalkeepers. That chat probably did good, because he's out on the field today, but I still expect him to be a week or two."
The mercury is climbing and so is Whitecaps FC's on pitch success. It's taken some time, but Vancouver is finally showing their full potential and capabilities. Consistency in picking up results, and positive performances is what the Caps aim to keep on doing.
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