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September 12, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C. - The 12-9-5 Whitecaps FC kicked off their home-stand with a monumental victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday night at B.C. Place. The Caps used a dominant second half to come away with a 3-2 victory. Fullback Jake Nerwinski played a huge part in the Vancouver win with a pair of assists. The 22 year-old rookie is showing that he deserves to have his name slotted into Carl Robinson's lineup every time out.
Robinson was delighted with Nerwinski's play, against what was a difficult opponent. Real Salt Lake offers challenges with shifty, creative, and speedy wingers. Nerwinski put in the work on, and off the pitch leading into the match, and it made all the difference.
"He probably had his best game for me," said Robinson. "When you’re playing against (Jefferson) Savarino and (Joao) Plata, you know they’ve been on fire Salt Lake. When you’re playing against a team that’s a really good counterattacking team, they like the ball, everything runs through Kyle (Beckerman), who’s still going strong at his old age. The two wide players are very, very dangerous. We challenged him and we showed him some video work this week to make him be prepared for two top players out wide. He defended very well. I think the one mistake he made he ended up getting a yellow card, which was a simple hook him, but he took him inside and it was a smart tactical foul, so he’s learning. Credit to him."
Whitecaps FC looked dangerous especially up the right flank. Real Salt Lake had no answer for Bernie Ibini, and Nerwinski. The chemistry formed between the Lawrencville, New Jersey, native, and Australian international has come naturally.
"I haven't played too many games with him yet," said an honest Nerwinski. "I think we're really starting to understand each other, in training we're starting to get to know each other better. He's a good player to play with, he's easy to play with. He's always open for me, and he's always helping me out."
If you are going to get forward as a fullback, it's of utmost importance that you track back, and make sure you don't get caught on the counter-attack when the opposition is advancing. It can take a defender years to master that balance. Nerwinski is already showing that he's capable of finding the right opportunity to jump into the attack.
"It's really about picking your moments," Nerwinski said. "When I think I can get forward without really being exposed at defence, and that's when I'm going to go. It's not like I can't run forward every time, without being exposed. It's kind of picking your moments."
Vancouver selected Jake Nerwinski 7th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, it wasn't the easiest transition for the east coast kid. Whitecaps FC also brought in Sheanon Williams during the off-season, and he was expected to get the bulk of minutes at right-back. Following Williams off the pitch incident in June, Nerwinski has taken over the role.
"You know, I'm not sure yet," Nerwinski said, when asked if he has solidified himself at right-back. "That's up to the gaffer. It's not up to me to say. When I get my chance to play, I'm just trying to help the team win, and that's what I'm going to do."
When a young player gets a chance to show what he can do, some take that chance and thrive, while others falter. Nerwinski has earned 12 starts at right back, and he doesn't want to relinquish his spot in the lineup to anyone.
He's playing as though he has something to prove with Williams lurking.
"Oh yeah," said Nerwinski. "The gaffer says, 'competition brings out the best in everybody,' and I think that's what it's doing for me right now. Sheanon's (Williams) a great player, and he's been helping me the whole time through my rookie year. At the same time, we're kind of going against each other, and that's helping us both play well."
As Vancouver gets set to play Minnesota United FC on Wednesday night, and Columbus Crew SC on Saturday night, Nerwinski is sure to find his name penciled into Carl Robinson's lineup. He's having fun and prepared to go again for another full ninety.
"Hey, if my name is called, yeah, I'll be ready," said an enthusiastic Nerwinski.
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