CAPS & RAPIDS MAKE DEAL

The Whitecaps made a minor non-player trade that will allow them to keep an additional international player on the roster for next year.  In the trade the Caps sent an undisclosed amount of allocation money to the Colorado Rapids for a 2^nd round pick in 2014 and an international roster spot for the next three years.  Each team in MLS has eight roster spots for players that aren’t domestic which for Vancouver include Canadian and American players.  

All the teams receive the same amount of allocation with extra amounts going to expansion, non-playoff and CONCACAF championship league teams.  The Whitecaps only sent out allocation once last year in the Jordan Harvey acquisition and then picked some up in the Shea Salinas trade.  The Caps would have also received  the most due to being at the bottom of the MLS table in their first season.

ANOTHER RAILHAWK SIGNS WITH THE CAPS

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced the signing of Jun Marques Davidson, another Carolina alum that played under Martin Rennie.  A five year veteran of the J League in Japan, Davidson is dual American/Japanese citizen allowing the Caps to count him as a domestic player.  His primary position throughout his career has been as a defensive midfielder, a spot that the Caps lack depth.

Born in Japan to American parents Davidson returned to the States for high school after which he returned to Japan to play for Omiya Ardija in division 2.  He remained with the club for an additional two seasons after they gained promotion to the J. League in 2005.  After bouncing around with four club in three seasons in Japan, Davidson returned to United States to sign with Carolina and Rennie in 2009. 

CAPS ADD FIVE PLAYERS TO CAMP ROSTER

It was a busy day for the Whitecaps as they added a potential five player to their 2012 MLS roster through a signing, trade and draft.  The day started with the signing of former Railhawk goalkeeper Brad Knighton and ended with a trade that brought 2011 NASL MVP, another Railhawk, Etienne Barbara’s rights from the Montreal Impact with a draft sandwiched in between.

While Brad Knighton is coming from the NASL, he has spent the majority of his career in MLS spending time with New England and the expansion Philadelphia Union.  His first three seasons, including a short loan with Portland, after college were spent with the Revolution where he saw only six starts in three seasons.  He was selected by the Union in the expansion draft but did not see his first action until late in the season and only appeared in eight games.

2012 MLS DRAFT PREVIEW

The Vancouver Whitecaps enter their second MLS SuperDraft with a new regime hoping to collect a couple of pieces that can make some impact on the sophomore season.  The main difference from last year to this year’s draft is that instead of Tom Soehn, Martin Rennie will be making the final call on the draft picks made by Vancouver.  Rennie has attended previous combines looking for diamonds in the rough, passed on by MLS, for his Carolina Railhawks side but will be armed this time with the second overall pick.

2011 Draft Review

The 2011 draft saw the Whitecaps select a future project with a higher ceiling in Omar Salgado instead of going for a possible immediate return, bypassing defender Perry Kitchen.  The only other option was Darlington Nagbe but his apparent refusal to play north of the border removed him from the board.  There were flashes of skill displayed by Salgado in his limited playing time coming off the bench as a late game substitute.  However when he did get a start the teenager looked physically overmatched and frustrated by the often lack of service.

EXPANSION DRAFT PREVIEW

The Vancouver Whitecaps have released one player and signed a homegrown so far this offseason but Martin Rennie’s first step to strengthening the 2012 roster will come with the expansion draft.  Rennie knew the eleven players he would protect by the end of the post season training session but transactions before the draft could change that.  A number of teams would be unable to protect all the players they want and may not want to lose them for nothing.  The Caps could also make deals with the Impact before or after the draft for players they feel will upgrade their level of talent.

EXEMPT

Bryce Alderson

Philippe Davies

Nizar Khalfan

Michael Nanchoff

Omar Salgado

Brian Sylvestre

Russell Teibert

Of these players who are exempted due to being Generation Adidas or Homegrown players only Salgado, Teibert and Alderson should be considered untouchable as the others have questions.  One of those questions is if Michael Nanchoff fits in Rennie’s 4-3-3 formation at wing or in the central midfield.  Nizar Khalfan is taking up an international slot and will Rennie want to use that spot on a new acquisition somewhere else on the pitch.  A couple of residency players that may interest the Impact are Quebecer Phillipe Davies and Kyle Porter, who trailed with Montreal but MLS rights are owned by Vancouver.  Both players would help the Impact with Canadian quota numbers as they wait for their academy to bring in their homegrown talent.

Colorado Rapids vs WhitecapsFC Match Preview

The Vancouver Whitecaps will attempt to end their season the same way they began it with a win at home in front of their supporters.  They take on the 2010 defending champion in the Colorado Rapids who earlier in the season defeated the Caps at home by a score of 2-1. 

FC Dallas vs Whitecaps FC Match Preview

After winning two matches in a row for the first time this season, the Whitecaps look for another first as they travel to Dallas for a chance for their first road win.  This will be their last opportunity this season as they try to avoid a winless season away from their home pitch.  The two clubs met earlier in the season with FC Dallas coming back in the second half to secure a 2-1 victory in a match where they lost their 2010 MVP Davide Ferriera to a season ending injury.

D.C. United vs Whitecaps FC Match Preview

The Vancouver Whitecaps attempt to win two in a row and avenge their worst loss of the season as they take on D.C. United in BC Place.  The Caps in the first meeting was close at halftime but three second half goals by DCU and the end result was a 4-0 defeat.  While the Caps look to have a winning streak for the first time this season, the visitors from the east are still in playoff contention and are desperate for points.

Real Salt Lake vs Whitecaps FC Match Preview

After a disappointing result and performance in their debut on the BC Place pitch, the Vancouver Whitecaps hope for better results against a depleted Real Salt Lake club.  This match is a makeup date for the original one that was rained out when a temporary grass field was deemed unplayable by MLS.  The two teams faced each in June where RSL dominated the Caps at Rio Tinto and came away with a 2-0 victory.

Portand Timbers vs Whitecaps FC Match Preview

The Vancouver Whitecaps debut at the newly renovated B.C. Place against their expansion cousins and Cascadia rival Portland Timbers.  Their last meeting ended up with the Timbers defeating the Caps by a score of 2-1 as the home side scored their goals early with the Caps adding a late one by Camilo.  While the Timbers are fighting for the playoffs in their first season, the Caps continue to play the spoiler role and attempt to earn some respect in the MLS.