Prepared by Michael McColl
Vancouver Whitecaps:
Last Season: 5th in West. Lost in first round of playoffs
Additions:
Paulo Araujo Jr (FW) - 2012 Re-Entry Draft
Tom Heinemann (FW) - free agent
Corey Hertzog (FW) - free agent
Erik Hurtado (FW) - 2013 SuperDraft
Daigo Kobayashi (MF) - free agent
Johnny Leverón (DF) - free agent
Kekuta Manneh (FW) - 2013 SuperDraft
Nigel Reo-Coker (MF) - free agent
Brad Rusin (DF) - transfer from HB Koge in Denmark
Departures:
Etienne Barbara (FW)
Martin Bonjour (DF)
Atiba Harris (FW)
Michael Nanchoff (MF)
Barry Robson (MF)
Brian Sylvestre (GK)
John Thorrington (MF)
Tiago Ullises (MF)
2012 Overview:
Vancouver made history by becoming the first Canadian team to make the playoffs in Major League Soccer. It was a short lived journey, with a 2-1 defeat away to eventual MLS Cup winners Los Angeles Galaxy in the first playoff round, but the journey itself saw the team make huge strides on the previous year.
Having finished their inaugural 2011 MLS season with the worst record in the League, the Whitecaps went with a managerial change and Martin Rennie's unique style of motivational coaching saw immediate results, but the team was clearly still a work in progress.
The transformation in the squad was huge, with 18 players coming in over the year and 18 departing.
The first thing Rennie wanted to see was the team becoming tighter at the back. His offseason tinkering worked wonders from the off and Vancouver set the record for the longest start to a MLS season without conceding a goal - 427 minutes.
The first half of the season is what saw the Whitecaps claim that playoff spot, recording 67% of their points total in the first 17 games.
As the season went on, Vancouver struggled, especially on the road and they won only one of their last 13 games away from home. They played a very defensive game on the road and were so rigid that when they fell behind, they were unable to change shape and tactics to get themselves back into matches.
Some disastrous mid season squad reshuffling cost the team harmony and creativity and they limped home in the end. It's a mistake which the club have already said will not be repeated this year.
2013 Squad and Expectations:
The Whitecaps cannot rest on their laurels and neither can they afford to be seen to be taking a step backwards.
That means making the postseason again has to be the main goal.
Martin Rennie has continued to reshape the Whitecaps into his team, with many of the old hands and underperformers being moved on, with the Scot bringing in more players that suit his chosen playing style.
Brad Knighton established himself as the Whitecaps' number one by the end of last season. He will face stiff competition from Joe Cannon, who is eager to regain his starting spot and has performed well in preseason. Cannon is the better shot stopper, but Knighton's youth and all round goalkeeping ability should just see him with the edge.
The defence has been shored up further and Vancouver have arguably one of the best backlines in MLS in YP Lee, Jay DeMerit, Andy O'Brien and Alain Rochat. Those may not be the players seeing time in those positions however, with Rochat possibly moving in to a defensive midfielder role and Lee possibly switching flanks.
Centreback cover seems strong in Brad Rusin and Honduran Johnny Leverón, but the latter can also cover at LB and DM. Lee has indicated that he will not be travelling to games in the east and the right back cover is not overly strong. It may mean that Greg Klazura will finally see some MLS minutes, but he is a player who seems far better on the left. Nigel Reo-Coker may also be another option for Vancouver on the right.
Reo-Coker, like Leverón, is a player who gives Rennie options in a number of positions. The former U21 England international is more likely to adopt a CM or DM role for the team and help add some much needed creativity and experience in the middle of the park for the Whitecaps.
The midfield was definitely the weakest link for the Caps last year, but the addition of Daigo Kobayashi should see a lot more flair than we've seen from the team for many a game, whilst Gershon Koffie should continue his development with having these players around him. Canadian Russell Teibert has seen time in the preseason as a CM and Rennie seems quite high on him in this position, so he may finally get some of the minutes that the fans are hoping for, although these may be at the expense of the another fan favourite in Koffie.
Designated Player Kenny Miller looks like he will be playing a withdrawn striker role, leading as an attacking midfielder at times, and it's hard to see just where the Brazilian Camilo will fit in to Rennie's favoured shape of the team.
One of Vancouver's keys will be "Rennie's Rockets" - Darren Mattocks, Kekuta Manneh and Eric Hurtado.
The Whitecaps have put together a very fast, if somewhat inexperienced, attacking force. They have the potential to terrorise defences throughout MLS, but they are untested and will easily be worked out by the opposition. Knowing what they will try and do and being able to stop that are two very different issues though.
Last season, Vancouver became very predictable by playing the ball through or over the top for Mattocks to run on to. There is no doubt that last season's top scorer will continue to get goals, but he has shown on several occasions that he is easily snuffed out of a game. This will be when Manneh or Hurtado need to step up and take over the threat.
It's a lot to ask of two rookies, and there may not be too many minutes where both are seen on the pitch at the same time.
Squad depth may continue to be an issue this year. There is some good depth in the team, but if long term injuries were to kick in at several positions, I'm not sure the squad is strong enough to maintain a top standard week in and week out.
Expectations are high in Vancouver for the season ahead.
For me, not reaching the playoffs again would have to be seen as a failure, no matter what else they achieve.
The club are hoping to win their first ever Voyageurs Cup and place in the CONCACAF Champions League. This will once again be where the depth of the squad will be seriously put to the test and some mid summer strengthening may be required to see them through a busy spell and keep their playoff aspirations on track.
Prediction:
The Western Conference will be more hotly contested than ever before. Getting off to another strong start will be key. If Vancouver can manage this, then a fifth place finish could be on the cards once again. You have a feeling this will go down to the wire once again however.