"It's really important to move on from Saturday and realise that one bad game shouldn’t turn into more,” goalkeeper David Ousted told reporters at training on Tuesday.
"There's been some good games and some bad games. There's definitely room for improvement but we're in the thick of things and can still make second place if we win [against Toronto]. We're happy with where we are."
It’ll be tough but they now have the ideal chance to bounce back right away when they take on Toronto FC tonight.
Four games, one win, one draw, two defeats. That’s how it reads these past few weeks. The Whitecaps have played some mixed football in that spell but haven’t been taking their chances.
At the other end of the pitch, there’s been two clean sheets and two games with sloppy defending. Which defence will turn up tonight remains to be seen, but one thing that is certain is that there will be continued changes to the backline.
With Jordan Harvey suspended, there will be a new face at left back, whether that is first round 2014 SuperDraft pick Christian Dean, or more likely, the homegrown Sam Adekugbe. Whoever it is, it means three different players in the Caps’ back four than their first choice starters.
"I've got young players to come into the team that I've got 100% faith in,” Robinson said at training yesterday. “I'll make a decision on what I'll do. Johnny and Carlyle have come in and done very well, Andy's just getting himself up to fitness as well. I've got Christian Dean from the draft who's a fantastic prospect for us as well.
"Obviously the left back situation as well, Jordan's played every minute of every game, will be a concern. Whether it's Christian or Sam that steps in there, I've got no worries with that. Another young player will bring the average age down but I've got full confidence in them."
For the second straight game, that young, inexperienced defence will be going up against one of the hottest goalscorers in MLS right now. On Saturday it was Erick Torres, tonight it is Jermain Defoe. Torres scored the crucial go ahead goal fro Chivas at the weekend, and the Whitecaps will be hoping they can snuff out tonight’s goal threat.
A daunting prospect but Robinson has faith in his young steeds.
"Listen, the league's exciting,” the Caps coach mused. “You want to play against the best players, whether it's Jermain Defoe, whether it's Thierry Henry, whether it's Robbie Keane. You're talking about world class attacking players.
“It's great for Toronto. This is tools they've got in their team, so we'll need to do our job correctly. We've got to make sure we do our job collectively and put our own stamp in the game.
“I think Ryan's done a good job. He was here last year, he's had a chance to remould his squad the way he wants to. They've got some very fast players in the team now, which gives them a different dynamic.
“Obviously they've got Jermain up who scores goals. Any team that's got a goalscorer, we were subject to that on Saturday with Cubo Torres who's in a great run of form and one chance, one goal, so if you've got a goalscorer in your team, you've always got a chance. They've certainly got that, so they're a dangerous team."
With a makeshift back four, Vancouver really need the experienced Ousted and right back Steven Beitashour to come up big, keep the line tight and vocalise at every opportunity.
Ousted knows that communication will be key to prevent the Caps from switching off and losing men in the box again. Like Robinson, he trusts though coming in to do the job, but knows it will be a difficult game in store.
"First off, we've got some great defenders in here. Whoever plays is good enough to play in the team. There's going to be some communication issues but we've got to sort them out. As long as people communicate when they get in there, we're going to be alright.
"[Toronto] are definitely a strong team, not just their top guys. On the whole they're a strong team and it's going to be a tough match"