Yet, after the game there was plenty of hand wringing and belly aching over the state of the Vancouver Whitecaps. There was plenty of blame thrown around. Teibert, Ballouchy, Fernandez, Manneh, Mattocks, and Beitashour, Carl Robinson, and even the "Committee" were all the subject of hefty criticism after the match.
Let’s be clear.
Beitashour was not good. His crosses all ended up straight to Galaxy keeper Jaime Pineda, he allowed far too much space for Landon Donovan to operate, and he was caught ball watching on a couple occasions, including on the first goal.
Fernandez was invisible or worse; absent when required, and useless when active with the ball.
Mattocks, while active, was completely out of touch with everyone on the pitch. His runs were terrible. His decision making was even worse than normal, which is average at best.
But really, what did you expect? The Whitecaps are a decent team this year. Clearly, better than the last couple of years. We’re competitive in almost every game, home or away. Draws away from home are now a disappointment, and losses at home are a travesty. A couple years ago we were pleased by an away loss that wasn’t a complete embarrassment.
But they aren’t the LA Galaxy.
The Galaxy are a squad that have won multiple MLS Cups. They have the most prolific attacking player the league has ever seen in Landon Donovan, and one of the best, most intelligent poachers in Robbie Keane. They have bent rules to be able to sign quality players like Juninho, and have a strong academy to bring in difference makers like Zardes. And not only that, but we were playing them in their own ground while they were hot, and we were not.
And you are all surprised we lost? Get a grip.
There are things we can glean from a game like this, at a point in the season like this. I think it’s safe to say we need a complete overhaul up top. I was willing to give Mattocks a chance, but I’m not sure it’ll ever work out with him. Hurtado still feels less like a striker or a winger, and more like a running back. And Salgado’s attitude might be the real inhibitor between his unbelievable physical abilities and becoming a legitimate footballer. Manneh may still be able to become a true difference maker, but he has plenty to learn and is still young.
Yet I even saw some people blaming the "Committee". Have you all gone out of your gourd?
Since Robinson was appointed, there has been an almost unanimous approval of every move that has been made. Sure, some selections or substitutions have been a bit off, but everything has been justifiable given what Robinson is trying to do.
The Reo-Coker for Rosales move was shrewd. We got rid of something of no value and exchanged it for something of value. Laba, Morales, Beitashour, Fernandez. All the main acquisitions during the offseason have been critical to the any of the success the Whitecaps have had.
So why are we so upset?
Seattle, Real Salt Lake, and Los Angeles would all run away with the Eastern Conference. Dallas, Vancouver, Portland, or even Colorado would be pushing for a top 2 finish.
Vancouver Whitecaps are not MLS Cup contenders. This is clear. They need a striker or two in the off season. Maybe a winger, and some depth at fullback. Robinson may not have even found the exact elixir when it comes to tactics. But if you can’t tell that today’s Whitecaps are significantly better than the last couple years, you and I are watching different things.
I was disappointed by the game in L.A. I am saddened with the lack of tenacity shown in the final third in the last couple months. I think there needs to be some significant changes to this team to make it a contender next year, but please, dear god, stop the chicken little routine.
The Whitecaps are not yet the Galaxy, but they certainly are moving in the right direction.