Vancouver Whitecaps open their third MLS preseason on Monday with a number of questions lingering at each of the positions.
Will any of the high priced DPs be with the team at the beginning of March? Will the young wingers provide enough attack and service from the wide areas? Where is the creativity in the middle of the park? Who starts in goal? And most importantly, how does Rennie put together a competitive side that can perform better than last season under their current cap situation?
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With the Caps admitting that it was a mistake in making so many changes during the summer, this camp will be especially important. The aim has to be reduce mid season turnover and have the right pieces in place for the majority of positions from the start. Then use the transfer window to strengthen and improve hopefully just a few positions for the late season push.
Taking a look at the 35 man preseason roster, there are clearly going to be some more additions and changes. Who should feel secure? Who is on the bubble? And who are on trial as they look to find their way onto the final MLS squad?:
<u><b>STRIKERS</b></u>
<b>Secure - Darren Mattocks, Caleb Clarke
Bubble - Kenny Miller, Camilo Sanvezzo
Trialists - Corey Hertzog, Tom Heinemann, Dever Orgill</b>
If Rennie plans to go with a lone striker then the favourite will have to be Mattocks, who is capable of scoring in double digits if he can stay healthy and out of trouble with cautions. There are rumours that both Kenny Miller and Camilo could be moved, but if they are to remain it will be up to them to earn time on the pitch. One player who could replace Miller on the roster is Canadian striker Rob Friend who may be joining the Caps after playing the last five and a half seasons in Germany.
The Caps have a number of trialists coming in at the striker position. Tom Heinemann, former Columbus Crew who played under Rennie in Carolina, and Corey Hertzog, former Red Bull who was signed as a GA player, will try to make the roster and give Vancouver size up front. A surprise addition to the preseason roster is Dever Orgill who played for the Whitecaps back in the Division 2 days and has been plying his trade in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League (VMSL) of late. He also took part in the FC Edmonton combine at the end of last year.
It will be interesting to see if Homegrown product Caleb Clarke gets more time with the first team or possibly goes on loan after getting limited minutes in his first year. There is a chance that Clarke could be loaned to a club in North America or across the pond, where he was close to securing a spot in Germany before an injury brought him back to Vancouver.
<u><b>WINGERS</b></u>
<b>Secure - Omar Salgado, Russell Teibert, Kekuta Manneh, Erik Hurtado
Trialists - Paulo Jr., Evan James, Ben Fisk</b>
The left wing spot will be waiting for Omar Salgado, who seemed to find a rhythm in his game before suffering a season ending injury whilst on international duty. Behind him on the depth chart is Residency product Russell Teibert, who was starting to see some time on the pitch late in the season.
On the other side it is wide open with new draftees Erik Hurtado and Kekuta Manneh looking to make an instant impact with the first team. There is also former RSL player Paulo Jr who was picked up on re-entry waivers and has yet to be signed to a contract.
A couple of Canadians are in camp on trial with Residency product Ben Fisk being an ideal fit in Rennie's system. Similar to Clarke, Fisk was close to a loan deal in Germany last season after his impressive run in the USSDA playoffs. Former Impact draft pick Evan James is also in camp with the Caps but will be joining the team after his time away with the Canadian national team.
We'll have some thoughts of Bobby Lenarduzzi on this position up on AFTN later tonight, so check back.
<u><b>CENTRAL MIDFIELD</b></u>
<b>Secure - Gershon Koffie, Matt Watson, Bryce Alderson, Jun Marques Davidson
Bubble - Barry Robson
Trialists - Crispin Olando, Jacob Lensky</b>
The only clear starter for the Whitecaps in the midfield going into this preseason is Gershon Koffie who continued to grow into a bigger role last season. Designated player Barry Robson might be considered another starter if the rumours of him leaving are proven untrue.
One of the Caps' best players at the end of the season was Matt Watson but was it enough to earn him a spot in the starting eleven? On the other end Jun Marques Davidson was a consistent holding midfielder from the start of the season but was relegated to the bench by season's end. The youngest player on the roster was Bryce Alderson and his age seemed to play a part in the Residency alum not seeing any time on the pitch.
A couple of midfielders will be joining the Whitecaps camp as Jacob Lensky continues his trial from last season. The Caps are also bringing in Kenyan Crispin Olando, who some reported was to be signed to a contract but will be coming in on trial.
<b><u>CENTERBACKS</u></b>
<b>Secure - Jay DeMerit, Andy O'Brien, Brad Rusin
Bubble - Martin Bonjour, Carlyle Mitchell</b>
The one position where there are very few questions when it comes to who will be the starters when the season kicks off. Both Jay DeMerit and summer acquisition Andy O'Brien had excellent seasons along the backline where they took turns leading from the back.
The questions come to the bench players as the Caps recently signed Brad Rusin, former Railhawk captain, who returns after a couple of seasons in Norway. He may have been signed to be a replacement for Martin Bonjour who had a solid season but may be too high priced for a backup. Carlyle Mitchell, with his minimum price, is also in camp and his salary may give him an advantage in holding onto his spot.
<u><b>FULLBACKS</b></u>
<b>Secure - Y.P. Lee, Alain Rochat, Jordan Harvey
Bubble - Greg Klazura
Trialists - Andres Fresenga</b>
The Whitecaps breathed a sigh of relief when Young-Pyo Lee announced that he was returning for another season at the right back position. There is word that Lee will not be playing games on the east coast so the Caps have brought Canadian Andre Fresenga, who has been playing in Uruguay, on trial with the hope that he can be a spot starter to give Lee more rest and with a view to possibly taking over from his next year.
The left side will be manned by Alain Rochat, who started at left back for most of the season before he moved to midfield in a holding role. If Rennie decides to move him there then it will be Jordan Harvey who will be tabbed for that spot as he did late last season. There is also a hold over Greg Klazura who is a natural left back but spent most of last season learning the right back position.
<b><u>GOALKEEPER</u></b>
<b>Secure - Brad Knighton, Joe Cannon
Trialists - Simon Thomas, Sean Melvin</b>
Like every other position the goalkeeper spot went through changes during the season and with both returning the competition should be wide open. Joe Cannon was named the starter out of last year's camp and was considered by most to be the MVP of the first half. He faltered late in the summer and was replaced by Brad Knighton who proved to be a very capable MLS keeper which may put him in a slight edge in this camp.
The Caps have two young keeper in as trialists with residency product Sean Melvin and former Jay Nolly backup Simon Thomas attempting to secure the number three spot.
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So what are your thoughts on the training camp roster? Who deserves their shot and what areas do the Caps still need to keep looking to strengthen?
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