The Good:
The Start For Pedro Morales
18 games in MLS, 6 goals (tied 12th in MLS), 8 assists (tied 2nd in MLS) and amazing plays that have brought excitement to supporters at BC Place. Included in that number was another assist in this one.
Vancouver has had a MLS history of DP's starting slow in the league. Morales has come to Vancouver and been everything he was advertised to be. He has led on the pitch to the point where he has worn the captain's armband with Jay DeMerit out. Stepped up and scored some big goals when the team needed them.
His passing ability may be second to none in MLS. Great balls over the top, amazing cross field bombs right to players running down the flank and corners that actually give the Whitecaps chances to score.
His lower back injury has calmed down, this may be because he is getting use to the travel, time zone changes and playing on the BC Place turf.
The future is bright for Pedro.
The Average:
Sam Adekugbe
With Jordan Harvey getting the red card last game this opened the door for young Canadian Adekugbe to get his second MLS start.
The young left back didn't disappoint. He looked like a veteran out there. Wasn't out of position much and stayed calm when the attack would come his way. The future is bright for him and he should be a Whitecap for years to come.
He should benefit well from a USL Pro team next season, a chance for him to get quality minutes as a starting LB and covering Jordan Harvey for the MLS club. If he hasn't already claimed the starter's job by then.
The Bad:
Giving Away Crucial Points
It has been a theme all season. Crucial mistakes by Whitecaps players lead to crucial points being lost. The penalty by Nigel Reo-Coker was déjà vu all over again.
It has been questionable calls against Jay DeMerit, Matis Laba picking up a red card for picking up the ball on a no call or Jordan Harvey last week getting sent off.
Even with all those points being left on the pitch, if the Whitecaps can beat RSL this weekend they can move into second place in the Western Conference. The dropping of two points last night saw them fall out of the playoff places. That's the fine lines between success and failure in the West this year.
At the beginning of this season they were getting wins when they should have been getting draws and draws when they should have been getting losses. These past 6 games they have been settling for draws instead of wins.