The Good:
Carlyle Mitchell
One of the only bright spots for the Whitecaps on Saturday at BC Place. After picking up an early and deserving yellow card in the first minute of the game, Mitchell stepped up and played a decent game.
Mitchell brought an aerial threat to corner pieces that the team has been lacking since they joined the MLS. On a beauty corner from Pedro Morales, an eager Mitchell was able to get a header on the ball to put the Whitecaps up 1-0.
With a pairing of Mitchell and Johnny Leveron this gives the team a chance to get rid of Andy O'Brien and Jay DeMerit this transfer window or off season. This will open up salary cap room the team need to upgrade in the striker and defender positions.
The Average:
Erik Hurtado
The past three to four games the E Money express has been derailed. He is lacking the finish he showed early this season well on his scoring run. He looks like he has lost his first touch again after it had been greatly improved during the streak.
I know Robbo rewards hustle during practice and likes to give players playing time based off this but it might be time to give Darren Mattocks and Omar Salgado some quality minutes and playing time, if the latter stays around.
With the transfer window open and the Caps looking to upgrade the striker position this may be a chance to tinker with the strikers to find a good mix until a new striker can be brought in.
The Bad:
Not Playing A Full 90 Minutes
The first half was a great 45 minutes of home field soccer. They came out with a 1-0 lead that could have easily been a two or three nothing lead. They had 60% possession and commanded the play on the pitch. That's where the fairy tale ends and the Stephen King horror second half begins.
The marking was horrible, Cubo Torres burned the Whitecaps again and they failed to convert on chances that would have guaranteed victory.
With a big game versus Toronto coming, the Whitecaps still have a chance to move into a tie for 2nd place in the West with Real Salt Lake.