With the recently-announced signing of long-time MLS midfielder Peter Vagenas, the Vancouver Whitecaps have filled their roster up to the Major League Soccer maximum of thirty players. The 33-year-old Vagenas is automatically one of the most experienced players on the youthful Vancouver roster and, though brought in just for a depth role, will hopefully provide leadership and guidance to the team's young blood both on and off the field.
Of course, the Whitecaps have the option to release any of the players on their roster if they want to bring in a new asset. But it's safe to say that what we have is pretty close to the final Vancouver Whitecaps roster for the 2011 season. In particular, the midfield seems almost set. Vagenas brings the midfield a pleasant combination of playing styles as well as a bit of depth that's a good mix of youth and veterans. Prior to Vagenas's arrival, the midfield has been both a strength and a weakness depending on who's healthy. So what does it look like today?
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
The area where Vagenas will help most is also the area where the Whitecaps have had some of the biggest problems: central midfield. Terry Dunfield, John Thorrington, and Gershon Koffie are clearly the top choices for the two central roles this season. But all three have missed chunks of time for one reason or another, be it injury, suspension, or international duty. With those three decent players unavailable, Teitur Thordarson has had to turn to a variety of unpalatable options
Some of those players are basically decent. Kevin Harmse is a useful, experienced utility player and every team should have a couple guys like that kicking around. But he's coming off a serious injury and, though he's proven he has 90 minute games in him, clearly isn't the Kevin Harmse of old. Jeb Brovsky has some good qualities and might round into something useful, but right now he's a liability rather than an asset. Alexandre Morfaw was never much more than a piece of young depth and, anyway, he's been hurt almost constantly. Michael Nanchoff is young, inexperienced, and literally <i>never healthy</i>. Long Tan has played some midfield in his life but I'd certainly be hesitant to list him there. And who even knows where Philippe Davies is?
What the central midfield was missing was a useful depth player who can combine a bit of offensive spirit and defensive responsibility. Brovsky can move the ball well, but it's his only real skill. Michael Nanchoff had a one-dimensional reputation in college, which bodes ill. Harmse, at his best, can fill that role a bit but not well. You can see why this unit was calling out for a player of Vagenas's experience and two-way ability.
If Vagenas can get into shape and stay healthy, I reckon he's the team's fourth choice in central midfield behind Dunfield, Koffie, and Thorrington in that order. That's not a long way up the depth chart but given that Dunfield, Thorrington, and Vagenas himself all have fairly chequered injury histories, having a reliable fourth central midfielder is a very good idea. If Nanchoff can't get healthy and Davies can't come back to life, Vagenas might also be a choice off the bench when the team needs a goal (or, if the likes of Brovsky is out there, when the team needs to prevent one).
On the wings, the situation is fairly simple. Davide Chiumiento, Wes Knight, and Shea Salinas are the top choices on the right. Russell Teibert is the best option on the left, with Blake Wagner running second on the depth chart if he ever stops playing fullback and then a rogue's gallery of guys like Chiumiento and Salinas who can play both wings. Nizar Khalfan can substitute whereever he's needed and either be brilliant or unspeakably frustrating.
I admit that I'd like to see a little more depth on the wings. The right side is fine, but if Russell Teibert gets injured (which does sometimes happen) or loses form, the left will be a <i>mess</i>. With Teibert's leg problems earlier this year, we already had a vivid example: with Teibert around, this team can play wide, stretch defenses, and cause havoc. Without him, no matter who's taking his place, we're very limited in our options down the left-hand side.
It's not like there's nobody we can cut either. What the hell is Bilal Duckett for, anyway? Or Alex Morfaw, whose appearances in division two suggested that he was a moderately useful, replaceable NASL depth player. They couldn't get a substitute left winger who at least plays the position? What's Gabe Gala doing these days, anyway?
Still, the midfield looks relatively good. No MLS team has perfect depth at every position. The Whitecaps are secure in the middle and on the right against all but the most serious crisis. The left has a solid starter and some backups who, um, I hope we don't see much. For a team struggling with injuries, it's a good situation to be in.