Football Season Guide

Vancouver Whitecaps enjoyed an excellent campaign in the regular season, occupying the top spot in the Western Conference for large portions of the campaign and though they finished in third place, they were just one point behind eventual champions Portland Timbers. While Vancouver once again failed to impress in the postseason, losing out to Seattle Sounders in the Conference semifinals, coach Carl Robinson will feel it was a successful campaign for his side and will be looking to go one step further this time around though he has been busy making big changes to the roster during the off-season. Vancouver will be taking to the field with a completely new spine with David Ousted, Matias Laba and Fredy Montero all having left the club during the pre-season while Christian Bolanos has also moved on despite being arguably one of their best players over the last couple of seasons. Kei Kamara has been brought in to provide the firepower upfront with Anthony Blondell offering the depth though Vancouver have failed to improve their midfield options, with Robinson happy to rely on Russell Teibert and Tony Tchani in the center of the midfield while Alphonso Davies will be given more of a regular role on the flanks. With Tim Parker reportedly angling for a move away, Vancouver having brought in Jose Aja who will be competing with Aaron Maund for a place alongside Kendall Waston in the center of the defense. There have been a number of changes during the off-season but barring the attack, it looks as if Vancouver have a poorer roster compared to last season and with the Western Conference being expanded to 12 teams, Vancouver's playoffs hopes will depend on how soon the new team settles down and gels together this season.