Whitecaps Quiet at Transfer Deadline

Last night the Major League Soccer Secondary Transfer Window closed, with little fanfare in Vancouver. While the other two Canadian club were strengthening their squad through trades and transfers, and Western Conference opponents were bringing in key additions, the Whitecaps elected to go the conservative route, making a few minor, fringe, moves.

Myer Bevan

After returning from a three-month loan to Huqvarna FF, in the Swedish Division 1 Sodra, Bevan was loaned out to the wasteland that is USL affiliate Fresno FC. While in Sweden, Bevan scored two goals from nine appearances (five starts), and looked to be doing well. Hopefully he is given the opportunity to play in Fresno, but I would not count on it. I will let our own CWilkins fill you in on how beneficial/useful the affiliation has been this season!

Although the loan to Fresno is not the ideal situation for Bevan, it isn’t like he was going to play for the Whitecaps. Ahead of Bevan on the depth chart are Kamara, Blondell, and Hurtado. Until the last two matches, Hurtado has barely been able to get a sniff this season. It is unlikely that Bevan would have been given any better opportunities. Therefore, the prospects of playing a few minutes in Fresno is still better than no minutes in Vancouver.

Bernie Ibini

The Vancouver Whitecaps and Bernie Ibini mutually parted ways, so he could sign with United Arab Emirates Pro League club Emirates Club.

With the club for a little more than a year, Ibini failed to make much of an impact. He made 26 appearances, but only scored one goal and added three assists. He wasn’t completely useless, but outside of a few moments, his tenure with the Whitecaps was rather mundane. He is still young at just 25-years-old, so hopefully he can find his way and have a productive career.

What is most ‘useful’ about this deal for the Whitecaps is that it frees up a senior roster spot, an international slot (although they had an extra anyway), and a pro-rated 304k in cap space.

Roberto Dominguez

There is no word yet on the rumored move of 21-year-old center back Roberto Dominguez to the Whitecaps. This should not signal that he won’t be coming. If the rumors are true that he is on free, then Vancouver has until the roster freeze deadline of September 14th to add him. However, if he is not free, then the opportunity has, indeed, passed.

Coaching Moves

While not eliciting much attention, two coaching changes were also made. First, Pa Modou Kah has returned to Whitecaps FC II (aka ThunderCaps) in Cincinnati, while the club’s head of sports medicine and science Dr. Rick Celebrini has moved on to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

We focus a lot of attention on player movements, and while they are important, don’t discount the influence of a veteran such as Kah, and the head of sports medicine for the club. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the club going forward, and whether it is a sign of more things to come.

Concluding the 2018 MLS Season

Unsurprising, it would appear that the Whitecaps will limp towards the finish line in 2018, being leap-frogged by everyone in the West, except maybe San Jose. This means that their window will Alphonso Davies will close with a whimper. There are those among us who would have liked to see the team make a push, because you never know, but as the conclusion to last night’s Voyageurs Cup should tell fans is that Vancouver Can’t Have Nice Things. Although it is not the preferred among fans, I am sure, it might be best to start fresh in the off-season, with the trucks full of Davies money, rather than some patchwork end-of-the-season moves that leave the Caps with undesirable players/contracts.

What is your take on the moves, or the lack thereof?