It has been very slow, and slim pickings, for Vancouver Whitecaps fans. For a club that has put a lot of weight on fielding an impressive team for the 2020 Major League Soccer season, things have been quiet. Too quiet? Possibly, although it is important to remember that the transfer windows are not open right now. The lack of news doesn’t mean that the club is not making moves, rather that they just cannot be announced yet. You would think that we would hear something though right? Well, possibly, but those rumors only come about with high-priced names. It is worth noting that just because WE have not heard of them, and thus they are not a name that floats around the rumor mill, doesn’t mean that they are not good players nor that they will not excel for Vancouver. It is tough to do this, and even I am finding it frustrating, but I do think that we need to stand still and wait.

In other, related, news, former Whitecaps Alphonso Davies continues to make waves in Germany and on the international stage. He was the only Canadian named to the Team of the Tournament for Group A of the CONCACAF Nations League. Are there any other Canadians that you feel should have been named to the ‘Team of Group A’?

For his club, Bayern Munich, he has been playing regularly at left-back, thanks to injury issues in defense. His strong play in that position has made him quite popular with fans and the club’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic described Davies as the player “fans were for waiting”.

Davies was transferred to Bayern Munich for 13.45 million, with additional incentives making it possibly worth 21 million. It is unclear what would trigger that 7+ million, but it might have to do with appearances (including Champions League) and contract extensions. He is likely (hopefully?) met some of those performance bonuses and maybe in a year or two we see a contract extension leading to more money for the Caps.

Despite his strong play, Davies has not been able to keep his club out of a VERY unfamiliar place. After a loss this weekend, Bayern Munich sit seventh in Bundesliga, not even in a position for a Europa qualifier. A QUALIFIER!!! The club has lost as many games already this season (four) as they lost in any FULL season since 2014/2015, in which they had five losses on the season.

Shameless Self Promotion

We don’t really have much to say right now as it has been pretty quiet of late. Stay tuned though as I should have a piece out in the next day or two on the 4-3-3 formation we expect the club to play next season.

Best of the Rest

Our colleagues over at Between the Sticks discuss what Lucas Cavallini could bring to the Vancouver Whitecaps. While he is a good player it is also important to remember that it is just as much about how he can connect and link-in with the rest of the club. Fredy Montero is NOT a poor forward, but having no movement through the midfield meant that his opportunities were few and far between. In my opinion, the biggest need for the Whiteacps is in midfield.

The CONCACAF Champions League draw will be televised this evening (6pm PST). Montreal Impact are the representative from Canada. What are your expectations for them this tournament? See them getting past the first round? Maybe another run to the final?

Whoever wins the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League will represent North/Central America at the FIFA Club World Cup. Coincidentally, this year’s tournament starts on Wednesday. Monterrey, CONCACAF’s representative will begin play in the second round, on Saturday.