Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian Question

[Gian-Luca]

As someone who's not followed the Whitecaps this year because they refuse to play Canadians (and finds it quite telling that TFC has given up an international spot to Vancouver as part of this trade), can anyone who does explain why Vancouver has gotten rid of Hassli - too many cards made him a liability perhaps? He always seemed a beast out there to me, and it does seem like a club that has been successful this year (in the league at least) is getting rid of a lot of its better players (Chiumiento, Le Toux, Hassli).

Good move for Toronto to get him prior to the Champions league games, hopefully he's recovered in time from whatever injury he's got to be able to play in some of those games.

[Macksam]

As someone who's not followed the Whitecaps this year because they refuse to play Canadians (and finds it quite telling that TFC has given up an international spot to Vancouver as part of this trade), can anyone who does explain why Vancouver has gotten rid of Hassli - too many cards made him a liability perhaps? He always seemed a beast out there to me, and it does seem like a club that has been successful this year (in the league at least) is getting rid of a lot of its better players (Chiumiento, Le Toux, Hassli).

Good move for Toronto to get him prior to the Champions league games, hopefully he's recovered in time from whatever injury he's got to be able to play in some of those games.

I'm perplexed as well. It's like they're panicking over a small string of bad games. Letting Chiumiento go is understandable as he wanted to go back home. However, Le Toux?

[youllneverwalkalone]

As someone who's not followed the Whitecaps this year because they refuse to play Canadians (and finds it quite telling that TFC has given up an international spot to Vancouver as part of this trade), can anyone who does explain why Vancouver has gotten rid of Hassli - too many cards made him a liability perhaps? He always seemed a beast out there to me, and it does seem like a club that has been successful this year (in the league at least) is getting rid of a lot of its better players (Chiumiento, Le Toux, Hassli).

Good move for Toronto to get him prior to the Champions league games, hopefully he's recovered in time from whatever injury he's got to be able to play in some of those games.

He has two goals. He's slow and can't head the ball. The attack is horribly static with him up top and he doesn't defend much. Also the refs seem to hate him (which will give you lots of fuel for your anti-ref rants). More than anything, Darren Mattocks has emerged and shown he can play anyway you like: off the shoulder, withdrawn, target. Kenny Miller is much in the same mold and scored way more golals than Hassli, despite playing many games as a winger or attacking midfielder. Finally, many of the top prospects at the 93/94 level are attacking players. I suspect we'll see Ben Fisk signed after Sunday and the salary/international spots will go towards a defender/defensive mid.

[tmcmurph]

Coach Rennie traded Hassli because he didn't fit the style that he wanted. Hassli is a big target man who can hold the ball up and strike some incredible volleys. The style the coach wants is speed forwards to counter attack out of the 4-5-1 formation we use defensively. Letting LeToux go was a hard one but Richards is a big upgrade. Seba was a cardio freak with a work rate that would kill most pro players but he couldn't pass or receive passes.

By the way RT has made the bench a couple of times recently so his progress is happening if maddeningly slow. The Caps plan seems to be get in a bunch of vets who we can get 2-5 years out of. That gives us a serious chance at making the playoffs and keeping the casual fans around. It also shows the academy kids just where they need to be to get a spot. A winning team now and move the younger players up as they develop. They will always have to beat out older and better players to get a spot. That is a good thing.

[ThiKu]

I surely hope that's the plan for Teibert and Alderson.

Unfortunately I think Clarke will be our Makubuya. More likely to end-up in 3rd tier Germany or 2nd Scandinavia until late 20's than he is to make the Whitecaps first team.....??

[youllneverwalkalone]

I surely hope that's the plan for Teibert and Alderson.

Unfortunately I think Clarke will be our Makubuya. More likely to end-up in 3rd tier Germany or 2nd Scandinavia until late 20's than he is to make the Whitecaps first team.....??

Rennie called him a "powerful, clinical striker." Haven't heard those words to describe Canadian attackers too often, even if he was blowing smoke. He scored the second most goals in the USSDA and attracted interest from a German club with a rich history. In the meantime, Long Tan and Hassli are gone, Miller in. I'd say things are looking ok for Clarke.

As a general rule though, Rennie does not appear to trust any young players. Koffie is the only guy under 24 who sees regular time. This may change once the Caps establish themselves a top club. Or may not.

Russel played in the reserves match yesterday -which I attended- and he looked great in the first half playing LM, and then faded as he tends to do. Also, James Farenhorst started at CB, while Gagandeep Dosanj, Bobby Jhutty, and Alex Marello came in as subs. Perhaps the most interesting player was Kianz Froese Gonzalez, who is still 16. He started, playing the #10 role, and did quite well despite botching a few first half chances. He scored a pretty goal in the second, dribbling past the half of the Chivas team. He played PDL, but has never been part of the Residency set-up. I'm not sure what this means, but my guess he's either going to be signing in Germany shortly, or he may even get a developmental deal with the Caps.

Edit: Oops, thought this was the Caps thread. I'll put that last bit in the appropriate Whitecaps thread and leave it here for the Russell lovers at TFC.

[VWFC]

As someone who's not followed the Whitecaps this year because they refuse to play Canadians (and finds it quite telling that TFC has given up an international spot to Vancouver as part of this trade), can anyone who does explain why Vancouver has gotten rid of Hassli - too many cards made him a liability perhaps? He always seemed a beast out there to me, and it does seem like a club that has been successful this year (in the league at least) is getting rid of a lot of its better players (Chiumiento, Le Toux, Hassli).

Good move for Toronto to get him prior to the Champions league games, hopefully he's recovered in time from whatever injury he's got to be able to play in some of those games.

Seriously? Can we stop beating this horse yet? Especially from someone who admits they dont follow the 'Caps. Rennie doesn't refuse to play Canadians.

As for Hassli, the guy is a fan favourite, but he really hasn't performed well in a long time. You'll find the supporters who love him because of his personality and his wonder goals and people who don't rate him because over 90min he really doesn't do much. Although I think he'll play better in the TFC system then the 'Caps.

Good trade for both sides.

[VWFC]

Rennie called him a "powerful, clinical striker." Haven't heard those words to describe Canadian attackers too often, even if he was blowing smoke. He scored the second most goals in the USSDA and attracted interest from a German club with a rich history. In the meantime, Long Tan and Hassli are gone, Miller in. I'd say things are looking ok for Clarke.

As a general rule though, Rennie does not appear to trust any young players. Koffie is the only guy under 24 who sees regular time. This may change once the Caps establish themselves a top club. Or may not.

Russel played in the reserves match yesterday -which I attended- and he looked great in the first half playing LM, and then faded as he tends to do. Also, James Farenhorst started at CB, while Gagandeep Dosanj, Bobby Jhutty, and Alex Marello came in as subs. Perhaps the most interesting player was Kianz Froese Gonzalez, who is still 16. He started, playing the #10 role, and did quite well despite botching a few first half chances. He scored a pretty goal in the second, dribbling past the half of the Chivas team. He played PDL, but has never been part of the Residency set-up. I'm not sure what this means, but my guess he's either going to be signing in Germany shortly, or he may even get a developmental deal with the Caps.

Edit: Oops, thought this was the Caps thread. I'll put that last bit in the appropriate Whitecaps thread and leave it here for the Russell lovers at TFC.

Mattocks is 21 and Camilo just turned 24, but I agree with you, generally Rennie sticks with proven players.

[youllneverwalkalone]

^Forgot about Mattocks!

[narduch]

Seriously? Can we stop beating this horse yet? Especially from someone who admits they dont follow the 'Caps. Rennie doesn't refuse to play Canadians.

Hey, this is a CANADIAN SOCCER SUPPORTERS website.

We aren't all Vancouver fanboys.

Its not a dead horse. Its actually kind of embarrassing how hard Whitecap fans defend such a stupid rule.