Vancouver Whitecaps FC are looking to climb to the top of the MLS mountain.
After finishing with the second-best record in the Western Conference last season, Carl Robinson retooled his ‘Caps squad in order to confirm their status as one of the top teams in the West in 2016.
Vancouver are currently 2-2-0 so far this season with two consecutive victories. The British Columbia outfit hosts the LA Galaxy on Saturday at BC Place. Vancouver went an impressive 2-0-0 in two meetings with the Galaxy a year ago.
Below is a breakdown of the new faces on the Whitecaps brought in this offseason in order to help them achieve their goal of winning a first MLS Cup:
CHRISTIAN BOLAÑOS
The most high profile signing of this offseason for Vancouver was the acquisition of Costa Rican midfielder Christian Bolaños.
The 31-year-old Costa Rican winger arrives in British Columbia with plenty of experience in Europe and Costa Rica with Deportivo Saprissa, F.C. Copenhagen, and other clubs. Considered one of the top Costa Rican players of his generation, the talented midfielder has made a living off creating chances from wide position. Bolaños has one assist in two starts this season for Vancouver.
On Saturday, Bolaños figures to be deployed along the right side of midfield to serve as a complement for the speedy Kekuta Manneh. The Costa Rican international is expected to have some tired legs, however, after appearing in two matches for Los Ticos over the international break.
BLAS PEREZ
The LA Galaxy will be very familiar with Panamanian forward Blas Perez who was acquired in the offseason after a productive spell with FC Dallas.
The 35-year-old spent the last three years in Texas where he was a handful for the Galaxy, scoring four goals in 10 appearances against Los Angeles. The Panamanian international is known for his histrionics in front of goal as much as his scoring ability, which has made him a handful for defenders around the league.
In 2016, Robinson has deployed Perez primarily off the bench in a super sub rtole. To date, Perez has made three appearances with just a single start for Vancouver.
ANDREW JACOBSON
Just days into the MLS season, Vancouver bolstered their depth by acquiring veteran midfielder Andrew Jacobson from New York City FC.
The 30-year-old spent last season with New York City FC where he led the team in minutes while making 33 appearances. Since arriving in Major League Soccer, Jacobson has scored six goals and nine assists in 174 appearances for NYCFC, FC Dallas, the Philadelphia Union and D.C. United.
Jacobson has made two appearances for Vancouver this season, and made his first start last week when he played in central defense in the Whitecaps’ 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo.
FRASER AIRD
Vancouver filled the hole left by the departure of Steven Beitashour in the offseason with the acquisition of Canadian international Fraser Aird on a season-long loan from Scottish giants Rangers FC.
Aird, 20, joined the Whitecaps after being with Rangers since the age of 16. Throughout his time in Scotland, the offensive-minded right back notched 12 goals and 17 assists in 85 appearances with the first team.
The defender has made four appearances with three starts this season for Vancouver. Aird will likely be tasked with stopping the speedy Gyasi Zardes on Saturday.
MASATO KUDO
The Whitecaps rely heavily on the presence of Octavio Rivero, but in the offseason, Carl Robinson acquired Japanese forward Masato Kudo to help lighten the load.
Kudo arrives in Vancouver from Japanese club Kashiwa Reysol where he was the club’s all-time leading goal scorer with 92 goals in 260 appearances. A former Japanese international, Kudo, 25, is known for his ability to score anywhere within the penalty area.
The Japanese poacher is suspended for Saturday’s clash after the MLS Disciplinary Committee ruled that he embellished a foul to win a penalty in Vancouver’s 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo last week.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
