Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

June 15, 2016 Twitter

@HarJournalist

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VANCOUVER, B.C. - The Vancouver Whitecaps are back from some much deserved time off during MLS Copa America break. Carl Robinson's squad will look to improve on a 6-6-3 record with a visit from the New England Revolution on Saturday afternoon at BC Place. The Caps will be in tough as Pedro Morales, Octavio Rivero, and Kendall Waston will not be available for selection due to suspension. The Whitecaps appealed a straight red card issued to skipper Pedro Morales for an incident on May 28 vs Houston. Vancouver's standing was that Morales did not deliver a hands to the face reaction to Houston Dynamo player, Alex. An independent review panel with representatives from U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer Association and PRO, reviewed the Whitecaps appeal. "We appealed," said Manager Carl Robinson. "I managed to see the referees report and the referees report stated that he pushed him in the face, hands to face and he sent him off for that. Having clearly viewed the evidence and video, which shows he pushed him in the chest, we felt we had a strong case so I appealed and our appeal was rejected." As Whitecaps fans will tell you, this has been a season full of suspensions for the Whitecaps. At some point you have to wonder if Carl Robinson and ownership might decide to make a point by really admitting on record how they feel about MLS officiating and the rash of suspension incurred by Caps. "What's for me to decide is exactly the scenario of what happened with Pedro," said Robinson. "The emotions sometimes get the better of you and it did at the time. It was relayed to me that he was sent off because he pushed him in the face or slapped him in the face. I don't condone that, and I wouldn't even argue if that had happened, but it didn't happen. It was clear evidence that it didn't happen." It's difficult to put out your top lineup when players are out serving a suspension. You also have to factor in international call-ups with Copa America still underway. Costa Rica's Christian Bolanos is back with the Whitecaps and should be available to play on Saturday. On the flip side, Carl Robinson has no idea why the Morales appeal was not successful and he isn't happy with the overall circumstances. "Well I disagree with it," admitted Robinson. "To say I'm happy about it is an understatement. It is, what it is. We're not given an explanation to why, based upon the facts that we showed and gave them. That's the disappointing thing, but I can't answer that because I haven't got a reason." Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted will earn his 100th consecutive MLS start for the Whitecaps, if he is in net vs New England. The Danish shot stopper is never short of his opinions on the officiating standards in Major League Soccer. Following training this week, he expressed his views on the Caps disciplinary issues and what can be done to turn the page and look ahead to improving the overall in-game standard. "Yes we need to be better," said Ousted. "The game's officiated as it is, so we need to be better as disciplined. We can't allow ourselves to go down to 10-men. We can't allow ourselves to have guys that we need out with suspensions all the time. Part of it is on us. What I ask of the referees is a line to go on, to set that line, and that tone throughout the game and not change a lot of that. If something's a free kick, then it should be a free kick all the time. I've said it before, it's not an easy job for them and I don't think it makes it easier when the disciplinary committee goes in and sometimes overturns them, goes in and gives extra days for something that they've seen. Part of it is us needing to be better, more disciplined and part of it is hopefully helping the refs out. We're in this together, us, the referees and MLS to evolve this league and hopefully get it better." Before Vancouver can welcome the Revolution to BC Place, Carl Robinson and some of his players will no doubt have a keen eye on another important football match this week. Wales will take on England in Euro 2016 group play on Thursday morning in France. Kick-off is set for 6:00 a.m. PT here on the west coast. RedNation Online asked Robinson about Wales's 2-1 victory over Slovakia on Saturday and just what does he expect to see when Wales and England clash with three very important points on the line. "Great game," said Robinson. "It makes Thursday's game a little bit more spicy. I don't know whether it's good or bad to be honest. The reason I say that is because the last-minute goal by Russia might of awakened England, which worries me a little bit. Wales can go on and win and we've got no worries about that. There's more pressure on them, but it's a difficult game. We know that." Notes: 25 year-old Trinidad and Tobago defender Daneil Cyrus is a trialist with the Vancouver Whitecaps this week.



