Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

April 20, 2017 Twitter

@HarJournalist

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VANCOUVER, B.C. - Captain Kendall Waston, that's correct. The 'Towering Tico' has proudly worn the captains armband for Vancouver Whitecaps FC this season. A surprise to some fans after an underwhelming campaign last season. Waston was suspended four different times, and was often seen leaving the pitch more than actually playing on it. 2017 has started off in a completely different direction for the 6-foot, 5-inch centre-back. He's a much more focused footballer, and you'd have to think that being trusted as the Vancouver skipper has had a big influence in how 'new' Waston conducts himself. "It's an honour being the captain of this club," said Waston following training this week. "It's huge, it's important for me. I take it very well, and I want to be the best I can. Being an aggressive player, but in a smart way." Coach Carl Robinson and Waston's wife, Priscilla both had many positive conversations with Waston during the off-season. Waston knew that he would have to change part of his game if he was going to be a successful skipper for Vancouver. "I can't say a lot of things," said Waston when asked about those offseason discussions. "I can say, I don't want to be suspended a lot of games like last year. Every player wants to play, and the players that are in the defensive side, everybody is working hard. You don't want to lose your space. I have to clean all those mistakes that I was making last year, and try to improve, because I want to be successful. I want to reach some goals, and the only way, is to be the best I can everyday." The 2-3-1 Whitecaps need Kendall Waston on the pitch playing at his peak to be a successful team. When he's on his game, Waston is blocking, clearing, and disrupting balls into the box. He's powerful on corners, and a threat for any player coming in 1v1. "He's been very good this year," revealed Carl Robinson. "Him and Timmy (Parker) have both been outstanding at the start of the year. I look at Friday's game as an example, with ten-minutes to go and Seattle are putting us under pressure, and I wouldn't want any other player in the box defending headers and clearances. He puts his body on the line, and I think being captain has made him more responsible. He's got a young family. That's important for any footballer as well. Their life, mentality, mindset changes. It took its toll a little bit last year, but he's refocused. He's enjoying himself, but he can always get better. I still push him, because I don't want him to get comfortable." As intimidating and imposing as Waston plays on the pitch, he's not the kind of guy that leads his team with memorable pre-game, and halftime speeches. He prefers to do his talking on the pitch by leading by example. If he is going to get vocal, it's going to come from a good place, at an important time, with his teammates all ears. "To be honest, I'm not a guy who speaks a lot," admitted Waston. "In the locker room, I'm not shouting a lot, maybe on the field, yes. Everybody has their certain way to concentrate on the game, and concentrate on the things they have to do during the game. When I have to say something, I will say it." Asked by RedNation Online, Carl Robinson plans to keep Kendall Waston as permanent captain this season. "I think so at the moment, yeah he is. Unless anything drastic changes, yeah." Spoken as a true leader for his football club, Kendall Waston is looking to the future and Vancouver's next match. Whitecaps FC will take on Portland Timbers FC on Saturday afternoon in another vital Cascadia encounter. Waston will be looking to continue his top form. "It's not white or black," said Waston. "The main thing is, in the 90-minutes, be the best you can, and improve your game everyday." The true value of a top team is through your goalkeeper, and defence. Having Waston at his best can only help the Whitecaps reach the playoffs. As captain, Waston is showing he is up to leading Vancouver, and proving that last season was nothing but a thing of the past.