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As a result, the Caps, unbeaten in four games since the loss to the Five Stripes, have climbed to within a point of the playoff line and seventh-place Real Salt Lake.

“I think everybody can see we’ve progressed immensely since the first three games,” said right-back Jake Nerwinski. “We started off a bit rough, but I think the last six or seven games we’ve really shown what we can do and what we’re about. And I think we’re just going to try to continue to do that, to continue to build, and hopefully have a better second half of the season.”

NEXT GAME

Saturday, June 22

Vancouver Whitecaps (4-6-6, ninth West) vs. Colorado Rapids (3-9-3, 12th West)

7 p.m., B.C. Place Stadium, TV: TSN; Radio: TSN 1040 AM

But despite their rise in the standings, the club is far from complete. The results have come because of a disciplined and capable defensive structure anchored by the outstanding play of centre-backs Erik Godoy and Doneil Henry, whose partnership has been a big reason that the Caps have surrendered the third-fewest goals from open play (10). The two defenders are tied for third-most clearances in MLS (70), combining for more than any other centre-back pairing, despite Henry missing the last three games with a hamstring strain.

But Vancouver’s 17 goals-for is more than only the Columbus Crew (16) and FC Cincinnati (14), in the 24-team loop, and their 11 goals from open play betters only expansion-side Cincy (nine).

In terms of possession, just the Colorado Rapids (45.9 per cent) and the New England Revolution (44.1) — last and second-last in their respective conferences — fall short of the Caps’ 47 per cent. Shots (10.4) and key passes (7.1), solid indicators of offensive competence, rank 23rd and 24th, respectively, in MLS.

Coles Notes version: Caps defence = good. Caps offence = bad.

There are several mitigating factors to that equation, including the team’s roster wasn’t complete until pre-season nearly ended and 10 of the new player additions had never played an MLS game before.

“If you would have had more time to work this team in pre-season, we would have got (this form) much earlier,” said midfielder Felipe. “I think we grew a lot. The team came together. We found a good balance in what the coaching staff asked us, now we’re improving game-by-game. I believe each player, tactically, is coming to understand what it takes to win in this league.

“Many guys didn’t know about this league, how it works. It’s one thing to look (from) outside, when you’re not playing, not travelling, it’s another thing to come (here). It’s a different environment. It takes time to adapt.”

Dos Santos approached the season with the intent of a tactically flexible, high-pressure, pass happy squad that would be akin to the philosophy displayed by Champions League title-winners Liverpool. But it became clear that he didn’t have the horses.