VANCOUVER – Now that the dust has settled on the Vancouver Whitecaps’ 2015 MLS campaign, what’s to be made of it?

While the record crowd at BC Place left in a clearly foul mood Sunday evening after the ‘Caps crashed out in the Western Conference semifinals to the Portland Timbers, it’s difficult to call the season anything but a resounding success.

This is clearly the best Whitecaps team of the MLS era, and it was able to formally achieve that with its Conference semifinal berth.

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Coach Carl Robinson continued to build on his strong 2014 debut season, adding key pieces in designated player Octavio Rivero and Cristian Techera (on loan from River Plate Montevideo).

At centre back, Robinson also showed savvy with the signing of Pa Modou Kah, now 35 years old, who made 25 league appearances and provided strong leadership. The MLS SuperDraft also came through for the ‘Caps, with rookie Tim Parker gradually usurping Kah to become the starting centre back alongside Kendall Waston by season’s end.

Then there were the returning players: Waston, David Ousted, Jordan Harvey, Steven Beitashour, Matias Laba and Gershon Koffie did the bulk of the heavy lifting this campaign. It’s worth noting they are all primarily defensive players.

It was that group of players who ensured this Whitecaps side finished as the joint-best defensive team during the regular season (alongside the Seattle Sounders) with just 36 goals conceded in 34 games this season. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Kekuta Manneh deserves his own mention here—this was yet another season of continued growth for the 20-year old attacker. He gave Portland all sorts of problems on Sunday before he had to leave the game due to injury, and on his day there are few players in MLS more destabilizing to opposing defenders. The biggest issue for the Whitecaps will be keeping him around much longer—a bigger club is sure to come sniffing around sooner rather than later.

What went right?

Defensive prowess. As mentioned above, this team was well organized and sturdy at the back. There is no need to change things significantly when it comes to the back four or the two defensive midfielders who play in front of them in the 4-2-3-1 formation that Robinson favours.

What needs to change?

This squad needs to add more dynamism and creativity. When Manneh went down on Sunday, Vancouver became all too predictable. Likely the team will need to add at least one winger and a forward—ideally a natural finisher.

What are the big question marks?

The biggest question this off-season is what to do with Techera. The diminutive on-loan Uruguayan was often the best player on the pitch for the Whitecaps. Comfortable in possession, and capable of scoring and setting up goals, he added a new dimension. There’s no question Robinson would like to keep the player, but salary demands and a potential transfer fee could prove obstacles to any permanent deal.

Kah’s future is also likely up in the air. The defender logged many minutes this season, but with the emergence of Parker, does he have much of future in Vancouver? Beyond whatever Robinson wants, would Kah want to come back to split time or even back up Parker?

A similar question exists in the case of fellow veterans Mauro Rosales and Robert Earnshaw. Rosales was very much involved this season and probably contributed as much as expected, even factoring in his injury problems. Earnshaw made the most of his extremely limited minutes, but there is a feeling that either way his situation goes, it will be a footnote. If the Whitecaps go out and get the two or three impact attacking players they need in order to improve, these two could be seen a surplus to requirements.

The bottom line

Robinson has crafted a fine core with which to work. If he is able to sign Techera to a permanent deal and acquire two other attacking players, it will be a successful off-season.

Unfortunately, these sorts of players tend to be expensive. Between navigating the salary cap, dealing with a transfer fee in the case of Techera, and potentially trying to convince ownership to shell out a bit more dough for that fee or for increased salary, one gets the sense Robinson won’t be having much of a break this winter.

Martin MacMahon is a Vancouver-based writer. Follow him on Twitter