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The two PK goals, converted by former Whitecap Kei Kamara, were the fifth and sixth of the season against Vancouver, three more than the next closest team.

“Where we need to do a better job is, we defend the first ball, the first ball gets out, now here comes the second ball. Where are we? What’s our mindset? What’s our focus? Don’t foul,” said Dos Santos.

“Again, it’s the first time in my career there are so many penalty shots inside the first 10 games. It’s new. I’m learning. It’s a question of focus and awareness of where you are.”

It’s why a good portion of Thursday’s practice was spent in a set piece scramble drill, first defending a corner kick before immediately facing a cross in the following structural disarray.

Ironically, the Whitecaps have actually defended set pieces well this season. They haven’t conceded a goal directly from a corner kick or any from free kicks. And if you take away the PKs, they’re averaging just 0.8 goals per game, and their defensive numbers would be among the league leaders.

But, alas, one cannot pick and choose which stats to include. Even if the ones rescinded after the fact by the Professional Referees Association — calls on Jake Nerwinski vs. Real Salt Lake and Derek Cornelius vs. Houston — still count.

Dos Santos and the team talked at length about the other four calls, even if some of those were also debatable, and used them as teachable moments.

“It’s very difficult for a coach to eliminate (penalty kicks),” he said.