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Say this for Carl Robinson. If his career as the Vancouver Whitecaps’ head coach is coming to an end, he hasn’t lost his sense of humour.

“What’s the adage?” Robinson said after the Caps’ practice session Friday. “You’re hired to be fired. Never unpack your suitcase. That’s another one. And an old friend told me to leave it by the front door. Mine’s been there for five years.”

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It’s pointed out to Robinson that’s three coaching clichés in one answer.

“I know,” he said. “Not bad.”

Neither is his team. But that’s not really the point any longer.

Despite another decent season for the Whitecaps under Robinson’s watch, there’s a growing sense this will be his final season coaching the team. Whether it’s his choice or the club’s is the next question, and that will be answered over the next couple of months.

But whatever happens next, the consequences of losing Robinson are immense for this franchise. Over the last six years he’s established himself as the face of the franchise. He’s also created consistently competitive teams despite the penurious ways of Whitecaps ownership.