Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

September 8, 2017 Twitter

@HarJournalist

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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Whitecaps are soaring high as MLS rounds the corner into the final two months of the season. Carl Robinson's lads are sitting pretty, 4th in the western conference with 38 points via an 11-9-5 record. Vancouver will kick off four consecutive matches at BC Place, on Saturday night vs Real Salt Lake.



It's a vital juncture of the season that will play a large part in determining whether Vancouver are swimming up-stream fighting for a first round playoff bye, or struggling to hold down a playoff spot. Kendall Waston knows the importance of dominating at home.



“Massive, because we want to qualify. We need to make our home a strength. Winning is very important to get in first place in the standings," Waston said.



In seasons gone by, Whitecaps FC would have been bunkered in a summer swoon once the calendar flipped over to September. Fans, media, and curious observers would be making lists of who should, and shouldn't be back the following season.



That's not the case. Vancouver are in the thick of things, and comfortably holding down a playoff position. You could certainly make the case that this is the most promising the Caps have looked late in the season with the new achievements still attainable.



On the grind ahead of Real Salt Lake tomorrow. #VWFC #OurAllOurHonour pic.twitter.com/N8RgA7Dqkz — Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) September 8, 2017 "Yeah," Waston agreed. "The way that we are playing. The games we win out of Vancouver, on the road. That shows the character and the willing we have to be in the first position. It’s not easy having so much games on the road. Now these four games, we need to at least win all of them to be calm at the end of the season."



Calmness is not a feeling bestowed on sports fans in Vancouver. The doom, and gloom tends to match the weather outside. However, there is a delightful optimism. Whitecaps FC will host Real Salt Lake (today), Minnesota United FC (Wednesday, Sept 13), Columbus Crew SC (Saturday, Sept 16), and the Colorado Rapids (Saturday, Sept 24) at BC Place. Fate is their boots, and it's paramount Whitecaps FC set the tone early vs Real Salt Lake, and carry on strong throughout the home-stand.



“It’s important every game," said Assistant Coach Martyn Pert. "The real focus is not about the three games ahead of it, but the actual game we’re playing on Saturday. That’s what we’ve tried to do all season, the gaffer’s mentioned it all along, the next game’s the most important one, and it’s a big game. They’re close to us, a decent team, in a decent run of form. It’s a really important game.”



Having three matches in a span of eight days, twice before Thanksgiving will test the Whitecaps depth. Squad rotation is important so players do not get over-worked, and injured. Injuries, and suspensions are a part of football, teams that have the depth will prevail during crunch time. While 'Towering Tico, Kendall Waston would love to play each, and every single match. That's out of his hands.



"We work very hard from preseason to play as many games as we can," said Waston. "If the club doesn’t play all the same players, it’s because of Robbo. Everybody wants to play each game."



The 29 year-old Waston maintains that his fitness is "excelente" despite representing Costa Rica twice for 90 minutes during the September FIFA window. As 'Los Ticos' attempt to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Waston is living his dream with a Costa Rica berth in Russia in plain sight.



“It’s very emotional, because it’s a desire to be in the World Cup," admitted Waston. "We are very close, but in football, you never know. We have one game in Costa Rica against Honduras, and after, we play in Panama. Hopefully we could sort things out to be there.”



While Waston, Christian Bolanos, and Costa Rica are finding success in 'The Hex', Canada is on the outside, and won't be playing at the World Cup next summer. Instead, Canada hosted Jamaica for an international friendly at BMO Field on Saturday, September 2.



Whitecaps FC teenager, Alphonso Davies was shown a straight red card, seven minutes after entering the pitch in the second half. It was a violent kick that could have been worse had Davies connected with his Jamaican opponent. Davies has since apologized via social media. Waston offered his take on the incident.



I just want to apologize to @CanadaSoccerEN for my breakout on the field earlier today, and to the people that came to watch the game 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/eS19JHOZaa — Alphonso Davies (@AlphonsoDavies) September 3, 2017 “I didn’t see nothing," said Waston, as if he was the one in the wrong. "I just hear about it. I think from this, he’s going to learn, obviously. Sometimes when we are younger, we make silly things (mistakes). We know the type of player he is. I don’t know what was on (in) his head. I’m really really sure, from this he is going to learn.”



Learnings are what make athletes, and coaches better. Vancouver has an opportunity to learn from previous September slip ups, while trying to climb higher in the standings. Kendall Waston will look to lead Vancouver as he has done for Costa Rica in 2018 World Cup qualifying. Alphonso Davies is a young lad, and he too wil learn from what happenend vs Jamaica. He can't go back, he can only go foward and progress.



It's going to be a fascinating final nine matches as Whitecaps FC look to step on the front foot, and demolish all opposition that dare to step on the pitch at BC Place with them.