Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

November 4, 2014 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps proved a lot of doubters wrong this season. Under first year manager, Carl Robinson the team earned a playoff berth in the always competitive MLS Western Conference and put forth a strong lineup each and every night. David Ousted and Pedro Morales had outstanding seasons with the Whitecaps and the turnover and additions made during and before the season helped Vancouver perform above expectations this season.



Carl Robinson and his coaching staff brought in the right pieces at the right time and showed confidence in the young players on the roster. The Latin influence of players provided a terrific spark, and energy that lasted all season. Kendall Waston and Mauro Rosales helped awaken the Whitecaps from a summer swoon as they rebounded to make the playoffs. If the Vancouver Whitecaps can continue to make key additions, and nurture their younger players, next season should be even better with a target of hosting a home playoff fixture attainable.



Here is Red Nation Online's report card for the 2014 Vancouver Whitecaps players.



David Ousted: A+

David Ousted was a force to be reckoned with inside the Whitecaps net. The 29 year-old keeper posted 13 clean sheets, and made 96 saves this season. He played every MLS minute and never skipped a beat. The Danish keeper made breathtaking saves game in and game out. Vancouver would have been nowhere near a playoff spot if not for the stellar goalkeeping of David Ousted. The Whitecaps have found a gem in net with Ousted.



Pedro Morales: A+

In his first MLS season, Morales was terrific. He led the team in (10) goals and (12) assists, and he also took over the captaincy role when Jay DeMerit retired. His vision, passing, shot, and ability to read the play before it happens set him above and beyond his teammates in terms of skill. Morales broke down as the season progressed and injuries caught up to him. Credit to him, the Chilean still battled and wanted to play and practice as often as everyone else. An off-season with proper rest should do him wonders next season. Morales shared his overall thoughts on his first season in MLS.



"I think it was a good season for the team. I think that maybe this year it’s possible to get more points. In some games, we didn’t play very well. In Dallas, we didn’t play very good in the first half, but I think it was a very good experience for me this year in MLS. I feel very good about the team, my coach, my teammates and next year is a great opportunity for us to have another good season."



Andy O'Brien: A+

The 35 year-old Harrogate, England native just keeps getting better with age. Andy lost 10 pounds prior to this season and that helped him stay fit and healthy for much of this season. He was quicker on the pitch, and a big presence after the retirement of Jay DeMerit. O'Brien started 25 matches for Vancouver and was sound, and a vocal leader on and off the pitch for Vancouver. O'Brien is enjoying some of the most memorable times as a footballer with the Vancouver Whitecaps. He would like to return next year as he reflects on the 2014 season.



"A lot of the goals that we wanted to attain at the start of the season, we’ve managed to do. I think going into every season, you want to make the playoffs, you want to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League, the Cascadia Cup is always a goal. In terms of improvement, more or less do the same as what we did but obviously progress if we can a little bit further in the playoffs. I think I speak for the whole club and supporters that there’s a great anticipation for next year and that’s a testament to the work the boys have done this year."







Matias Laba: A+

The Argentine midfielder was a tackling machine and a ball winning magician. He protected the back-four and saved Vancouver a lot of goals against this season. Laba was in contention for team MVP and he should also be nominated for best MLS defensive midfielder. It didn't matter if he was paired with Koffie, Teibert or in a 4-4-2 diamond, or 4-2-3-1 formation, Laba brought it every match. He often frustrated and shut-down the oppositions best player.



Jordan Harvey: A

Harvey is a tremendous asset for the Whitecaps and his ability to go forward and contribute on offense was much-needed by the Whitecaps. He was solid at left-back and he was tied for first with (2) goals among Whitecaps defenders. He started an astonishing 33 MLS matches and was a workhorse on the pitch. At 30 years-old, he has been a key leader and voice of leadership for the young players on the Whitecaps. Harvey signed a contract extension with the club, and he is hoping next year will be the year the Vancouver Whitecaps host a home playoff match.



"Obviously, a home playoff game would be nice. Getting more points and allowing it so maybe we aren't doing that play-in game, because that’s always a difficult one, especially going away from home. But just building what we have this year. I think the consistency upped a notch, keeping the same core we have, and building on that. I think that will be a key to success."



Kendall Waston: A

The biggest summer signing for the Whitecaps was by far Kendall Waston. Vancouver had been looking for a tall, strong and powerful presence in the box at both ends of the pitch. Waston quickly improved Vancouver's crossing, and corner kicks. He scored the goal that sent the Whitecaps to the playoffs and he was also a stable force paired beside Andy O'Brien. A full 2015 MLS season with Waston should help the Whitecaps climb higher in the standings next season.



Mauro Rosales: A

The 33 year-old was a brilliant addition to the Whitecaps roster in late August. He proved a spark and a one, two offensive punch with Morales in the midfield. The veteran MLS player had a lot of motivation and energy after leaving Chivas USA and he gave everything he had in his 11 matches with Vancouver. Morales was the best Whitecaps player in a heartbreaking 2-1 playoff loss to FC Dallas.



Erik Hurtado: A-

Hurtado had his ups and downs in 2014, but for the most part he worked his tail off and gave the club all the effort and emotion he had inside him. His mid-season four match goal-scoring streak was a highlight for himself and the organization. Consistency is still an issue for the 23 year-old, but his effort and work rate showed can't be questioned. Hurtado should only continue to grow and improve as a striker in 2015.



Sebastian Fernandez: B+

The Uruguayan winger was a pleasant surprise in his first MLS season. He finished tied for third on the team with (5) goals. His powerful shot was not used enough, but when he did step up and have a go, Seba showed terrific skills. His ball skills, are certainly visible and his versatility was key alongside Morales and Rosales. Fernandez will have to corral his diving, and quick reactionary responses as he tallied six yellow cards, and a straight red against FC Dallas in the playoffs. Fernandez would like to return in 2015 and there is no reason why he shouldn't.



Steven Beitashour: B

Steven Beitashour came over to the Whitecaps last off-season to fill the void left by the retired Young-Pyo Lee. Beitashour finished with (3) assists in 27 matches for Vancouver. He was hobbled with a nagging hamstring during the last month of the season, and his overall performance suffered down the stretch. The Whitecaps only representative at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, had a good season first season with the Whitecaps.







Russell Teibert: B

Vancouver shifted Teibert into a more of a defensive role and he excelled along side Matias Laba in a holding midfield position. He was able to use his energy, and speedy to disrupt players like Robbie Keane and he filled in tremendously when Gershon Koffie was injured. With the departure of Nigel Reo-Coker, Teibert also took on a leadership role with the club. The Canadian International was an integral part of the Whitecaps starting lineup and started in a career high 22 matches. If he is asked to play more of an offensive role next season, Teibert must improve his shot and his (2) assist showing this season. Overall this was Russell Teibert's best MLS season.



Darren Mattocks: B

Darren Mattocks has always had a vast amount of promise throughout his tenure with the Vancouver Whitecaps. The amount of times he shows his skills, and ball abilities just isn't often enough. His lack of interest doesn't always seem present when he is playing. Darren finished second on the team with (6) goals and he also added (3) assists. Mattocks has drawn a mountain of criticism from the fans and media, and a change of scenery could be best for both parties.



Kekuta Manneh: B

19 year-old Manneh started the 2014 campaign with a back injury and didn't find his full stride until mid-season. Even as a teenager, Manneh has shown he can be a clutch player. As a substitute he scored an 81' minute goal in the second match of the season, a 1-1 draw to Chivas USA on March 16. After taking a knock from Obafemi Martins, Manneh came back from the sidelines and scored the only goal in Vancouver's Cascadian Cup clinching 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on October 10. The talent is certainly there and Manneh can only get better next season.



Gershon Koffie: B-

Gershon Koffie missed 10 matches with a foot injury and only started 17 matches for Carl Robinson. That's his lowest total in his four seasons with the Whitecaps. Koffie contributed (1) goal and (1) assist. His role as a defensive midfielder was greatly missed during his summer absence.



Johnny Leveron: C+

The calm and cool Leveron started 15 matches for Vancouver and was often paired with Andy O'Brien. He served as a backup and insurance policy behind DeMerit, O'Brien, and eventually Waston. If Leveron is to see more minutes in 2015 it could be elsewhere if Vancouver elects to bring back veteran defender Andy O'Brien.



Nicolas Mezquida: C+

The 22 year-old Uruguayan played in his first MLS season and contributed (2) goals in 14 appearances. Mezquida fell behind, Koffie, Laba, and Teibert in the crowded Whitecaps midfield. Mezquida's goals came away to Real Salt Lake, and the Philadelphia Union. Following that match, Mezquida only appeared in seven matches after the World Cup break. His future with Vancouver next season remains a question mark not yet answered.



Ethen Sampson: C+

With Steven Beitashour bothered by a hamstring injury, Sampson was able to fill in admirably for a pair of September matches against DC United and FC Dallas. He played well and was not overwhelmed by the situation at hand. Sampson also started at right-back for an injured Beitashour in Vancouver's playoff match against FC Dallas. 20 year-old Ethen Sampson showed enough promise and that might allow Vancouver to lean on him more in 2015.



Mehdi Ballouchy: C

Recovering from a significant ACL injury is not an easy task for any athlete. Mehdi Ballouchy returned to full fitness and made his Whitecaps debut on June, 28 at Colorado. He earned a trio of starts for Vancouver in 2014. His biggest contribution to the team was in the locker room with his MLS experience and leadership.



Sam Adekugbe: C

Sam Adekugbe made four appearances for the Whitecaps and earned his first and only start of the season on July, 16 away to Toronto FC. The future Whitecaps left-back will be pushing Jordan Harvey for more playing time in 2015.



Christian Dean: C

The towering Generation Adidas central-defender made his first MLS start on September, 13 as he filled in for Andy O'Brien against FC Dallas. The 2014 1st round MLS SuperDraft pick has a bright future and will gain more and more experience in 2015.



Carlyle Mitchell: C-

Carlyle Mitchell was the forgotten centre-back. He was a key part of Martin Rennie's defense in 2013, but the same could not be said under Carl Robinson in 2014. His play and minutes regressed and he never recovered. Mitchell started 8 matches in a row from June, 25 to July, 30 and did not earn any other MLS minutes this season. His first and only MLS goal came on July, 12 against Chivas USA. It would not be a surprise if Carlyle Mitchell departed the Whitecaps for greener pastures in 2015.







Omar Salgado: D

Nothing seems to have gone right for Omar Salgado since being drafted by the Whitecaps. His foot injuries have hampered his career, and his attitude issues have taken over when he has been healthy. He refused to shake Robinson's hand after being removed from a match on August, 16 against Chivas USA and he did not make an appearance for Vancouver after that. He had an October 12-day trial with Liga MX club Tigres, and his status with the team next season is unknown. Salgado needs to park his issues at the door and become more of a team player.



Paolo Tornaghi: N/A

Paolo Tornaghi never earned an MLS minute for the Whitecaps. He came over from the Chicago Fire to serve as a backup to David Ousted and he did a remarkable job from the bench for all 34 matches. We will never know what Tornaghi could have done in net for Vancouver, but that's alright because David Ousted was bloody brilliant.



Marco Carducci: N/A

Marco Carducci started both Amway Canadian Championship matches against Toronto FC and showed that he can play well against a top Canadian side. Although he did not earn any MLS minutes, the 18 year-old Calgary, Alberta native has a bright future with the Whitecaps and could be the clubs number two keeper in 2015.



Notes: The Whitecaps will hold player exit meetings this week in Vancouver before the players depart for the off-season.