VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Vancouver Whitecaps offensive juggernaut came to an unexpected and sudden stop in San Jose on Saturday evening.
Despite leading MLS in goals (9), shots (99) and shots on goal (37), the Whitecaps failed to muster even one attempt on target against the Earthquakes. Head coach Carl Robinson has now had time to analyze the game tape from Saturday's loss, and for him, the reason was clear: His midfield failed to create.
"We got into some fantastic positions," Robinson told reporters at training on Tuesday. "Some of the movement and some of the set patterns that we identified as their weaknesses, we actually performed off to an art. The only thing that was lacking was the final ball. That's what let us down, because on another day, as we've seen in the previous two games, usually the passing or the final balls have been excellent and we've managed to get chances."
Adding to their midfield woes, Vancouver will now be missing Pedro Morales for the trip to Real Salt Lake on Saturday (9.30pm ET; TSN1 in Canada, MLS LIVE in US), following his late red card in San Jose. The captain's absence will force Robinson to make some changes in hopes of finding that creative midfield spark once again.
"It's obviously disappointing," Robinson said of missing Morales. "But it will give someone else an opportunity. Whether that's Nico [Mezquida], Mauro [Rosales] or we choose to go two up top, then someone else will get the chance. But we'll deal with it. There are other options. We could change the system slightly. Whichever way we decide to go, we didn't perform to the levels that we expect on the weekend, but prior to that we've been very, very good, so we won't change too much."
Morales' loss is somewhat countered by the welcome return of Rosales. The influential midfielder has been missing for almost five weeks after picking up an injury against Chicago on March 14. Rosales was back in full training on Tuesday and is likely to play a key role for Robinson in midfield at the weekend.
"After speaking to him, he'll be disappointed if he doesn't start," Robinson said. "Mauro is an experienced player, probably the most experienced player I've got in this group. If Mauro's fit and ready, Mauro will be involved. He's that important to us. He brings a different level of quality to the table."
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Rosales and Mezquida are both options to fill Morales' No. 10 role, but Rosales does not mind whether he returns in that position or on the right wing. He's just itching to get out on the field again.
"I'm working harder and extra to have some minutes to be back in the team," Morales said. ""We have a lot of guys that can step up and play in Pedro's place. Obviously he's an important player for us, but we have a few others with good experience that can play in that position and a few others who don't have that experience but have the quality. It's going to be difficult to compare who is playing at the same level as Pedro, but we can put somebody in with the same mentality, same concentration and the same willingness to get into the team and do well."
