VANCOUVER, B.C. – When you look at some of the most successful sides in world soccer, one thing that often separates them from the chasing pack is their ability to grind out results, and especially wins, when they’re not playing anywhere near their best.
The Vancouver Whitecaps have been showing that ability in abundance through their first four games of this season. Three straight wins and three dramatic late winners have shown that the ‘Caps have the mentality to get the job done, no matter the performance. But they have also shown that improvements are needed in a number of areas to keep those wins coming.
While he’d ideally like to play attractive soccer and rack up victories, winning ugly isn’t bothering Whitecaps boss Carl Robinson.
"I don't think it was pretty from our point of view, but we won," Robinson told reporters when asked about his team’s latest last-gasp win, a 2-1 triumph over Portland on Saturday. "I could have stood here talking about how well we played and no points on the board. You can spin it whatever way you want, but it's about points.
"If I play brilliant all season and don't win one game, I don't think you're going to keep me here because of my delightful, intricate football. It's about results. We haven't found the balance yet between playing really well and winning. At the moment we've got the winning and we need to try and play really well."
There have been glimpses of the fast, flowing soccer that Vancouver has produced in the past, but their opponents have dominated possession in each of the Whitecaps’ three wins this season.
Robinson knows his side won’t be able to go through the whole season playing on the back foot, hitting on the counter and squeaking out the wins. Right now though, the confidence in his group is sky high and he feels that it breeds success.
"We need to play better, we know that," Robinson said. "It's a good habit to have, winning. At the moment we have a good, winning habit in this group, so it's important that we continue to work hard, continue to do the small details correctly and get a bit of luck along the way.
“It's not nice when you're chasing the ball for long periods of time, but we're going to have to do that sometimes.”
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Despite being behind in the possession stats, the Whitecaps defense hasn’t allowed many shots on goal. Chicago managed only three against Vancouver and Orlando just one. It’s in the middle of the park where the ‘Caps are being outplayed and with the LA Galaxy coming to town at the weekend (10 pm ET; TSN1, MLS LIVE), it’s an area that needs an instant improvement.
“We need to rest on the ball more,” said goalkeeper David Ousted. “Be able to keep it and not be chasing all the time like we were Saturday. Doing that, especially against LA, who again are such a good team on the ball, if we can keep the ball more and make them run, then I think we're going to have an easier time getting a result."
Michael McColl covers the Vancouver Whitecaps for MLSsoccer.com.
