VANCOUVER, B.C. – After their jam-packed month of August, the Vancouver Whitecaps enjoyed some time off this week as they head into a bye weekend and what is a relatively quiet September.
Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson gave his players four days off following their disappointing 2-0 loss in Houston last Saturday, but his squad got back to the training pitch on Thursday, itching to get back into gameday action and continue their push for the Supporters' Shield.
"It was important for the guys to recharge physically and mentally," Robinson told reporters. "They've come back in a great shape, good frame of mind, training correctly and very competitive. We can get some training done. Proper training. Tactical training."
The break also gave Vancouver some time to dwell on the indiscipline that cost them dearly in their last outing.
It was a game that saw Robinson put out a young lineup, but it ended up being the more experienced heads of Kendall Waston and Matias Laba who lost their composure and pick up red cards.
"I'm disappointed that any guys lose their cool at certain times," Robinson said. "Obviously disappointed that we lose Mati and Kendall, and I spoke to both players. If we could have it back, then they wouldn't make those tackles.
"The game's about tackling as well. Arguably [Laba] is the best tackler, interceptor in the team. If he's gone to try and nick the ball, but he's caught his toe, how can you have a go at him? I won't. I'll explain to him he needs to make better decisions at better times, but I don't want to take that part of the game out of either of them, but I did tell them off."
The absence of Laba and Waston will disrupt the defensive spine of Vancouver when they finally get back to action against the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday (10 pm ET; MLS LIVE in US, TSN1 in Canada), with Russell Teibert also on international duty with Canada.
The loss of such key personnel may be frustrating, but being forced to use his squad depth isn't overly concerning to Robinson. It's been his modus operandi throughout the season and is what he believes to be a key factor to his side's success.
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"You need your squad," Robinson said. "If you don't play them, then they get burned out, and I think you've seen that with numerous teams this year. They've tried to keep a consistent team together, and they're struggling to pick up one or two results at this present time. I don't want to be that team."
Much of Robinson's squad rotation last month came in the Whitecaps' Canadian Championship and CONCACAF Champions League matches.
It's been a pretty set starting lineup for Vancouver in MLS action these past few weeks, and with the end of the regular season fast approaching, it's something Robinson is now looking to continue as he plans for the playoffs.
"I'd like a settled team," Robinson admitted. "We're pretty settled in a lot of areas. Obviously suspensions, injuries and that lot dictate other things. Places are up for grabs after two of my guys getting sent off last week, so there will be more opportunities there. But the more settled the better."
