Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson admits heB次元官网网址檚 walking a thin line between concern and worry.
The Whitecaps (4-5-3) have managed just one win in their last seven matches (1-4-2). In the last two games Vancouver dominated play and generated plenty of scoring chances but lacked the finish to put opponents away.
The problem was compounded by goals surrendered due to defensive lapses. In both games the Whitecaps needed second-half goals to overcome deficits and settle for 2-2 draws.
B次元官网网址淒oes it concern me? Yes,B次元官网网址� said Robinson. B次元官网网址淎m I worried? No. We just have to continue and hopefully we will get a little bit of luck along the way.B次元官网网址�
The Whitecaps will be looking for better finish and some improved defensive play when they face FC Dallas (4-1-4) Saturday afternoon at Toyota Stadium.
Robinson believes the Vancouver offence needs some tinkering, not a major overhaul. The Whitecaps have created scoring opportunities but too often long runs or passes falling at the feet of open players have ended in shots going wide or kicks sailing over the top of the net.
"Frustrated. No more words. We wanted to win. That's it."
B次元官网网址� Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC)
Post-Match:
B次元官网网址淲e need to go back to the drawing board on our finishing,B次元官网网址� said the former Welsh international.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the worrying thing but itB次元官网网址檚 a positive as well. We are creating but we just have to hit the target more.B次元官网网址�
Midfielder Felipe said the Whitecaps need more confidence around the net.
B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 hide from that,B次元官网网址� said the 27-year-old Brazilian. B次元官网网址淲e are creating on set pieces, we are creating on plays, we are creating in the box. ItB次元官网网址檚 just the ball canB次元官网网址檛 go in.
B次元官网网址淚 believe the team has to get confidence. In the beginning we werenB次元官网网址檛 creating. Now we are creating a lot of chances. We just need to capitalize.B次元官网网址�
With 12 games gone in their season, the Whitecaps head into the weekend fourth in the Western Conference with 15 points. ThatB次元官网网址檚 one less than third-place Dallas and a point ahead of the Portland Timbers.
Vancouver has faced a heavy travel schedule early in the season, with this weekend their seventh road game. The team has also dealt with injuries to key players like goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic, strikers Kei Kamara and Anthony Blondell, and midfielder Jordon Mutch.
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B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e dealt with a little bit of everything, the good, the bad and the ugly,B次元官网网址� said Robinson. B次元官网网址淭here are areas we need to improve and there are areas that we are working hard to improve.
B次元官网网址淲hen we play we need a little bit of luck. I donB次元官网网址檛 think we are getting the luck we deserve at the moment. We are missing too many chances. If we continue to do that (create chances) the luck will turn, and we will pick up some more points.B次元官网网址�
The match in Dallas will be VancouverB次元官网网址檚 third game in nine days. Robinson is expected to make some lineup changes to add fresh legs.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 challenging, you have to deal with it,B次元官网网址� said Robinson. B次元官网网址淵ou have to accept it and you have to embrace it and we will.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 why I will put some freshness in the team. We know itB次元官网网址檚 going to be difficult. We need to take our chances when they come along.B次元官网网址�
Marinovic is expected to miss at least two more games with a knee sprain, meaning backup goalkeeper Brian Rowe will start in Dallas. Blondell is healthy again but didnB次元官网网址檛 play in WednesdayB次元官网网址檚 2-2 draw against San Jose. Players like forward Erik Hurtado and defender Brett Levis might be tapped.
Captain Kendall Waston said the Whitecaps must be disciplined, especially with a temperate of around 34 degrees predicted.
B次元官网网址淭hey are accustomed to that weather,B次元官网网址� said Waston. B次元官网网址淲e have to play very intelligent. DonB次元官网网址檛 rush from the beginning. We have to keep the tempo.
B次元官网网址淲e run like crazy for 10 minutes we die.B次元官网网址�
Dallas FC has a 3-0-3 home record this season, but like Vancouver has settled for some draws in games they should have won.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not panicking,B次元官网网址� midfielder Kellyn Acosta told the Dallas website. B次元官网网址淪ome of those draws you want to get back because you missed out on some points.
B次元官网网址淲e know at home we come out strong.B次元官网网址�
Jim Morris, The Canadian Press
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