Good Friday morning Caps fans, hope you all are having a lovely week and that the weekend promises rest and relaxation.
Well, Saturday is decision day, bringing to a close one of the most memorable seasons (dare I say the most memorable season) in club history. It has been a long and winding road, and one that took some twists and turns that no one could have seen coming.
If you had said the Caps would be one result away from winning the Western Conference immediately after Ryan Gauld went down injured weeks into the season, well, I don’t think most people would have believed it. Likewise, after the 3-0 humiliation against the LA Galaxy on July 4, I think it was assumed Vancouver had gone as far as they could go in light of the extra matches played during CONCACAF Champions League and would slink back down to the 4th or 5th seed in the West.
Yet all of our expectations were defied. I’ll talk about this next week when I opine on who I think should win each of MLS’ major awards, but what differentiates Jesper Sorensen from the other coach of the year candidates is quite simply the volume of matches played. No team has ever balanced continental play and MLS competition as well as Sorensen’s Caps have. And to do so without key players for the Gold Cup, a raft of injuries, and while developing pretty much every young player is a massive achievement. Hopefully that is recognized by the voters.
Of course, placing the cherry on top of the season is reliant on beating (or at least drawing) FC Dallas on Saturday. That would have seemed much more straightforward over the summer, when the Hoops were spiralling and seemingly waving the white flag on the season by selling Lucho Acosta. Instead, they’ve reeled off an all-time hot streak to put them in sight of the playoffs.
The Caps will be heavily favored, however, after Petar Musa and Logan Farrington were suspended for decision day, meaning Dallas will be without their two best players. And while Vancouver will have some pressure to win the west, they have proven this season that they will show up in must-win matches. Securing the one seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs (while also keeping LAFC or San Diego at bay until later on down the road) is a big deal and will be considered as such by Sorensen and the players. Here’s to savoring these last moments of a spectacular regular season.
Best of the Rest
Joedrick Pupe could sneak in his Caps debut against Dallas on Saturday. A welcome sight, as some depth for the backline is much needed.
A look at how Canada’s roster might shake out at the World Cup after a 0-0 draw with Colombia this week.
A glimpse inside the top storylines heading into decision day, including the ones that will feature the Caps.
MLS is getting (deservedly) dragged for publishing AI-generated match recaps. In a world where we need more good MLS coverage (and an abundance of underemployed reporters willing to do it) … why would you do it, man?
