Whitecaps 2009 squad in review

So, we lost in the final to a hot team, fair enough. Not a great way to lose, but Montreal were on a tear, winning all six matches in the play-offs after finishing strongly. We also finished strongly (one loss in 15 games, or something like that), and while our squad leaked some goals, we also showed that we could play and beat anyone (except Montreal, that is).

Who made the biggest contribution last year? Who should we keep, and who should be released? The organization has just helped out on this front, releasing star striker Charles Gbeke and midfielders Lyle Martin and Vicente Arze. They also extended captain Martin Nash's contract, and are talking to 'keeper and team MVP Jay Nolly.

The team also has to think ahead to their move to the MLS in 2011, a move given a boost earlier today with the announcement that plans to build a new retractable roof on BC Place will go ahead. Who is good enough to make the step up*?

With Nash and (probably) Nolly, there are four other players under contract. Two wingers, Ansu Toure and Tyrell Burgess, central midfielder Kenold Versailles, and forward Marlon James, who is 32. James' scoring record was pretty phenomenal (one goal every 100 minutes), but he was constantly injured. Nash isn't getting any younger, but he's a rock in the midfield and deserves as much loyalty as Vancouver fans have shown Trevor Linden. Versailles is a workhorse but lacks some vision. Burgess was inconsistent this year; Toure was such a great find.

Young stars like Marcus Haber (USL Rookie of the Year), Wes Knight, and (my favourite) lightning-fast Randy Edwini-Bonsu should be signed as soon as possible.

Gordon Chin was a revelation in the middle of the park; we really missed his energy in the first game against Montreal, and he should be top of the list for Lenarduzzi. Winger Justin Moose should also be re-signed. Chris Pozniak can play at the back or in the middle, and provides stability off the bench.

At the back, Shaun Pejic impressed since coming over from York City in England. Local boy Luca Bellisimo was a mite inconsistent but did well in the last few games of the season. Takashi Hirano will turn 36 next year, but still has his speed. At times he's a liability, but he's also very dangerous going forward. With Knight, that's my starting backline. Michael impressed in the one game I saw him, and should be given more opportunities. Clearly we need subs for the two wide positions at the back, with Martin gone. I can't remember who filled in for Hirano at left-back.

And that leaves who could or should be let go: Marco Reda was a liability at the back. I'm not sure Mason Trafford brings enough to the table. Nizar Khalfan was inconsistent but showed some promise. I would give him another year, but the club might not.

The rest of the players in the first team I'm not too familiar with, to be honest. Thoughts?

* Is it really a big step up? See an analysis of the numbers here.

Whitecaps cut Gbeke?!

What? What?? USL's leading scorer, with 12 goals in the regular season. A fan favourite after scoring both of Vancouver's goals in last year's Championship win. He's 31, and isn't getting any faster, but surely he's still valuable to the club.

Earlier this year he was involved in an on-field bust-up with teammate Wesley Charles (since released), and then after this year's final loss to Montreal he was "misquoted" in a French newspaper complaining about not starting. I wonder if these incidents were a factor. And I will admit to not a little frustration with him at times, but he always pops up with a goal just when you dismiss his contribution to the game.

Also released were seldom used midfielder Vincente Arze and the speedy if seemingly lazy midfielder Lyle Martin. Arze impressed at the beginning of the season but was inconsistent. Martin, in my view, was at fault for the goal that Cleveland scored against us in the final game of the season, a goal that had no bearing on the season but did demonstrate to me his commitment to the game/team. Interestingly, after that game he was pushed back to right-back and Wes Knight was pushed forward to right mid.