Vancouver Whitecaps

The Vancouver Whitecaps have a ways to go before they can hang with the heavyweights of North American soccer, though they took a significant step up with the addition of Darren Mattocks with the No. 2 pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

The sophomore out of Akron was arguably the most complete player in this year's draft class—a speedy striker with the confidence and know-how to wreak havoc all over the pitch. He'll be reunited with former UA teammate Michael Nanchoff, whom Vancouver selected with the eighth overall pick in last year's draft and with whom Mattocks lifted the Zips to a NCAA championship in 2010.

Mattocks was the 2011 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and a semifinalist for the 2011 Hermann Trophy (the Heisman of college soccer) after finishing second in the NCAA with 21 goals on the season.

That sort of scoring prowess will come in handy for a Whitecaps club that ended the year with a minus-20 goal differential, by far the worst in the Western Conference.

Of course, 2011 campaign was Vancouver's inaugural season as an MLS squad. A record of 6-10-18 isn't exactly anything to write home about, but Mattocks' presence should help the Whitecaps improve to some level of respectability in the league.

The Whitecaps had two players—Camilo and Eric Hassli—finish in the top 15 in MLS in goals, even though the club as a whole ranked dead last in scoring with 35 (on the fewest shots on goal in the league as well).

Mattocks gives Vancouver a third scoring threat right out of the gate, as someone who can create for himself while also setting up his teammates.

And despite his Jamaican heritage, Mattocks should be well prepared to cope with the cooler temperatures north of the border. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Mattocks originally chose to attend Akron in part to better acclimate himself to less favorable weather conditions.

As for winning conditions, Mattocks may also have to get used to losing quite a bit more than he did as a collegian, though, with any luck, he'll have the Whitecaps on the road to MLS respectability in short order.

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Asia is knocking on Major League Soccer's door yet again.

Martin Rennie's Vancouver Whitecaps, who made history last season with the first-ever Chinese MLS player in Long Tan, have agreed terms with South Korean international Lee Young-Pyo on a two-year contract, according to 86 Forever.

Lee, 34, has played for clubs such as Anyang LG Cheetahs, Borussia Dortmund and most recently Al-Hilal, but is most noted for his work in the back lines of PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham Hotspur.

Lee made 75 Eredivisie appearances for PSV while recording another 70 league appearances for Spurs.

"He is an attacking full-back and is a big star in Korea having achieved so much success in Europe," former Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol said in a 2007 article for Soccerphile.

As a member of the national team, Lee made 127 appearances as a left back, scoring five goals.

South Korean internationals have competed in MLS before, the most notable being former Los Angeles Galaxy standout Hong Myung-Bo.

However, the signing is seen by the 86 Forever report as a questionable move, given that Vancouver already have a couple of adept left backs in Alain Rochat and Jordan Harvey. Also, the Lee signing could mean trouble for emerging players like Mustapha Jarju.

Before another packed house at Empire Field, the Vancouver Whitecaps picked up their fourth victory of what has proven to be a troubled inaugural MLS season. With a goal by substitute winger Shea Salinas, his first as a Whitecap, the team improved its record to 4-13-9.

It was a solid performance and the win was a big lift for the team, but the bigger story lies under the surface, and it's one that should give Whitecaps fans hope moving forward.

After enduring some deservedly harsh criticism after the Portland game last week, the Whitecaps back line, including goalkeeper Joe Cannon, put in a solid shift to blank the Dynamo's vaunted strike force.

It is a soccer truism that defense wins games, and for much of the season the Whitecaps defense was not doing its job too well. Whether it was due to injuries (captain Jay DeMerit and Alain Rochat, notably) or a combination of youth and fatigue (Michael Boxall and Greg Janicki), the Whitecaps were hard pressed to field a consistently strong defense.

Add to that the constant flip-flopping in goal between Cannon and Jay Nolly, and you've got a recipe for poor organization and communication issues galore. All of those problems were at the forefront in the Portland game, where the Timbers didn't rip the Whitecaps apart so much as the Whitecaps' defense gifted them with goals. 

But Saturday night saw a different Whitecaps back line, one that was composed, resolute, and could conceivably be called the strongest back five the team can field at this point. 

The difference lies in the middle, where Rochat and DeMerit were paired together for the first time in months, and the first time since the acquisition of left back Jordan Harvey. 

When Harvey was first acquired, from the Philadelphia Union for allocation money, many Whitecaps fans questioned the move. In Alain Rochat, the team boasted an incumbent left back who had quickly become one of the better ones in the league. Why in earth would the team replace him? 

It became clear very quickly that Harvey wasn't brought in to upgrade at left, he was brought in to upgrade the center by freeing up Rochat to become DeMerit's first choice partner. It may have taken a few games, but the partnership came to fruition last night.

While at times it looked like Rochat may have been rushed back from injury a tad too quickly, he and DeMerit nevertheless stamped their authority on the game, forming a good understanding with each other and with Cannon. Timely interceptions, strong tackles, and good distribution were hallmarks of their game, and they were strong for the full ninety minutes. If both men stay healthy, fans will be glad to see them marshaling the back for years to come.

They're not the only back line heroes either. Harvey showed that he is a worthy successor to Rochat at left, showcasing a Patrice Evra-like proclivity for dynamic attacking runs and great forward passing. In fact, it was he that began the move that led to Salinas' goal, delivering a nice early ball that sent the winger forward. With that and his assist last week at Portland, it looks like the left back role will be his to lose.

And Joe Cannon in goal proved naysayers wrong with a solid shift between the sticks, making a couple of really good saves. Criticized at times, and dropped for Nolly more than once, Cannon proved that he still has it with a fantastic save from a deflected shot and an even better one from a close range header. 

There is still much work to be done, particularly in midfield, but last night was a good step for the team. If the defense can hold together for the rest of the season, the Whitecaps will have a strong core to build upon for next year.

After it was announced that Carolina Railhawks coach Martin Rennie would be taking over the Whitecaps at the start of next season, I got to thinking who else from America’s secondary leagues (USL Pro and NASL) could make the switch and lock down a job in the MLS.

We have seen a number of players do it, from Osvaldo Alonso to Lamar Neagle, and of course coaches now make the change once every few years. With all that in mind, here is a list of five figures who are due for a promotion in the upcoming months. 

Luke Mulholland

Team: Wilmington Hammerheads (USL)

Age: 22

In his first professional season, the young Englishman has notched nine goals and four assists and is the USL Pro MVP favorite heading into the home stretch. He picks apart defenses with his passing ability and could be a good pickup for any team that is weak in the Central Midfield department. Also at 22 years old, he has plenty of years to develop into an MLS starter.

Jason Yeisley

Team: Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL)

Age: 24

Now I know FC Dallas fans might not think much of this kid, but the man is putting together a pretty good season down in Pittsburgh. Yeisley leads the Riverhounds in shots and is second in goals this season, and has impressed me in each of the games I have watched him play. Maybe, Dallas isn’t willing to give him another try, but a less competitive team should certainly give him a second chance with the big boys.

Kyle Hoffer

Team: FC New York (USL)

Age: 21

 Hoffer is the rock of FC New York’s defense and has the potential to be a solid starter at the next level. In a US Open Cup match against the New York Red Bull’s, Hoffer was excellent at tracking back and matching the pace of some of the Red Bulls’ best. Expect to see more of Hoffer in the upcoming years.

Jonathan Fana

Team: Puerto Rico Islanders (NASL)

Age: 24

The Dominican International has been tearing it up in his second season for Puerto Rico. Fana has eight goals so far this season and will likely get a call up from the DFF for CONCACAF qualifying next summer. It is hard to suggest an NASL player in a forward dominated MLS league, but Fana deserves a chance with some team next season.

Bob Lilley

Team: Rochester Rhinos (USL)

Head Coach

Since taking over the Rhinos in 2009, he has gone 27-16-6 and has inspired Rochester’s reign over the USL. He recently achieved his 200^th career win, making him one of the most prestigious and experienced coaches at the lower levels of the USSF pyramid. Considering he is a Jersey native, a NYRB contract might be in his future if Backe continues to displease.