By Kevin Koczwara
The Vancouver Whitecaps (3-6-0, 9 pts.) travelled to New England today for tomorrow’s game against the New England Revolution and I got to speak with the Whitecaps’ (5-2-2, 17 pts.)new coach Martin Rennie via phone after the team settled up in its hotel about his first year coaching in Major League Soccer and his team.
Under Rennie’s leadership, Vancouver has become one of the toughest sides in MLS to score against and the team got its first road win in the club’s short MLS history. The Whitecaps defense has the second best goals against record in all of MLS, only seven goals allowed in nine league matches, and sits fourth in the Western Conference with three games in hand over leaders Real Salt Lake and one game in hand on the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Soccer Guys: How do you feel about your season so far going into this game?
Martin Rennie: I think we feel like we’re making good progress. We had a good preseason and started the season reasonably well and we’re on a good run at the moment — five wins in a row. So we’re looking to just keep improving and winning if we can.
TSG: What’s been the biggest culture change from moving from the USL to MLS?
MR: I think there are a few things, especially in Vancouver where it’s a big club and there are big attendances every week and there’s so much media attention and interest every day, so that’s definitely different. The resources around the club in terms of staff and front office people. Just in terms of the league and the operation that surround it is a lot bigger. Every game is a tough game. All the players are tough players. So there are definitely some differences.
Under Rennie’s leadership, Vancouver has become one of the toughest sides in MLS to score against and the team got its first road win in the club’s short MLS history. The Whitecaps defense has the second best goals against record in all of MLS, only seven goals allowed in nine league matches, and sits fourth in the Western Conference with three games in hand over leaders Real Salt Lake and one game in hand on the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Soccer Guys: How do you feel about your season so far going into this game?
Martin Rennie: I think we feel like we’re making good progress. We had a good preseason and started the season reasonably well and we’re on a good run at the moment — five wins in a row. So we’re looking to just keep improving and winning if we can.
TSG: What’s been the biggest culture change from moving from the USL to MLS?
MR: I think there are a few things, especially in Vancouver where it’s a big club and there are big attendances every week and there’s so much media attention and interest every day, so that’s definitely different. The resources around the club in terms of staff and front office people. Just in terms of the league and the operation that surround it is a lot bigger. Every game is a tough game. All the players are tough players. So there are definitely some differences.
Jairo Arrieta: Is a 4-3-3 in the Crew’s Future?
With Columbus’ recent addition of Costa Rican forward Jairo Arrieta, what will become of Robert Warzycha’s lineup and formations? Will he stick with the more traditional two-striker formation? Or, maybe, will he opt for something a little more out of his usual comfort zone?
Arrieta will be joining the Crew from Deportivo Saprissa of the Costa Rican Primera División. He appeared in 161 games with Saprissa, scoring 45 goals and helping them win five championships.
The 28 year old will officially join Columbus on June 27th once the summer transfer window opens. However, he will begin training with the team by the end of May.
While with Saprissa, Arrieta was usually deployed as a left winger in a 4-3-3 formation. When mentioned to Warzycha, he didn’t seem too opposed to trying it. I, for one, would be very open to seeing Warzycha try his hand at putting out an attacking 4-3-3 formation (one that wouldn’t end up being a 4-5-1). A true, total football style of playing.
It would definitely be interesting to see our beloved Crew in this attacking style. However, I still have doubt in two things: 1) if Warzycha will be around then to implement this style, and, 2) if he is, will he have the cojones to try such a different formation from year’s past?
Arrieta will be joining the Crew from Deportivo Saprissa of the Costa Rican Primera División. He appeared in 161 games with Saprissa, scoring 45 goals and helping them win five championships.
The 28 year old will officially join Columbus on June 27th once the summer transfer window opens. However, he will begin training with the team by the end of May.
While with Saprissa, Arrieta was usually deployed as a left winger in a 4-3-3 formation. When mentioned to Warzycha, he didn’t seem too opposed to trying it. I, for one, would be very open to seeing Warzycha try his hand at putting out an attacking 4-3-3 formation (one that wouldn’t end up being a 4-5-1). A true, total football style of playing.
It would definitely be interesting to see our beloved Crew in this attacking style. However, I still have doubt in two things: 1) if Warzycha will be around then to implement this style, and, 2) if he is, will he have the cojones to try such a different formation from year’s past?
Arsenal Transfers: 7 Reasons Christian Eriksen Would Be a Great Fit for Gunners
Christian Eriksen, would be a pretty solid addition to of Arsenal 's squad next season.
While the likes of Eden Hazard may be snapped up by a more cash-rich English club, the Gunners may have a chance to snatch the Danish player.
The Gunners still lack a creative influence to play right behind Robin van Persie with Aaron Ramsey going in and out of form and not much production coming from Gervinho or Theo Walcott.
Eriksen fits into the Arsenal setup for a number of reasons and could be the player to start a new era of success for the club.
Here are a couple reasons why Eriksen would be a great fit for the Gunners.
While the likes of Eden Hazard may be snapped up by a more cash-rich English club, the Gunners may have a chance to snatch the Danish player.
The Gunners still lack a creative influence to play right behind Robin van Persie with Aaron Ramsey going in and out of form and not much production coming from Gervinho or Theo Walcott.
Eriksen fits into the Arsenal setup for a number of reasons and could be the player to start a new era of success for the club.
Here are a couple reasons why Eriksen would be a great fit for the Gunners.