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September 21, 2016 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C. - The Vancouver Whitecaps are in a precarious situation as they fight tooth and nail to earn an MLS playoff spot. Carl Robinson's lads have four crucial MLS fixtures remaining and currently sit 8th in the western conference with an 9-14-7 record. Whether it's been defensive lapses, or scoring droughts, it's not been the ideal season for the Whitecaps with 37 goals for and 46 goals against.
Vancouver is still mathematically in the hunt for the playoffs, just six points behind 6th place Sporting Kansas City. The Caps will look to put together a string of wins vs Colorado on September 24 (Home), Seattle on October 2 (Home), San Jose on October 16 (Away) and the Portland Timbers on October 23 (Home). It's a challenge that Pedro Morales believes will take a lot of work, and positive attitude from the team no matter the difficulty.
"I think we have to do the right work," said Morales. "Four more important games, away and home. I think we have to demonstrate a good attitude, good game, hard work everyday no matter what, if you lose or if you win. I think the last game was a very good example for us, we played really well against a good team."
Vancouver's last game finished in a 1-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field on Saturday. A team that the Caps are battling with to make the playoffs. That particular loss has hit fans hard, and some are already looking to next season. The Whitecaps skipper maintains positivity that the team will dig deep and find the required results to make the MLS playoffs.
"Yeah, I think so, but we have to work. I think now, maybe it depends on the other games. We have to still work and still play good."
The 31 year-old has taken his share of criticism during the Whitecaps uncharacteristic season. He's on the biggest wage ($1,258,900), wears the captains arm-band, and hasn't scored in MLS play since May 22, 2016 vs Portland. Morales is tied for the team lead with six assists, but nevertheless, his health, body language, and work rate have been vastly questioned.
Morales understands the concern of the fans and he wants the supporters to know that he's doing his best and putting in work.
"Yeah, I know, I know," said Morales when asked about his salary. "Always the people talk like this for (about) the money, but for me, no pressure. I love the pressure, I feel good. When the people speak about the pressure and why me no score, we have eleven players on the field, twenty-five players on the squad. (We're) all very important for the team, not just me. It's no problem for me, that the people speak."
It's widely known that Vancouver Whitecaps hold a player option to bring back Morales for the 2017 season. What they decide to do with that option, is yet to be determined. Morales would love to return to the only MLS team he has played for. However, his performance might leave the Caps organization looking elsewhere.
"Yeah!, hopefully," admitted Morales. "I love the city. My family is very comfortable here, my son, but I don't know what's going to happen in football. (There's) always a lot of change, you never know."
Sports is a results driven business, and Whitecaps FC results haven't been what the organization, players, fans, and media expected this season. A Pedro Morales departure would certainly shakeup the roster dynamic and perhaps shift focus onto a new chapter in the Vancouver MLS era, but it's important to note that the grass (turf) isn't always greener on the other side.
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