After rough start, Vancouver Whitecaps’ defence got ‘back to basics’

VANCOUVER – Keeping things simple helped get the Vancouver Whitecaps back on track.

Following disastrous defensive outings in consecutive losses to start the season, the Whitecaps defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-1 on the road for their first victory before last weekend’s 1-0 home triumph over the Houston Dynamo.

Both wins came thanks in large part to a renewed focus when opponents have the ball.

“We just got back to basics,” said Vancouver head coach Carl Robinson. “Defending is about doing the basics very well. If you do your individual jobs and concentrate, it gives you a chance in every game.”

Defenders were uncharacteristically exposed in the club’s home opener, a 3-2 loss to the Montreal Impact, and then again six days later in a 2-1 defeat at Sporting Kansas City.

That caused the Whitecaps, who tied for the fewest goals allowed (36) and most shutouts (13) last season, to do some soul searching.

“It’s been about eliminating those big mistakes,” said Vancouver defender Jordan Harvey. “The last two games, back to our ways.”

Right back was a concern coming into the season on the heels of Steven Beitashour’s trade to Toronto FC, and Fraser Aird and Jordan Smith did little to allay those fears when both struggled out of the gate.

But Aird, a Canadian international on loan from Scottish champions Rangers, has steadily improved while learning a new position.

“You’re going to have ups and downs throughout the season,” said Aird, a converted midfielder. “The last two games when we played well as a team, I thought I’ve done a lot better.”

After allowing a goal on a free kick in Seattle, Vancouver registered its first clean sheet of 2016 against a Houston team that came in as the top-scoring side in Major League Soccer. The performance was especially impressive considering Robinson had to use midfielder Andrew Jacobson in the heart of defence with both Kendall Waston and Tim Parker away on international duty.

And while the Dynamo took control of the game when the Whitecaps went up 1-0 in the first half, Vancouver was encouraged by another solid defensive outing.

“The first couple of games was a learning curve,” said Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted. “We showed we can be a strong defence.”

Vancouver (2-2-0) will look to keep that momentum going when the Los Angeles Galaxy (2-1-0) visit B.C. Place Stadium on Saturday.

There was a time not that long ago when the Whitecaps were the Galaxy’s whipping boys — L.A. was 9-2-1 in the clubs’ first 12 meetings — but Vancouver swept the two-game season series in 2015 and finished ahead of the five-time MLS Cup champions in the Western Conference standings.

“It’s always a big game with L.A.,” said Harvey. “I feel like guys really step up.”

Vancouver is 2-1-1 over its last four against the Galaxy, who will be without injured stars Robbie Keane (knee surgery) and Steven Gerrard (calf), but still have a big-name lineup with the likes Nigel de Jong and Ashley Cole.

“We know their strengths and we know the guys who are coming in are top-quality players,” said Ousted. “It’s still an L.A. team that’s beatable.”

Notes: Waston (Costa Rica), Parker (U.S. under-23), midfielder Christian Bolanos (Costa Rica) and striker Blas Perez (Panama) are back from international duty for Vancouver. … All six of the Whitecaps’ goals this season have come from dead-ball situations, including four straight converted penalties from captain Pedro Morales. … Vancouver will be without forward Masato Kudo against L.A. after he was suspended one game for embellishment on the play that led to Morales’ spot-kick goal against Houston.

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