David “Ousted”

It’s no real shock that the talk in Vancouver is first the release of Whitecaps mainstay 32 year-old Danish goaltender  David Ousted and the Canadian National Women’s Soccer team.

Ousted was literally “OUSTED” from his position following his refusal to take a pay cut, which wasn’t made public by David until recently.

Given the fact he was re-signed the MLS all-star “tender” to a multi-year contract extension mainly in part to his impressive record.

He finished second in voting for the 2015 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, selected to the 2015 MLS All-Star game, player of the month for June 2015 and recorded 13 clean sheets tied for the league-high, 16 wins (second in MLS) as well as three penalty saves in the 2015 regular season.

He was acquired as a free agent in June 2013, making his debut for the Caps August 3rd and until recently played every minute in goal.

Earlier in the week at the year-end press event it was the final chance for the media to have a one-on-one with the players prior to their departure for the off-season.

When asked he (Ousted) mentioned “I’m disappointed, especially with the last couple of months here and I’m proud of what I’ve done this year and the way I played. Obviously, I didn’t get to finish it, which I would have loved, but it is what it is. It’s the business part of this game and it’s disappointing. But I’ve have four-and-a-half great years here.”

It’s speculated that he will return to play in Europe, but mentioned that he isn’t opposed to stay in the MLS and should that happen, he’ll have various clubs knocking on his door.

From the Clubs perspective, it is business as usual, but from a fan’s point of view – they were in shock.

So as the Whitecaps wrap up another season, the Canadian National Women’s Team hits the pitch with Christine Sinclair being the draw for the sell-out match.

To the surprise of no-one Sinclair and the Canadian team were the biggest story coming out of the Olympic games in London and since she scored six goals, including a hat-trick in the semi-final match against the US the world was in disbelief.

That marked the first medal in a team sport for Canada at the Summer Olympics in more than 70 years, so are we shocked to see her being selected among 10 players on the early nomination list for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award.

Others include stars such as US players Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe, Japan’s duo of Homare Sawa, Miho Fukumoto and Aya Miyama and Brazil’s five-time winner Marta.

You mention the name Sinclair and ask her for the reason of success and she will be the first to tell you it’s a team sport and the other one that deserves credit is National Coach John Herdman.

FIFA named the top 10 nominees for the World Coach of the Year for Women’s Soccer and to the shock of no one Canada’s John Herdman was among those selected with an impressive record of 14-7-1 so far this year.

The award winners will be announced at the annual FIFA banquet in Zurich January 7th, 2018.

Congrats to both and we wish David all the best as he moves forward.

It’s a loss for the Whitecaps and a win for whoever signs him in the off-season!!!