Whitecaps Move Forward

The recent loss of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC to Dallas FC by a 2-1 margin was the final nail that sealed the fate of Head Coach Carl Robinson, Assistant Coach Martyn Pert as well as the Goalkeeper Coach Stewart Kerr.

Following the game two short days ago, one could sense that something was about to happen within the organization due to overall poor performance from the clubs on-field play.

The Whitecaps have a huge role to come up with in parts due to the funds they received from the transfer on Davies, so will this be the change that they need to not only win but also be on a recruiting spree?

It’s reported that Whitecaps FC Academy technical director Craig Dalrymple will take on the role of acting Head Coach for the remaining matches this season with the Whitecaps in search for the next Head Coach.

The press conference following Sunday’s match was delayed by a significant amount of time only to have an extremely frustrated Carl Robinson meet with the media.

Everyone blames the coach, but being realistic, the lack of on-field performance by the squad goes deeper than coaching duties involve and deep down one has to focus on the lack of performance by the players, not one – but all players!

Whitecaps FC President Bob Lenarduzzi mentioned “We have a lot of respect and appreciation for Carl and his team, and are thankful for the contributions they have made to this club. A lot of thought and consideration has gone into this decision, which was made with the best interests of the club moving forward.”

He (Lenarduzzi) continued “With five games left, we remain focused on our opportunity to make the playoffs. As we look to 2019 and beyond, we are committed to being a championship contender and a global search for a coach to lead this vision will start today.”

Carl was appointed Whitecaps FC Head Coach December in 2013 following two seasons as an Assistant Coach.

As Head Coach he (Robinson) recorded a regular season record of 64-59-42 and 78-71-50 across all competitions.

Robinson lead the Whitecaps to three (3) playoff appearances, which included two Western Conference semifinals, the 2015 Canadian Championship, and a semifinal appearance in the 2016-17 Concacaf Champions League.

Pert joined Whitecaps FC in January 2014 and Kerr was hired in January 2017.

Dalrymple has served as the Academy technical director since the start of 2014 after having first joined the program in 2010 as Head Coach before spending time as the assistant technical director.

Prior to the club joining the MLS he (Dalrymple) played four seasons with Vancouver from 1995 to 1998 and was a first team Associate Coach in 2008.

Whitecaps FC have five MLS regular season matches remaining including a pair of road matches at the LA Galaxy (September 29) and in Toronto (October 6th) then return home October 17th to host Sporting Kansas City at BC Place Stadium.

We wish Carl all the best moving forward and it’s just too bad that the Coach is always the “scapegoat” in situations such as this.