SoccerWhitecaps put right building blocks in place

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You didn’t need to have the most expensive properties on the board; Boardwalk and Park Place would certainly net you a bundle of cash now and again, but they couldn’t be relied on to be winners on every trip around the board.

A more balanced portfolio was always a better strategy, and with the right properties in your stable, you were virtually assured of being successful.

In very much the same way, the Vancouver Whitecaps are slowly acquiring a collection of assets that will increase their chance of success when they join Major League Soccer in 2011.

A solid, familiar front office

They have a diverse ownership group that brings with it a wealth of business experience and a passion for the game of soccer.

They have appointed a CEO who has a proven track record in the game at the highest level in the UK. Paul Barber joins Vancouver from Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League, for whom he has served as executive director.

Barber also has experience working for the English FA as a commercial and marketing director, and he brings the soccer-specific experience that will be vital in moving the game forward in Canada.

In team president Bob Lenarduzzi, the Whitecaps have a name synonymous with the game in B.C. Lenarduzzi has served the club in virtually every role imaginable, and his experience at all levels of the game will continue to be a valuable asset for the Whitecaps.

In-house initiative will pay dividends

They have built an enviable residency program from scratch, in the firm belief that the best way to succeed tomorrow is to plan today. That philosophy appears to be paying dividends, as numerous players have made the jump up to the senior team, like Ethan Gage and Dever Orgill.

The latest addition to their portfolio of assets is their new Director of Soccer Operations, Tom Soehn.

Formerly the head coach of D.C. United, Soehn has a wealth of experience in Major League Soccer, both as a player and as a coach.

He spent five years as a player with the Dallas Burn and Chicago Fire, before moving into coaching. Soehn served as an assistant coach for six years before being handed the head coaching position at D.C. United, a position he held until the end of the 2009 season.

While his critics will point to the fact that Soehn’s record as head coach of D.C. United was average (36W - 31L -25D) - failing to make the playoffs in the last two seasons - his experience dealing with the complexities of the league should not be overlooked.

In much the same way as Mo Johnston does for Toronto FC, it will be expected that Soehn will use his knowledge of MLS rules and regulations to Vancouver’s advantage. Say what you will about Johnston in Toronto, he has built a team full of potential that is only a few players short of being a contender.

On-field pieces yet to come

One advantage that Soehn will have over Johnston is that he is unlikely to be burdened with the responsibility of coaching the team. His remit is to “develop and oversee the creation and operation of Vancouver’s player scouting, identification and recruitment system, as well as collaborate with the technical staff to formulate the roster.”

There is no mention there about coaching, and I think that has to be viewed as a smart move on the part of the Whitecaps.

Slowly but surely, they are acquiring assets. The most important ones are still to come - the players and the coach - but so far the Vancouver Whitecaps are giving every indication that they are in this game to win.

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