VANCOUVER, B.C. – When Carl Robinson was appointed Vancouver Whitecaps manager in December last year, he didn't have to look for challenges right from the early going.
Vancouver lost Golden Boot-winning striker Camilo to Mexican side Querétaro, and Robinson was faced with the challenge of having to rebuild a squad that took a step back in 2013 after qualifying for the playoffs the previous season.
It was one the first-year head coach met head on, delivering the Whitecaps' most successful season in MLS to date after clinching a Western Conference playoff spot with a club-record 50 points, a CONCACAF Champions League spot for next year and a second straight Cascadia Cup.
As the Whitecaps settle in for a key offseason to build upon that success following their defeat last week in the Knockout Round, it's finally giving Robinson time for some reflection.
"Interesting," was the word Robinson used to sum up his first year in charge in Vancouver when he spoke to reporters this week. "From late December, when I took the job, to obviously losing one or two pieces and getting thrown in, was an eye-opener for me. I had to piece together a squad that I thought would be able to compete and cope, and we did that. But I know we can do better.
"I know we can be better prepared. There were a lot of good times throughout the season but also a lot of times where I realized that we do need to improve. So, a good start I would say."
With success comes added pressure, and Robinson is acutely aware that if the Whitecaps don't follow up this season's achievements with further advancement next year then it will be seen as taking a step back.
"We've created a culture now in getting to the playoffs with a certain points total and then losing in the first round," Robinson said. "A lot of positives from that. But we’re disappointed because we feel we could have gotten a little bit further, and we know we’re not far away.”
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He said the 50-point standard is one likely needed in the West to advance to the postseason, and achieving that goal will be an even bigger challenge with the Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City moving over from the East.
"We’re going to need to improve in certain areas, myself included, and we will,” he said. “We'll get better next year."
Champions League qualification also means more games for the Whitecaps next season, and Robinson wants to focus on getting more consistency from his side, particularly in the summer months. To get there, the Caps' coach faces what he describes as some "very difficult" decisions with regard to team personnel.
"I have got decisions to make, and I will make those decisions,” he said. “It will be for the benefit of the team and the club moving forward. They’re never easy. There will be changes, there will be additions coming in in January because I want to strengthen the squad.
"I feel that if we’re going to compete and try to get a home playoff game next year, which was the goal this year and it didn't quite happen, then we’re going to need to do that. And that will happen."
