VANCOUVER, B.C. - If there's pressure on the Vancouver Whitecaps to get their faltering playoff hopes back on track at home to DC United on Saturday night (10 pm ET; TSN in Canada, MLS Live), then it's not shown at training this week.
With just nine matches left, the Whitecaps know that they need to take full advantage of two home games in five days. Maximum points would see them move above the red line again (what's the red line?), and despite the team being held off the scoresheet for three straight games, striker Darren Mattocks feels there's no need to push the panic button quite yet.
"Everyone's all confident that we can get this done, move forward and get into the playoffs," Mattocks told reporters at training this week. "Everyone goes through slumps. It's not just Vancouver. This is just a time where we've got to put our head down and work hard and it's all just part of the game.
"You're going to win some, you're going to lose some, but no one is overreacting or getting disappointed about not scoring goals or not getting points. Obviously that's the aim and the goal to get ourselves in the playoffs. No-one's really worried about it or getting too bogged down about it, we've just got to focus on what we need to do."
That focus begins with the visit of DC United. Vancouver are undefeated against Eastern Conference opposition this season and that has given rise to an increased confidence in Whitecaps camp, despite last weekend's poor display against Portland.
After a string of missed opportunities to consolidate their playoff position, the Whitecaps are now playing the chasing game and that may be what brings the best out of the team, easing some of the pressure and expectation that some feel hurt the 'Caps against the Timbers.
"I don't think we're in a position where we need to get tight where we put ourselves under pressure that it has to be a win," goalkeeper David Ousted told reporters. "We have to go in and play. Especially with the group we have. A lot of young players, a lot of players that are great going forward, getting loose.
"We can't afford to get tight in the last nine games. It's about going in and playing freely and not looking at the standings."
For his part, head coach Carl Robinson is putting no pressure on his players as they prepare to face DC. The Whitecaps are trying to recapture their early season form, and Robinson feels the way to do that is to simply relax and enjoy their football again.
"I'm saying to them to go out and express themselves, because fans want to see players express themselves," Robinson said at training. "I want my players to go and play. I think we played at the start of the season with a freedom and enjoyment.
"I don't want them to be tense. We were a little bit tense [against Portland] and didn't get the result. So I'll be the total opposite this week and say 'go and play with a personality, go and play with a freedom and enjoyment, but work hard'. That's one thing I do demand is working hard."
Michael McColl covers the Vancouver Whitecaps for MLSsoccer.com.
