It’s been a very tumultuous offseason for the Vancouver Whitecaps. They may have lost marquee striker and 2013 MLS leading goal scorer Camilo Sanvezzo in unfortunate circumstances, but have gained the potential face of the franchise for years to come in midfielder and Designated Player Matias Laba – talk about a change in personnel!
The Camilo Sanvezzo saga has been a well-documented one; the sudden departure to Mexico and his determination for Vancouver to sell him was a surprise to everyone, especially the club. The tallest peak of the Whitecaps, he had proclaimed his love for the city on countless occasions to the point where he had begun the process of becoming a Canadian citizen in order to suit up for the Canadian national team. His departure was a tragic blow to the fans of the Whitecaps, and seemingly the offseason strategies for the club.
Toronto FC meanwhile was in a completely different scenario – they had too much of a good thing and needed to free themselves of a Designated Player to become roster compliant. They had four of them after the mid-season arrival of Laba, offseason acquisitions of Gilberto, Michael Bradley and Jermain Defoe and the departure of Danny Koevermans. Toronto didn’t necessarily want to sell Laba as he had been one of the top defensive midfielders in the league the past season despite appearing in only 16 matches; they attempted to hold on to him but it was an impossible mission in all fairness and seemingly looked to loan him out.
The stage was set – Vancouver was a buyer, Toronto a seller. Toronto had to get Laba off their books before March 1st, the day the salary cap came into effect. Thus, Vancouver excitedly snatched him up for “future considerations”. According to an interview with the Toronto Sun, Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko stated “Vancouver has a high hurdle to get over in order to keep him permanently… We’re comfortable that if they do, we’ll be in a very good position to reinvest into the team to make us better in a big way,” hinting that Laba may have a spot in the future plans of Toronto FC.
This deal works to Vancouver’s benefit as they do not have to pay a steep price for Laba initially – he is ready to make an impact on the squad from day one. If Toronto decides they want him back following this season, Vancouver will lose Laba which depending on his performances this season on the pitch and the specific terms of the deal is either a positive or a negative for as we know all too well, MLS doesn’t disclose salary or contract information. If Laba does not work out for whatever reason and he is returned to Toronto, then no harm done is the verdict.
For the time being anyhow, Matias Laba is very much a Vancouver Whitecap. It’s interesting to note that Laba had the highest tackles won per game ratio of any player in the league with 3.56 per game. With Laba, Koffie and Reo-Coker the Whitecaps are prepared to dominate teams with their stacked midfield, something their new manager (and former TFC player oddly enough) Carl Robinson will strive to build upon. More pressure will be put on the back of Kenny Miller this season – it’s safe to say that this must be his make or break year if he wants to remain a Whitecap beyond the 2014 season.
Robinson had this to say about Laba via the Vancouver Whitecaps official website: “He brings something that we haven’t got in our squad, he’s a defensive midfield player with a great tactical understanding of that role. He plays with great intensity, and obviously he covers a lot of ground. He’s hard-nosed, as most Argentinians are, and he’s got 80 [professional] games under his belt.”
Laba captained Argentina Juniors during his time at the club; he is only 22 presently so that says a lot about his maturity. He’ll find himself in a prime position to transition as a leader for the club as Kenny Miller and Jay Demerit’s careers wane; that is, if he manages to remain on the squad beyond this year.
Camilo obviously didn’t appreciate what MLS had to offer – Laba does and he has been rewarded for it with a spot on a team that will be pushing for the playoffs. Oh, and it looks like Laba will be paid on a regular basis unlike you, Camilo.
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