Many fans were wondering if the Vancouver Whitecaps could replicate their form against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday night. With two matches in three days, the players looked a bit slower. But there’s no need to worry. There’s plenty of optimism to go around moving forward.<\/p>\n
Dean was selected as Man of the Match for the game against Philadelphia, and rightly so. Both Dean and Tim Parker<\/strong> shut down every legitimate chance the Union came up with. Dean looked comfortable on the ball as well, an invaluable trait to have in a center back. The 23-year-old continues to make it difficult for head coach Carl Robinson<\/strong> to exclude him from the starting XI, even with mainstay Kendall Waston<\/strong> coming back from suspension shortly.<\/p>\n Not only did Dean look comfortable, but he looked at home. The supporters section, and every other fan in BC Place, was well aware that he was a pivotal piece in keeping the clean sheet on Sunday night. This kind of play throws the metaphorical wrench in team selection moving forward. How can you sit a talented young player when they’re playing like Dean is? I guess this is why Robinson gets paid the big bucks.<\/p>\n This is all without mentioning the moment of defensive brilliance Dean had against the Union. Just inside the 18-yard box he pressed the winger to force a mistake and seamlessly changed the direction of his hips to steal the ball away, dribbled off, and started play forward. A moment of true beauty for all to behold.<\/p>\n .@christiandean22 ain't letting no one take the ball past him #VWFC<\/a> #VANvPHI<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/XJBvJRHPWa<\/a><\/p>\n — Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) March 6, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n