VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps are dreaming big in 2016.
Following a return to the playoffs two years ago, the Major League Soccer club accumulated a franchise-record 53 points last season en route to finishing second in the Western Conference.
The campaign ended with a disappointing playoff loss but veteran defender Jordan Harvey believes the Whitecaps are primed to go even further thanks to a couple of key acquisitions over the winter.
"Getting the MLS Cup is definitely attainable with the roster we have here," he said. "That's the goal, without a doubt."
Added central defender Tim Parker: "We have very high expectations. We want to win the MLS Cup as much as the fans want us to and the club wants us to."
Despite last season's success, which also included Vancouver's first Amway Canadian Championship, there were too many outings where opponents shut down the Whitecaps' one-dimensional attack that centred around trying to get in behind defences with speed.
It came to a head in a 2-0 aggregate playoff loss to the Portland Timbers where Vancouver failed to score over a 180 minutes of action.
With that in mind, head coach Carl Robinson set out to make his team less predictable by adding a variety of forward-thinking players.
"I've tried to bring in different pieces of the puzzle rather than having two or three pieces the same," said Robinson, entering his third season in charge. "We've got a different dynamic now depending on the situation within the game.
"We've never had that at the club since I've been here."
Vancouver retooled its arsenal by signing striker Masato Kudo and midfielder Christian Bolanos, while also adding veteran forward Blas Perez in a trade with FC Dallas.
Robinson made winger Cristian Techera's stay at the club permanent after last year's loan spell, but waved goodbye to midfielders Mauro Rosales and Geshon Koffie, as well as defender Steven Beitashour.
"You have to find solutions to problems," said the Welshman. "In games there's always lots of problems.
"Last year we didn't quite have enough solutions to the problems that we faced. Hopefully this year we'll be able to change that."
Depending on the formation he chooses to play, Robinson expects Kudo and Perez to push Octavio Rivero for playing time up front. Rivero scored five times in his first six league games last season before adding just five more over the next 30, including the two playoff outings.
"I want to have difficult decisions," said Robinson. "The team will be dictated by these guys and what they do on the training field."
Vancouver captain Pedro Morales struggled through leg injuries in 2015 that forced him out of the starting lineup for all but two regular-season games from the beginning of June onwards. The flashy midfielder who pulls the strings from the centre of the pitch is back healthy, however Robinson has more options at his disposal if needed.
The Whitecaps also re-signed defensive midfielder Matias Laba, hulking defender Kendall Waston and all-star goalkeeper David Ousted, meaning the spine of their formation remains intact.
Parker will be looking to build on a strong rookie season, while Fraser Aird was brought in after Beitashour's departure at right back. Harvey and Sam Adekugbe, meanwhile, will vie for playing time on the left side of defence.
"The coaching staff has put together a roster where we (scrimmage) and you don't know which team's the starting team," said Harvey. "You could put a number of different lineups out there and I think we'd have success.
"The additions we've made have ramped up our level."
And while Robinson is excited for the season opener Sunday at home against the Montreal Impact, he was more measured than his players when asked if Vancouver is good enough to win its first title in its sixth MLS campaign.
"We've got an exciting squad," Robinson said with a smile. "Twenty managers will get interviewed this week and they'll all say they have (championship) aspirations.
"I'm no different. I'm assembling a good squad to make the city proud, to make the club proud. We're all trying to win. If you're not in sports to win then you shouldn't be in sports."
