Guest writer Ashley Perry is back to guide us through the early weeks of the Major League Soccer off-season. As MLS gets ready for the 2012 season, Ashley runs the rule over the current Whitecap squad…

Vancouver Whitecaps FC have been busy in the transfer market and draft stages of the off-season, but it has been about tinkering rather than wholesale changes. When Martin Rennie was appointed as the third MLS manager of the club during the 2011 season, many tipped him to be very actively seeking changes. Here’s a breakdown of the changes so far and a look at the squad before the pre-season camp begins in late January.

Goalkeepers

The Whitecaps’ number one goalkeeper last season was the veteran, Joe Cannon. The passionate former LA Galaxy keeper has signed a new contract with the club. Fan-favourite Jay Nolly, who featured little in the first MLS season was traded to Chicago Fire. Brian Sylvestre remains a back-up keeper, although he has probably slipped further down the pecking thanks to the signing of Martin Rennie’s former starting keeper, Brad Knighton. Knighton has joined Vancouver from the Carolina Railhawks.

Defenders

Square-peg in the proverbial round-hole, Jeb Brovsky was the fill-in right-back for Whitecaps FC last year. He has now been replaced by South Korean legend Young-Pyo Lee – as discussed previously. In addition, the Whitecaps have added 22 year-old Chris Estridge using their second pick in the SuperDraft. He will certainly be a bit-part player but scored three goals and recorded five assists in 22 appearances in his final college season – an impressive tally for a defender.

Jay DeMerit, the club captain remains a stalwart in defence alongside the impressive late 2011 season signing, Caryle Mitchell. Michael Boxall, a New Zealand international, looks likely to be a back-up with unproven recent signing, Argentine Martin Bonjour.

At left-back, Whitecaps FC have talent in abundance. Alain Rochat, who is arguably the best MLS left-sided defender and Jordan Harvey who provides adequate cover gives the Caps confidence.

Midfielders

Much maligned for a worrying lack of possession, the Whitecaps midfield needed to improve. John Thorrington was re-signed and Gershon Koffie seems likely to be one of the first names on the team-sheet after his stellar season. Amongst the players who left the club, Nizar Khalfan and Shea Salinas were super-subs at best. A holding midfielder is an absolute necessity.

Creatively, the influence of former Juventus youth product Davide Chiumiento will be dependent on his motivation. It appears he quickly built a relationship with Martin Rennie and this will be crucial. A happy Davide is a brilliant Davide.

Rennie has also brought in Matt Watson from Carolina Railhawks, a key fixture in his starting XI during his time there. It seems unlikely that he won’t play a big part in Rennie’s plans in Vancouver although things may be worth using one or two of the forwards as trade-bait in the capture of a top quality centre-midfielder.

Forwards

After the poor finish in the 2011 season, Whitecaps FC were handed the second overall pick in the 2012 SuperDraft. Despite the rumours that the Montreal Impact were going to pick Jamaican hot-shot Darren Mattocks, they instead chose utility player Andrew Wenger.

“Darren has great pace and an ability to get behind the opposition,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie. “He has power, athleticism, and a good eye for the goal, which is always hard to find. He also brings a solid scoring record and we are extremely pleased we were able to select Darren.”

Mattocks scored 21 goals in 22 games for Akron last year and was a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy as the top U.S. college player. Here’s some brief footage of his style of play.

One thing of note was the play of Brazilian striker, Camilo, in 2011. A relative unknown, he quickly became a star for Whitecaps FC but rumours remain about interest from a number of Middle Eastern clubs. He scored invaluable goals last season, but his situation will likely be addressed before camp starts.

It remains to be seen what position some of the Whitecaps forward may play in the coming season but one thing is certain: changes are afoot. It would seem likely that Atiba Harris, Lee Nguyen (who was acquired via a weighted lottery in late 2011) and youngster Long Tan may feature in midfield rather than further forward. That’s assuming they used as makeweights in a deal for a centre-midfielder.

If as expected, Whitecaps FC utilize the fluid 4-3-3 system that Martin Rennie prefers we may see a very bold lineup when the team faces MLS new-boys and arch-rivals Montreal Impact. Here’s a predicted Whitecaps lineup if the season began today: Cannon; Lee, Mitchell, DeMerit, Rochat; Thorrington, Koffie, Watson; Camilo, Hassli, Chiumiento.

Ashley Perry can be found writing about the Whitecaps on The Renniesance and about European football on the Champions League.ca. You can also follow him on Twitter @ChampLeague_ca and @TheRenniesance.

Photo courtesy of blightylad1.