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Vancouver switches focus back to MLS, Columbus

Jul 5, 2011 - 11:44 PM Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Vancouver Whitecaps FC started its expansion season with an impressive win over Toronto FC, but over the last week learned once again it has a lot of work to do to compete in Major League Soccer.

Vancouver topped Toronto FC, 4-2, on March 19 in its first-ever MLS game, but has just one win in 17 league matches since, with a 1-0 defeat against Toronto last week its most recent defeat.

The Whitecaps followed that with a 2-1 setback to Toronto on Saturday in the Canadian Cup, ending their hope of playing in the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League.

Vancouver (2-8-8) can only focus on MLS now, and coach Tom Soehn has his work cut out for him. At least the Whitecaps return to Empire Field on Wednesday to face the Columbus Crew (6-5-6), who are third in the Eastern Conference.

The Whitecaps are at the bottom of the Western Conference, but despite their struggles this season, are just two points behind the New England Revolution in the overall MLS table and four points behind the Portland Timbers and Chivas USA in the West.

Vancouver's road trip also included a 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City in MLS, as the club has lost all three matches since a surprising 1-0 victory against the Philadelphia Union on June 18.

However, that result was at home, where Vancouver has posted both its wins and accumulated 11 of its 14 points this season. The Whitecaps hope to improve on their 2-1-5 home mark against the Crew, who have just one win in eight matches on the road this season.

Vancouver goalie Joe Cannon admitted the playoffs are not currently a goal, as the team needs to start getting results before that could become possible.

"As far as the playoffs are concerned, I don't think any of us can think about that right now," Cannon said.

"I think we all have to think about our jobs, and that means we have to start winning if we're going to stay around, and that starts Wednesday."

Columbus lost 2-0 at FC Dallas on Saturday in its last match, as its road woes continued. The Crew have been shutout in half of their eight road matches, and only posted a 2-1 win over Vancouver at Crew Stadium in April.

With Rich Balchan injured, Andy Iro suspended due to a red card and Emmanuel Ekpo out for accumulated cards, Columbus will have a tough time turning around its road form, but that's exactly what Danny O'Rourke wants the club to do.

"We need to start putting together some good performances on the road in order to be competitive in this league," O'Rourke said on the league's website.