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Whitecaps Decline Option on Captain Pedro Morales

By Gareth Wolff

Oct 23, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Pedro Morales (77) signs an autograph for a fan following a 4-1 victory against the Portland Timbers at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Pedro Morales (77) signs an autograph for a fan following a 4-1 victory against the Portland Timbers at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vancouver Whitecaps captain Pedro Morales looks to be on his way out of Vancouver after three years.

According to Marc Weber of The Province, the Vancouver Whitecaps have declined the option on the 31-year-old Chilean midfielder, meaning Pedro Morales will be available to other MLS teams. If neither Atlanta United or Minnesota United pick him up in the expansion draft, he will become available in the re-entry draft. After that, he will be free to move on from the MLS.

Morales joined the Whitecaps from Spanish club Málaga in 2014. He burst onto the scene in his debut year, scoring 10 goals and providing 12 assists in 34 league games and winning the MLS Newcomer of the Year award. After assuming the captaincy in 2015, he endured a frustrating and injury-plagued season, only making 23 appearances (15 starts) and scoring six goals (two from the penalty spot). Despite his struggles, coach Carl Robinson showed faith in his captain, signing him to a contract extension.

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This year had a sense of being a make or break season for Morales, and it was another frustrating season. He made 27 appearances and was top scorer for the Whitecaps, benefiting from being the team’s penalty taker (six of his nine goals were penalties), as the Caps failed to make the playoffs and Morales struggled with ongoing injuries. He was also red-carded twice, and got into a training ground scuffle with goalkeeper David Ousted. The Whitecaps were frequently labelled as lacking leadership this season, and many fingers were pointed at the team’s captain.

It’s still possible that Morales and the Whitecaps could sign a new deal, presumably for considerably less than the US$1.4 million that Morales was paid this year. But it seems more likely that the Chilean will be on his way and the Whitecaps will look for a replacement to fill his DP spot.

If this does end up being the end of Pedro Morales’ time in Vancouver, he had quite the symmetry in his career. Morales marked his Whitecaps debut with a goal as Vancouver defeated the New York Red Bulls 4-1 in their 2014 season opener. In what was likely his final appearance for the Whitecaps, he scored as Vancouver defeated the Portland Timbers 4-1 in their 2016 season closer.

Aird Also on His Way?

It looks like right-back Fraser Aird is also on his way out of Vancouver, if his Twitter feed is anything to go by:

https://twitter.com/FraserAird/status/800465295160774657

Aird had a difficult season with the Whitecaps, on a season-long loan from Scottish club Rangers. Aird was brought in to compete with Jordan Smith after Steven Beitashour was traded to Toronto FC, but neither player was able to make the starting position their own.

Related: Vancouver Whitecaps: 2016 Season in Review

Smith’s loan is also up at the end of the year and sources in Costa Rica report that the Whitecaps will not be making the loan permanent. Carl Robinson must have ‘right-back’ near the top of his Christmas list.

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