Chicago Fire Vs Vancouver Whitecaps: 3 things we learned – A Vancouver Miracle

Chicago Fire, Vancouver Whitecaps (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Chicago Fire, Vancouver Whitecaps (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
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REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 23: Derek Cornelius #13 of Vancouver Whitecaps controls the ball against Robert Beric #27 of Chicago Fire during a group B match of the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 23, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 23: Derek Cornelius #13 of Vancouver Whitecaps controls the ball against Robert Beric #27 of Chicago Fire during a group B match of the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 23, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

2. Whitecaps fight against circumstances

The Vancouver Whitecaps came into this game with an average age of 23, such is the unfortunate circumstances they have been dealt with.

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They were already missing the likes of Lucas Cavallini and Toissant Ricketts. Then Maxime Chapeau suffered a fractured finger and is now out of the tournament, too. Their injury woes only worsened here with the departure of Jasser Khmiri due to a left knee injury.

It’s been a rough tournament for the Whitecaps, who were already shorthanded before the start. New signings and players didn’t join the team in Orlando due to health concerns, while injuries on the pitch have made the team play more defensive. Marc de Santos has done his best and will be given the benefit of the doubt.

Winning against the Fire is a huge feather in the cap for De Santos and his players, therefore. Going forward, they face much tougher opposition as one of the best third-place teams. But it would have been very easy for this team to simply give up on their prospects. They didn’t. They competed, and for that, they deserve great credit.