Skip to content

Whitecaps extend head coach Robinson until 2020

Reuters

The Vancouver Whitecaps began preparations for the 2017 season and beyond on Wednesday, signing head coach Carl Robinson to a four-year contract extension.

Assistants Martyn Pert and Gordon Forrest also re-committed to the West Coast franchise for the next few years.

"The 2017 season started for us as soon as the final whistle went on Sunday," said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi. "Today's announcement is a statement that everyone is committed to the vision of our club."

The Whitecaps missed the playoffs for the first time in three years, finishing in eighth place in the Western Conference after a series of mixed results.

Robinson has never won a postseason game at the helm of the club, but Lenarduzzi seems convinced of the 40-year-old's qualities.

The former Toronto FC pivot first joined Vancouver in 2012 as an assistant, and took the main coaching gig in 2014.

"Carl's body of work over the course of his five years at the club has shown that he is one of the top up-and-coming head coaches in North America," Lenarduzzi added. "While this past season was certainly a learning experience for everyone involved within the club, we have complete faith in Carl's continued vision in acquiring the necessary players to build a team that will compete with the best in MLS."

Work on the next season has already begun. Robinson is hoping to build around the Whitecaps' core group of players, and that will begin with a scouting trip in South America on Thursday.

Among the key pieces in his side are Kekuta Manneh, Matias Laba, and Tim Parker. Robinson also awarded promising 15-year-old midfielder Alphonso Davies with his first senior call-up this season.

But one of Robinson's chief concerns is at the striker position. The Whitecaps didn't have a single scorer with goals in the double digits; attacking midfielder Pedro Morales carried the team with nine MLS tallies.

"As we've said all along, we're building the club for not only the short term, but the medium and long term as well," said Robinson. "We're excited to continue building our foundation.

"We've brought in a number of players who have contributed greatly to the successes that we have achieved so far. We have a comprehensive plan for 2017 and beyond; changes will be made and players will be brought in to give our fans the team that they deserve."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox