Jeff Rueter examines the history of the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Designated Players in his ongoing series.

We’re in the home stretch of this series, reader. We’ve gone through the original franchises, the early stages of re-expansion, and the successful launch into Cascadia. At this point, there are just four installments of the Designated Report to read. We’ve covered 125 DPs thus far, and have just 14 left to go. We’ll knock over half of those out today.

When one looks at the Vancouver Whitecaps, they’ve got a strange role in the far Northwest. They’re often associated with Cascadia rather than their Canadian kin, but the Portland-Seattle rivalry often trumps them in the international spotlight.

This, by the way, is no slight to Vancouver. They are one of the most impressive developmental clubs in the league, producing and refining strong talents ranging from the speedy Kekuta Manneh to the prolific Camilo to recent additions like Alphonso Davies and Brett Levis. All told, the club is much closer to the profile of FC Dallas than that of Montreal or Toronto. That said: their DP budget isn’t anything to sneeze at.

(If I can take this time for a sidetracked thought: if at any time you hear Tom Soehn’s name mentioned in Minnesota United coaching rumors, remember that he was the coach and sporting director for the club’s first two years. He drafted Omar Salgado over Darlington Nagbe. More to the point of this series, he signed all of their DPs between their creation in 2011 and his departure at the end of 2012. That might seem like a short window, but he made four DP signings. It wasn’t pretty.)

All transfer sum numbers from Transfermarkt.
All salaries thanks to MLS Players Union surveys.
An asterisk (*) indicates a player who signed their DP deal mid-tenure with club.

Previous installments:

Introduction to Series and Updating Chart of Profiled Clubs
DC United: C
FC Dallas: C+
Columbus Crew: B
Sporting KC: B-
New York Red Bulls: B-
San Jose Earthquakes: C
New England Revolution: C+
Los Angeles Galaxy: B+
Chicago Fire: C-
Colorado Rapids: B-
Real Salt Lake: B
Chivas USA: B-
Houston Dynamo: D
Toronto FC: B+
Seattle Sounders: B
Philadelphia Union: C-
Portland Timbers: B
Montreal Impact: B-

Vancouver Whitecaps FC (founded 1992, joined MLS 2012)

FAVORITE FRUITLESS RUMOR: Nigel Reo-Coker, March 2014 (No really, he wanted to be a DP)

Eric Hassli (2011-2012)

Age When Signed: 29
Average Base Salary per Season: $660,000
Goals+Assists per 90: 0.587

Pre-DP:
Before landing with Dallas, Hassli was no stranger to MLS. Born in France, Hassli signed with French club Metz in 2000, getting 38 appearances over three seasons with a loan to Southampton wedged in the middle of his tenure. After finding it impossible to crack the lineup for either club, he headed to Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax and later Servette. In both instances, he saw lackluster minutes for mid-tier teams before getting his break with St. Gallen. He netted 18 goals in 47 games, boosting his reputation and being signed for a year with French Ligue 1 club Valenciennes. He again bounced to the reserves, heading back to Switzerland and spending four years with Zurich and rebuilding his reputation once again.

DP Years:
Despite a checkered past, Hassli became the Whitecaps’ first DP in 2011, plugging in as their leading striker immediately. Having terminated his contract with Zurich early to join Vancouver, he wasted no time to make his mark, scoring twice as Vancouver defeated Toronto. Though he did miss a handful of matches and came off the bench for another five, he scored a respectable 10 goals in his debut season as Vancouver found their footing in MLS. He was much less reliable in his second season, scoring just twice in 18 matches (9 starts) and assisting three times. He was traded in the summer to Toronto FC for a 2014 SuperDraft 1st round pick (#3, used on Christian Dean) and an international spot.

Post-DP:
After a seven-match stint in The Six, he was traded to FC Dallas for a second round pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft (used on midfielder Daniel Lovitz). Hassli made 15 appearances for the club, starting four games and lending one assist before a back injury kept him on the disabled list for the rest of the year. At the end of 2013, the team and the player mutually parted ways. Hassli spent two years with the late San Antonio Scorpions, making 38 appearances and scoring six goals. As the franchise ceased NASL operations, he wasn’t picked up by any club, and at 35, Hassli may be facing retirement.

Grade: C+
For making some historic firsts (most notably scoring the first goal in club history), Hassli has a little more clout than some of the next entries. He also boasts one of the best goal celebrations ever, as he once removed his jersey to reveal a second jersey, hoping to duck an automatic red card (he didn’t). After a blistering start to his Vancouver tenure, he flamed out and departed in his second year. That should remind people of a recent Whitecap DP…

Mustapha Jarju (2011)

Age When Signed: 24
Average Base Salary per Season: $400,008
Goals+Assists per 90: 0.000

Pre-DP:
The Gambian forward came up with Belgian club Lierse, scoring 23 goals in two years before signing with R.A.E.C. Mons in 2008. Across three years, he added 37 goals, helping as the club was promoted to the Belgian top flight in 2011. Meanwhile, he made 27 senior caps for the Gambian National Team, scoring 5 times. As the club targeted new players for the tougher competition, Jarju set his sights elsewhere.

DP Years: 
He signed with the club on July 17, 2011, making his mark as the first African DP in league history. Joining late in the year, he made 10 appearances with the Whitecaps (five of which were starts). He failed to score or contribute an assist in 450 minutes, showing no chemistry with Hassli and the rest of the attack as the club barreled through the rest of the year. At the end of the season, Jarju and the Whitecaps mutually decided to part ways.

Post-DP:
Jarju returned to Mons five days after leaving the Caps, scoring another 16 goals in two-plus seasons. He had a stint with the UAE’s Hatta Club in 2014, scoring 15 goals in 20 matches before trying the Kazakhstan Premier League. Before playing a game for Irtysh Pavodar, he terminated his contract, citing unpaid wages. He currently plays for Sporting Hasselt in Belgium.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53evP0yP6wc

Grade: F
When the club’s announcement of your departure is titled “Jarju moves on,” you know it was a bad match. The 6’0″ striker was a poor fit, never seemed threatening on the field, making only 3 shots on goal. In fact, he had more offside calls against him (4) than shots on target! It was a poor move for both sides in the bigger picture, but he’ll always be something of a trailblazer (or, at the least, a trivia factoid) in league history.

Barry Robson (2012)

Age When Signed: 33
Average Base Salary per Season: $439,992
Goals+Assists per 90: 0.317

Pre-DP:
The Scottish midfielder made his debut with Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 1997 (19 years old), earning 135 appearances in six years. He played another six years at Dundee United before signing with Celtic in 2008, failing to earn regular minutes over two years. He signed with then-Championship side Middlesbrough in 2010, serving as a regular starter over two-plus seasons. All the while, Robson was a late bloomer to the international scene, making his Scottish National Team debut at 28 and earning 17 appearances through 2012.

DP Years:
Robson signed a pre-contract with Vancouver leading up to the 2012 season as the club looked for leadership and midfield solidity. He joined the club at the start of the summer transfer window after finishing his season with Middlesbrough, ultimately starting 16 matches for the Caps. While he’s best known for his contributions off of the scoresheet in Scotland and England, Robson scored 3 goals and added 2 assists, helping the club secure their first post-season appearance. He started and went the full 90, but the club lost to the eventual-champion Galaxy in the Wild Card match.

Post-DP:
Robson joined Sheffield United at the end of the January 2013 transfer window, making 18 appearances in half a year. He then signed with Aberdeen, finishing his career with 60 appearances with his hometown club. He currently serves as a coach for Aberdeen.

Grade: B
Again, Robson was far from a flashy player. However, his steady play and tireless motor helped to motivate the young Caps to earn a spot in the knockout round of the playoffs. It was a short, budget-friendly stint that led to club success. That’s a win for the organization.

Kenny Miller (2012-2014)

Age When Signed: 32
Average Base Salary per Season: $1,088,936
Goals+Assists per 90: 0.481

Pre-DP:
The Scottish striker made his debut with Hibernian in 1998 (age 18), scoring 12 goals in two years before signing with Scottish giants Rangers. Despite getting 8 goals in 30 games, he went on a short loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2001, signing a full contract with them soon after. In five years, Miller became a club legend, scoring 50 goals in 162 matches as Wolves as the club fended off consistent transfer offers (most notably from Sunderland in 2005). As his contract expired in 2006, he signed with Celtic, becoming on of only three players post-WWII to play for both teams in the Old Firm. He moved to EPL side Derby County in 2007 for $2.5M, ultimately being sold to Rangers the following summer for nearly the same fee. In three years, he netted 49 goals, continuing his prowess in front of goal. He had a short stint with Bursaspor in 2011 before spending the next season with Cardiff City, scoring 10 goals for the Championship side.

DP Years:
One day shy of a year after signing Jarju, Soehn’s Whitecaps dove back into the international forward pool and signed Miller to an eighteen-month contract, joining up with fellow Scot, Robson. He made his debut six days later, ultimately scoring his first goal in August and coming off of the bench in the club’s first post-season match that October. He was more of a regular player in 2013, starting 19 matches and scoring 8 goals. He extended his deal to June 2014, playing the first nine matches of 2014 before a mutual agreement to end his contract and free up playing time for Darren Mattocks and Hurtado. All-told, he scored 13 goals and added 3 assists for Vancouver over the course of 24 months. Meanwhile, he earned his 69th and final Scottish National Team cap in 2013, scoring against England for his 18th goal in a friendly.

Post-DP:
Miller signed with Rangers for a third time and hasn’t left since, scoring 23 goals in two-plus years as he helped the club restore their place in the Scottish Premier League after their rule-breaking forced them into deep relegation. At 36, he’s more of a role player, but is still a forward that keeps defenses honest.

Grade: C-
His high cap figure knocks him down a level, but his leadership and timely goal-scoring helped the young Whitecaps. Already past his peak when he signed, his decision to hang up his boots internationally added a few years to his club career, leaving enough in the tank for his Caps and Rangers days.

Matias Laba (2014-Current)

Age When Signed: 22
Average Base Salary per Season: $386,667
Goals+Assists per 90: 0.035

Pre-DP:

Toronto fans may want to scroll down and ignore this one.

Laba came up the ranks with Argentinos Juniors, making his debut at 18 and playing 62 matches over three years. Earning Argentina U20 caps, Laba was the center of transfer rumors to bigger clubs in Argentina as well as the United States. After much speculation, the defensive midfielder ended up in Toronto for a $1.5 million transfer fee. Immediately, fans latched onto the player, as his selfless style of play as well as his defensive grit helped open up space for an improving Toronto side…

…however, ownership wanted to take their DP slots in a new direction. With the signings of Gilberto, Jermain Defoe, and Michael Bradley, Toronto was committed to a two-striker formation, meaning there couldn’t be two holding midfielders in Bradley and Laba.

DP Years: 
Laba was loaned across the country to Vancouver, helping the Reds buy some time as they sorted out their DP log-jam. He continued his strong form alongside fellow defensive-midfielder Russel Teibert, starting 31 of his 32 matches and continuing his run of steady defensive play, leading the league in successful tackles. The Whitecaps were able to make the move a permanent one before the 2015 season, only sending over undefined ‘future considerations’ for the Argentine. He’s continued to be the motor for the Whitecaps, helping them make the postseason in 2015 and rarely at fault as they missed this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed_rFLPjDG0

 

Grade: A
Cost-effective? Absolutely. A young talent in the midfield? You bet. One of the best at his position in the league at 24? They don’t come much better than Laba in a holding midfield role, and the club is lucky to field him on their side.

Pedro Morales (2014-Current)

Age When Signed: 28
Average Base Salary per Season: $1,200,000
Goals+Assists per 90: 0.694

Pre-DP:
Making his debut at 18 for local side Huachipato, the Chilean attacking midfielder was seen as a key player for the club from the start. After a strong U-20 World Cup, he moved to national giants Universidad, making 40 appearances and scoring 15 goals from 2007-2008. He was signed by Dinamo Zagreb in 2008 and failed to regularly play after a spree of injuries in his third season, spending time on loan with Universidad and Malaga before signing with the Spanish side in 2013. He spent one year with Malaga, scoring once in 15 appearances. He got 12 caps with the Chilean National team from 2008-2010, scoring three goals in three 2010 friendlies.

DP Years: 
After going the entirety of 2013 with only Miller as a DP, Vancouver brought in Morales for a $350k transfer fee, immediately making him the club’s captain. He was an instant MVP-candidate, winning 2014 Newcomer of the Year as the Whitecaps became a budding Western Conference power behind his 10 goals and 12 assists. Though Morales faced injuries and missed ten games in 2015, he still helped the Whitecaps qualify for the postseason for the second time. This year, he’s missed another six matches, scoring 8 goals and adding 6 assists when healthy. He’s known as one of the better free-kick and penalty takers in the league.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbDbDTIs408

 

Grade: B
Morales is a tough one to grade. On the one hand, he had a fantastic first season in MLS and helped the club return to the postseason. On the other, his role as PK taker has inflated his goal numbers greatly and his injury-prone nature has kept the Caps from reaching the height of their potential. There are rumors that he’ll be let go after the season, and as the club looks to return to prominence it’s understandable to open up their DP budget. Still, he has provided some fantastic moments for Vancouver.

Mauro Rosales (2014)

Age When Signed: 33
Average Base Salary per Season: $450,000
Goals+Assists per 90: 0.330

Pre-DP:
The Argentine attacking midfielder starting with Newell’s Old Boys, making his debut at 18 and scoring 30 goals across 119 matches. He signed with Dutch giants Ajax in 2004, earning a respectable 63 appearances over three seasons and refining his game as a distributor. At this point, he also made 10 caps for the Argentina national team, scoring the match-winning goal in a 2006 World Cup qualifier against Peru. He moved on to home country side River Plate after a $2 million transfer fee, again earning 64 appearances in 3 seasons. While he was close to signing with Mexican club Querétero in January 2011, the deal fell through. He went on trial with Seattle Sounders, ultimately signing on and scoring 5 goals while assisting on 13 more en route to winning MLS Newcomer of the Year. Rosales was traded to Chivas USA before 2014 to free up a DP slot. True to form, Rosales acted as a chief distributor when healthy, providing impressive and consistent key passes to Cubo Torres and co.

DP Years: 
Rosales was traded in August 2014 to Vancouver for Nigel Reo-Coker. As the Whitecaps looked to make a stretch run, Rosales made 10 starts, adding 3 assists while the club missed the post-season. Able to link up in a midfield with Morales and Laba, Rosales became an asset, albeit an expensive one.

Post-DP:
Rosales and Vancouver decided to restructure his deal before 2015, helping the player avoid the Re-Entry Draft. He continued his selfless ways but had less of an impact on the box score, scoring once and adding three assists while coming off of the bench in both of the club’s postseason matches. He was traded this past February for Blas Pérez, and has been a steady contributor off the bench for FC Dallas.

Grade: C
Tough to give much more than an average grade for a 10-game stint on a non-playoff team. Rosales added three assists and found a steady connection with his teammates around him, leading to an extended stay.

Octavio Rivero (2015-2016)

Age When Signed: 23
Average Base Salary per Season: $890,850
Goals+Assists per 90: 0.387

Pre-DP:
The 6’2″ Uruguayan striker made his debut with Central Español in his home country, making his debut at 19. A year later, he was off to Rentistas, breaking out to the tune of 10 goals in 19 matches as Rentistas qualified for Copa Sudamericana 2014. He was soon whisked away by reigning Chilean champion O’Higgins in 2014, continuing his torrid form with another ten goals in 16 matches.

DP Years: 
Rivero was signed as a Young Designated Player on Christmas 2014, looking to lead a front-line that suffered through the erratic play of Mattocks, Hurtado, and three months of Miller. He scored in his debut against Toronto, then again to win their second match against Chicago…then again in his third match in a 1-0 road win against Orlando. All-told, he ended up with five goals in his first six matches with Vancouver, winning MLS Player of the Month for March and becoming one of the hottest prospects in the league. He cooled off considerably afterward, scoring five more goals over the next 28 matches. In fact, things got so dire that manager Carl Robinson sat down with Rivero to watch footage of players like Juan Pablo Ángel scoring goals to try and remind him how to do it. After just two goals in early 2016, the Whitecaps were ready to part with their striker.

 

Post-DP:
Finally, Vancouver found a suitor for Rivero, signing with Chilean side Colo-Colo on the same day that their entire coaching staff resigned. He has yet to suit up for the club.

Grade: D
Remember how Hassli was an early success with Vancouver who flamed out and left after 18 months? Yeah, same thing, different player. If not for that one brilliant month, he would’ve been a solid F. That said, his early form had a hand in the club sealing a postseason spot in 2015, and his lack of goals had a direct effect in them missing the playoffs this year.

Vancouver Whitecaps Recap:

Average Signing Age: 28
Average Base Salary: $689,557
Average Grade: C

I want to preface my assessment by admitting to one thing: I love watching the Whitecaps play. The club has a fantastic stadium, a great fan atmosphere, and can occasionally provide exciting football through athletic talents and impressive tactics.

However, no team’s reputation exceeds their success to a greater level than the Whitecaps. The team has made the playoffs twice, but is seen as one of the most well-run, respected clubs in the league. Likewise, their reputation as acquiring savvy talent just doesn’t have the backing of their DP moves. They struck gold in acquiring Laba from cross-country foes needing to open a space for Giovinco. Morales had a great first year with the club. Miller had his moments. However, aside from Laba (and some would argue that his 2016 didn’t meet expectations) and Robson, every one of their DPs has been maddeningly inconsistent.

This is most notable with their failure to secure a truly prolific striker. They couldn’t rely on Hassli for health reasons, missed big-time on Jarju, caught Miller at the tail-end of his career, and relied on a remarkably rattled Rivero as the season wore on. They’ve had much better success fielding midfielders, and strikers are some of the riskiest commodities to acquire in soccer. If they score goals, you’re geniuses. If you don’t, you’ve failed, and all four strikers that Vancouver signed let them down, causing their grade to fall below where I may have expected.

Of course, all of this may be that they were my preseason pick to win MLS Cup. Minnesota would love to help you offload Laba, though.

Next week: Orlando City SC