Whitecaps won 2-1 in a preseason game against Huston today. Played with two separate squads in each half and I thought I'd share some of the standouts.
YP Lee: No surprise he was SO much better than ANYONE else. Looked like he was playing against boys.
Mattocks/Hurtado/Manneh/Camilo: the first half these guys were together and Mattocks looked the least threatening (despite the goal). Camio, who usually has those games where he can beat defenders then take a bad shot decided to go playmaker today and had a couple nice set ups (one lead to the Mattocks goal). He looked really good as a roamer. Hurtado looked really threatening down the right wing with his pace and Manneh the same. Both our rookies looked great on the ball. Manneh's temper did shine through a couple times though.
Kobe: Didn't have much to work with in the second half and didn't get a TON of touches but you could see the quality he has on the ball. Had a couple nice looking set pieces as well.
Rusin: Can't really comment on his actual ability but he's an imposing presence out there. Omar Gonzalez is 6' 5" 205 and Brad looks just as intimidating at 6' 4" 215. For comparison that's bigger than Kassian in a sport where the average height and weight of a player is far less than hockey..
Paolo Jr: It's just one game but he looks like a guy that would have competed for a spot on the 2011 Whitecaps. Provided very little from the left flank. Got subbed half way through the 2nd half and immediately Evan James looked SO much better in comparison.
The other regular starters (Knighton, Cannon, DeMerit, Rochat, Koffie) all looked good as one would expect.