VANCOUVER, B.C. – Vancouver Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson is a student of the game. Every match, every training session is meticulously documented in one of his many notebooks. They're reviewed, they're analyzed and game plans are drawn up.
He's also a planner, always with one eye on what lies ahead. Robinson has already mapped out certain changes to his starting lineup for the whole season to come. He knows which of his younger and fringe players will ideally play in which particular games as the year goes on.
Injuries and form can obviously throw a spanner in such works. But Robinson has already showed that he isn't one to shy away from squad rotation, resting even his star performers on occasions.
A lot of it comes down to sports science. Robinson and the Whitecaps are big advocates of the field, which studies the effects performance has on a player's body and mind.
"The schedule will be managed with every player," Robinson told reporters at training on Thursday. "I think it's known that we've got arguably the best sports science team, not just in Major League Soccer but in North America. We are that detailed to each individual.
"It's an important part of modern-day football and something that gets passed across to me. I'll make the final decision about what I think is right after speaking to my players as well."
The Whitecaps are currently in a part of their season where such squad management decisions must be made. As Vancouver get set to head to San Jose on Saturday (10:30 pm ET, TSN2 in Canada, MLS LIVE in US), they will be playing their third game in the space of eight days.
Robinson may have a young, fit squad, but he admits that
their 2-2 midweek draw with Columbus
has left some of his players "dead on their feet" after two high-paced games in quick succession, and signaled that further changes are expected against the Earthquakes.
"Three games in a week is never easy for any player," Robinson said. "It’s getting a sense of my players and who’s ready to go and who’s not. If I ask them if they all want to play, they’ll all say yes. It’s based on their age, it’s based on what I think is right for the team and bringing some energy into the team.
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"I did it against Columbus and it worked to an extent, and the players coming off the bench made a big difference as well. I’ll do that again on Saturday."
Making changes to a winning team may surprise some onlookers. But Robinson has always been a firm believer that you have a squad for a reason, and the top sides will be the ones who can utilize it to the maximum.
Avoiding a late-season burnout of his key contributors and getting his fringe players valuable early-season minutes play vital parts in that.
"You’re not going to win anything or be successful with 11 players," Robinson said. "You need 20 to 24 players. I’ll get to use my squad because coming into the next few months, they’ll all certainly get their time. And if it’s right to do it this week, I’ll certainly do it."
