Third Sub Episode 159: Whitecaps get job done in CCL, but MLS frustrations continue

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast! In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, as they reached their first international break of the 2023 MLS season. To begin, they look back at the 'Caps most recent games, as they first fell 3-2 on the road to Real CD España in the second leg of their Round of 16 CONCACAF Champions League tie, a score that was still enough to get them through to the next round 7-3 on aggregate, before they then split the spoils in a 1-1 draw vs the LA Galaxy in MLS play. They look at what stood out in those games, from the 'Caps persistent issue with marking wide balls, as well as their ongoing woes in the attack, seeing what needs to be tweaked. After that, they take a look at the team's recent starting lineups, having a debate on whether or not some players might need a look at where they fit in the team's best XI, and if head coach Vanni Sartini is trotting out his best unit each week. Then, because breaks can sometimes be a myth in MLS, they look ahead to this weekend, where the 'Caps (and 27 other MLS teams) are playing through the international break, as they travel to Minnesota to take on Minnesota United. A severely depleted Minnesota side, as they feel the effects of playing through this break, it's a huge opportunity for the 'Caps to grab their first win of the season, and they dive into why. Lastly, they take a look at some big-picture questions from the first few games, including Sartini's future, Julian Gressel's strong play and their CCL run, seeing what all of that means as they get set for a crucial stretch of play, one that could very well decide the fate of their still-young season. Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @thethirdsub.