Why has the Vancouver Whitecaps defence been so unreliable and unstable lately?

There is multiple reasons towards this, but we might just have to rewind back to the start of the 2023 campaign. Where after 2 games of the defending seemingly still being below par of losing and conceding with Takaoka seemingly being left on a island of him being alone against the opposition. Eventually things got way better, as after the first clean sheet gained of the season for the Whitecaps in a 5-0 dominating victory over Real Espana in the Concacaf Champions League. The defending seems to be progressing in the correct direction, only conceding 3 goals in the next 3 league games. In fact, after the 5-0 triumph against Montreal they have kept a clean sheet in the league for 443 minutes in open play in the MLS, while keeping the goals away from the opposition at home for 388 minutes. The longest they've ever kept the opposition away from the score sheet in the MLS era, and the 2nd longest they've thrived for 388 minutes without conceding at home at BC Place. So you would assume they would continue on to thrive and rebuild the defensive identity as a new goalkeeper and a new defender bought in during the off-season. The acquired pieces Takaoka and Laborda seemed to be working especially Takaoka. But then after some more consistent performances after a game where they conceded two goals at home, the form started to slightly slip but then it may have found it's balance again, with a 2-0 victory over Seattle and a 3-0 victory over Pacific in the Canadian Championship. But then that was the end of the defensive reigns, as it all fell apart and now the Whitecaps are very defensively unstable and might be the thing that's holding them back from being proper contenders. Only 1 shutout in 4 months across all competitions, while the defending all around all the way from the forwards to the goalkeeper has regressed along the season.

Goalkeeper

The first initial thoughts when your defence is in a slump and collapsing like this, is probably your goalkeeper to see his recent performances. Takaoka has been in a slump for a while now. It seemed like after the huge derby win against Seattle on May 20th, his performances has been pretty subpar. As the shouts for him being a underrated goalkeeper and sneakily being one of the top goalies in this league is all gone now. The last time I thoughts that Takaoka impressed me was the Canadian Championship Final he genuinely made some incredible stops that match. The problem wasn't after the longest shutout streak, at times he just seemed too fatigued and tired at times. The communication he delivers from the goal where at the beginning of the season he was pretty good in that department, now it might still be clear but the same plans might be indifferent and the timing of the communication might be late. It is substandard the Vancouver defending recently, with Takaoka being to blame for multiple goals as well. I'm interested in what is going on with Takaoka because the dip in form and the downgrade from the start of the season is concerning. It isn't all to blame for Takaoka but he just has to recapture his momentum and groove from before earn the confidence back. I see loads of potential for Takaoka. He has been a fan favourite and brings diversity into Vancouver as it brings some Asians and Japanese while he has seemed to build a bond with some supporters. He might still truly be one of the most underappreciated goalkeepers in the MLS, the saves and aggression from before was unforgettable and he just has to try to perform and continue his aggressiveness and communication from before while making intelligent and clever decisions to make sure the positioning is correct when it is time for set pieces or not get caught out and daydreaming when it is crucial moments, he has to focus on everything and analyze, study the match when it goes on and I can see one day maybe not this season where Takaoka gets back to his old ways in the beginning of the season.

Press

Part of the pieces into the Vancouver defence is the high press where Vanni implemented, but it feels like if the team breaks it maneuvers slowly and breaks it with some quick and smooth passes. There is usually two waves in the pressure the high line and the first one being the higher line usually White and Gauld then the midfielders presses higher if the first line fails to put pressure. It is interesting because I see multiple times where the opposition breaks the high press then starts a attack against the defenders because they are left by themselves. The counter attack is always a element and dangerous opportunity in soccer but usually some of these starts up a 3v3 after the press that was slightly too aggressive. Maybe the Caps will have to go for more concise press leaving more players at the back and the other player goes in even more high and heavy running pressing in the front during being stabilized in the defence and not get rushed after the pressure gets broken. Another thing where I feel like has been narrowly worse over the course of the year, and this is not really discrediting the Whitecaps more of praising the beginning of the year where everyone I thought was great in the pressing department. I'm curious of the press going on as you cannot just go running every time when the opposition is playing from the back be more decisive in your decision into whether if you would go for a high press as that's something where I thought that can be more conclusive. But it was a interesting system where Vanni has gladly implemented and a huge part and a more known playstyle for Vancouver is the press.

Can the defence improve for the business end of the season?

First thing for progression and improvement on the defensive end in the business end of the season. You just have to be a bit more pessimistic as Vancouver has to tighten up and be less risk free with playing around at the back. The 2-2 draw conceding two goals because of silly and taking unnecessary risks. So during the most important stretch of the regular season and possibly the playoffs later on, maybe a range from 3-6 games left in this season. The formation by Sartini the structure he plays with, statistically the 4-3-2-1 was better in the defending as I believe both the 4 at the back and 3 at the back has the pros and cons in terms on defending. I do believe that the 3 at the back leaves less room for error, as when a mistake occurs you will be in massive trouble. The 4 at the back seems a bit thin at the central areas as some players are unmarked inside the box, the wide area get covered better and more tight with the 4 at the back. Some decisions by Vanni where he would prefer to stay risk free but still get the best out of this Vancouver Whitecaps team. Finally, moving on to the marking of the players. This is a mix between the players of the Whitecaps as some players are slightly too aggressive and get lost in their tackles and get dribbled past after some moves then leaves a gap and have to recover that makes others out of position and provide help. Then there are the defenders in this team that gives too much space, a good example would be the 2-0 goal in the 4-1 loss to Houston, where Blackmon just keeps backing off until the opponent is in a good position to shoot, with the regression of Takaoka we just have to be more protection in front of the goal and put their body to block shots but don't be in that position for failure if you put in a bad tackle where the opponent can catch you off guard because you are too tight and compacted to your opponents. So you'll have to find a good balance in these pivotal matches at the business end of the season.