The Vancouver Whitecaps may be the hardest team to place in the Western Conference power spectrum. With the addition of Sporting KC and the Houston Dynamo, the situation became very muddled. Vancouver finished 2014 just a point ahead of the Portland Timbers for the fifth and final playoff spot and lost a thriller to exit early.

Overall, Vancouver was quite this off-season with only one big signing and a few additions to fill holes in the roster.

Roster Additions

Octavio Rivero: A 23 year old designated player from Uraguay with the potential to be a game changer.  Rivero joins Vancouver after a season with O'Higgins in Chile were he scored ten goals in 16 games.  He will definitely be the feature forward for this squad

Diego Rodriguez: Another Uruguayan coming to the Whitecaps this season.  Rodriguez is an experience center back to help bolster the defense. He is with Vancouver on a one year loan.

Pa Madou Kah: At 34, you can assume Kah was brought in to help lead and teach the defense as well as fill in for the younger defenders when needed.

Roster Losses

Jay DeMerit: Retired in 2014.  This USMNT player was an MLS All Star with Vancouver in 2012.  His presence and leadership will be missed.

Mamadou Diouf: After one season in Vancouver, which was spent on loan, the young striker's option was declined, likely to make way for Octavio Rivero.

Omar Salgado: Another young forward likely to not see much playing time this season, Salgado was traded to New York City FC for a portion of any future transfer fees..

Andy O'Brien: Another veteran defender that is no longer with the Whitecaps, the aging O'Brien was not offered another contract..

Season Outlook

Vancouver is the biggest wildcard in the Western Conference. They have loads of talent that can compete with anyone in MLS, but the Whitecaps somehow managed to barely make the playoffs. Gershon Koffie, Mauro Rosales, Pedro Morales and Matias Laba make a formidable and talented midfield core. Octavio Rivero may be the missing piece that pushes this team to the level of Los Angeles and Seattle.

It should not be forgotten that Vancouver has won the last two Cascadia Cups against both Seattle and Portland. They have already proven they can compete in the west and beaten the Sounders with hardware on the line.

Proposed Lineup

With the talented midfield, Vancouver will likely come out in the 4-2-3-1 like they did in 2014.

Ousted

Beitashour - Rodriguez - Waston- Harvey

Laba - Koffie

Roasles - Morales - Manneh

Rivero

Final Thoughts

Overall, fans can expect the Whitecaps to continue on the trend they have set and improve throughout the season.  With Rosales starting his first full season in Vancouver and the addition of Rivero, the offense should be even more productive.