Because Jason only allows me to cover Vancouver-based sports teams that carry an above .500 winning percentage, I’ve been taken off the Lions’ beat. So here I be, back to spilling virtual ink on the lovely Whitecaps, who most recently took on the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS competition.

After a positive result in Portland, Carl’s Boys came into the game with some confidence, some beer and some toast. Actually, come to think of it, I was the one that came into the game with some beer and some toast. An odd combination that somehow works well together, presuming the toast is homemade multi-grain sourdough and buttered exactly right. And it was. Oh, it was.

The Whitecaps’ defense presented another odd combination; with Jordan Harvey out on suspension and Sam Adekugbe, the club’s only other natural option at left back sidelined with an injury, young American Christian Dean took over on the left side. The Whitecaps’ third overall selection in the 2014 SuperDraft (this isn’t just your ordinary, run of the mill draft. No no no. This. Is. SUPERDRAFT!) acquitted himself with great aplomb in the aforementioned draw versus Portland and once again earned himself a spot in Robbo’s starting XI.

And after his performance on Sunday, this could become a regular occurrence. The boy can play and is showing, along with Tim Parker, that the Whitecaps’ depth at the defensive end of the field is there. Barring injury, they’ll be hard-pressed to find an abundance of minutes over the last half of the MLS season, but one can be sure they’ll find themselves on the field with regularity considering the Whitecaps face a daunting eight matches in August.

While Christian Dean was always considered to be a future stalwart on the Caps defense, Tim Parker, although hailed as “the most MLS ready player” in the 2015 draft, has nonetheless been a revelation with his steady play this season. The young duo has undoubtedly been aided by the creation of the club’s USL squad, allowing them to play big MLS-style minutes and to forge a partnership in central defense while being entrenched in Robinson’s style of play.

Parker and Dean (which sounds like a UPN sitcom) not only provide stability on the back line, but they bring something all organizations covet: versatility. Both are built like prototypical rugged central defenders, but both are capable of playing in wide positions as well. They have the pace to match up with opposing wingers and Parker, in particular, seems to embrace pushing forward in attack.

While playing out of position isn’t exactly ideal for either of the young backs, the fact that Carl Robinson can slot them in where required is ideal for this team.

And for a squad that struggles to find offence, depth on defense provides a big boost to a team competing for their first MLS home playoff game, a Voyageurs Cup and an extended stay in the CONCACAF Champions League.

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Side Note: The Whitecaps came away with a 3-1 victory over the visiting Quakes, thanks in large part to a Man of the Match caliber performance from Mauro Rosales. Perhaps thanks to some divine intervention, Rosales played his best game as a Cap while honouring the memory of one of his friends’ father, who passed on Saturday. Our condolences to all those affected by his passing.

@PuckedInTheHead @mdr7 @WhitecapsFC One of his best friends lost his dad on Sat. pic.twitter.com/qd7X8sbDN5

— Mynor Campos (@profecampos) July 30, 2015