'Caps collect Chicago's Tchani cash

The Whitecaps acquired $150,000 in 2018 Targeted Allocation Money, or TAM, from Chicago in exchange for midfielder Tony Chani.

Chani, an 8-year Major League veteran, only joined the Whitecaps in March, having been acquired from Columbus, along with $225,000 in 2017 TAM, as well as $75,000 in 2017 General Allocation Money, for striker Kekuta Manneh.

"We are thankful to Tony for his time in Vancouver and wish him all the best with Chicago," said Whitecaps FC manager Carl Robinson. "This move will give us additional roster flexibility."

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If you have to sell a Tim Parker, then you've already made a mistake

As per Kristian Dyer of the Metro New York newspaper, Tim Parker is said to have rejected an offer of 1.4 million over three years, or about $14,000 shy of the 2017 Designated Player threshold, and $58,000 less than he is reportedly seeking. All figures in USD.

Now, if you hadn't already realised by now, this is going to get a bit numbers heavy, but trust us, there's a point to it all.

According to the Players Union, Parker earned just shy of $100,000 last year. When it comes to professional athletes, $180,000 over three years doesn't exactly sound like a lot of money. But the Major League isn't like other leagues, in football, or in North America.

In 2014, Sportsmail compiled a list of 34 leagues from around the world and found that the average salary of a Major League player was 22nd, below that of the Greek Superleague, but above Columbia's Liga Águila.

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José Aja in, Tim Parker out?

Adding fuel to the fire surrounding the future of Tim Parker, the Whitecaps bought 24-year old centre back José Aja from Orlando City SC on Saturday, after agreeing to send $125,000 in 2019 Targeted Allocation Money to the Lions.

Should the Uruguayan remain with the 'Caps through 2019, they'll top up that TAM with a further $100,000. And if he's lasts three seasons, they'll also surrender their natural 2021 second round SuperDraft selection. Orlando will also retain a percentage of any future sell on fee.

That's a pretty price by Major League standards.

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Whitecaps add depth at right back in Sean Franklin

After four seasons with DC United, and ten in the Major League, Sean Franklin was a player without a club. Seeing Vancouver as an up and coming club, he jumped at the opportunity, joining the Whitecaps during the second week of preseason training. Of course, we're sure that the all-inclusive trip to Hawaii paid no part in his decision.

After experimenting with Jordan Smith, Fraser Aird, Sheanon Williams, and Jake Nerwinski over the past two seasons, adding the experience of Franklin is a good move for the club. Make no mistake, has been Nerwinski pencilled in as Vancouver's right back for many years to come, but as is the case with Tim Parker, that's why you write these things in pencil, not pen.

Franklin, a two-time Major League Cup winner with Los Angeles Galaxy, should prove healthy competition for Nerwinski, as well as depth in case of injury, or the always gruelling Major League schedule.

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'Caps add experienced Efraín Juárez to "do important things"

Ollie Duxbury, a Liga MX specialist for the Futbolgrad Network described Efraín Juárez as "a solid enough right back, quite versatile, can play centre, left-back, right; and centre mid." Duxbury added that "he was let go by Monterrey as they have better options. I feel he is an upgrade on what Vancouver" has, though he was quick to point out that he saw that upgrade only in the back four, not midfield.

That may owe to the fact that Juárez has spent the better part of the last decade as a fullback. But the player, and Whitecaps manager Carl Robisnon, are touting him as a box-to-box midfielder.

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With El Padre suspended, Peru turns to Magic Reyna against New Zealand

Peruvian captain Paolo "El Padre" Guerrero was handed a 30-day preliminary suspension by the PFF on Friday after tests came back positive for a banned stimulant in the wake of Peru's scoreless World Cup qualifying draw in Argentina on October 5th.

Doctor Julio Segura spoke with Peru's Radio Nacional on Friday, explaining that "at the national team, we are aware of what anti-doping control is... So, we don't use any substances that produce doping [results]. It's a shame what happened with Paolo, but I am sure there was no problem from our side."

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What a guy, Nosa Igiebor picks his "little brother" Jamiu Alimi for the team

According to sources in Africa and Vancouver, Nigerian international and current Kano Pillars FC centre back Jamiu Alimi has confirmed that he should join Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the start of the 2018 season.

“We have been on the deal for some months now, but I have been delaying the deal. So, I can confirm that by January, I should officially join them."

“I got series of offers in Europe, but I decided to join the league because America is a peaceful place, and Vancouver offered me a better deal compared to other offers I received,” Alimi added.

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'Caps transition, Laba out for the season

"Matí is an important member of the club and we wish him a speedy recovery," said Vancouver Whitecaps FC manager Carl Robinson. "Our priority now is to support Matí and help him get back on the field as soon as possible. It's a big loss for us, but we have confidence in our group as we enter the final third of the season."

The native of Villa Raffo, Argentina, will have surgery to repair his ACL in the coming weeks, and will miss the remainder of the season. The club fully expects him to make a complete recovery come the spring. But his season is over.

And with it, perhaps the Whitecaps' season as well. Matías Laba has long been one of the most unheralded players in the Major League. They say that a holding midfielder is at his best when you don't even realise he's on the field.

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Teal Bunburies 'Caps in the Bay State

Teal Bunbury, Canadian Football's prodigal son, continued his blistering pace by scoring a fourth goal in five matches as the New England Revolution beat Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 on Saturday night.

Bunbury finished off a nice passing sequence in the 53rd minute. Kelyn Rowe started it off by intercepting a goal kick by Vancouver's Stefan Marinovic. He sent it to Kei Kamara, who famously thought he was on his way to Vancouver before ending up in the Bay State. The ball was quickly returned to Rowe, who was on the right side, before being fed to a charging Bunbury, who found the back of the next from just outside the six year box.

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Whitecaps sign Egyptian holding midfielder Aly Ghazal

Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed central midfielder Aly Ghazal by use of Targeted Allocation Money.

Ghazal, 25, has agreed to a Major League contract through 2018, with a "club option" for 2019. He will occupy an international roster spot and officially join the club's squad pending receipt of his work permit, visa, and medical examinations.

"Aly is a top midfield player who is comfortable on the ball and strong defensively," said Vancouver Whitecaps FC manager Carl Robinson. "He fits into the way we want to play, has a lot of experience at a great age, and brings leadership qualities. We are looking forward to welcoming Aly to our club and city."

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Whitecaps add a touch of Magic to their attack

Whitecaps FC added Peruvian International Yordy "Magic" Reyna from FC Salzurg today. Reyna, a 23 year old forward, can play all across a three man attacking line, but prefers the centre forward role, where he scored one goal every 263 minutes last year, or just under one goal for every three complete matches.

He was acquired with the use of Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), and is under contract until 2018. The club has the option to extend his stay until 2020. Although he has agreed personal terms, the transfer is subject to receipt of his international transfer certificate, and his Canadian work permit and visa.

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