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'Caps go for durability

The Vancouver Whitecaps plan to put more emphasis on a player's ability to stay on the pitch moving forward.

The Major League Soccer club finished the 2015 regular season second in the Western Conference, but were crippled by injuries down the stretch before being bounced in the second round of the playoffs.

"Everyone wants to bring in exciting players, I'm no different, but the league is a very tough league," Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said Tuesday. "We got banged up with injuries towards the latter part of last year and this year. It cost us.

"You've got to be durable."

That durability is something that Robinson, who was hired back in December 2013, said he's more keenly aware of two years into his tenure.

Vancouver captain Pedro Morales missed most of the second half of the season, while veteran midfielder Mauro Rosales and defender Pa-Modou Kah were among a host of others hobbled for long stretches.

"Every department within the football club in being analysed," said Robinson. "I want less injuries, I want us to be fitter, I want us to be stronger, I want us to score more goals, I want us to continue our defensive play."

With that in mind, the Whitecaps announced Tuesday they had picked up the contract options on 10 players for next season, including goalkeeper David Ousted.

The 30-year-old Dane played every minute of the MLS schedule for Vancouver, finishing tied for the league lead with 13 shutouts.

Robinson said he wants to sign his No. 1 'keeper to a long-term extension, but added it's not entirely up to him.

"He's a big player," said Robinson. "I'd like to keep David as long as I'm here. We have a good relationship, but every young player, every old player dreams of playing in Europe and I totally understand that."

The club said it also declined six other contract options, with Kah and fellow defender Steven Beitashour cut loose, while Rosales and striker Robert Earnshaw remain unsigned.

"We're in a salary cap world," said Robinson. "We're still trying to bring one or two back."

Vancouver picked up options on goalkeeper Marco Carducci, defenders Sam Adekugbe, Jordan Smith and Tim Parker, midfielders Gershon Koffie and Nicolas Mezquida, as well as strikers Erik Hurtado, Kekuta Manneh and Darren Mattocks.

The Whitecaps said Smith's loan has been extended through 2016 with an option to transfer from Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa.

Vancouver is also hopeful of signing midfielders Deybi Flores and Cristian Techera on permanent deals after both arrived last season on loan, while defender Diego Rodríguez has returned to his Uruguayan club.

"(Techera) showed last year what he can do in relation to goals and assists," said Robinson. "We'll do everything we can to bring him back."

Goals dried up for Vancouver towards the end of the season, with first-year striker Octavio Rivero taking most of the criticism. He scored five in his first six games before bagging just five more the rest of the campaign.

Despite that lack of production, Robinson said he doesn't expect any big-name signings this winter, and will instead continue to mine for talent in South and Central America.

"I know what the model is at this football club. My job is to recruit, develop and coach young players," said Robinson, who recently returned from Panama. "We're not far away, but we know we're a little bit away because we're not in the MLS Cup."



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