Daigo Kobayashi Whitecaps trial uninspiring

Is bringing Daigo Kobayashi back for a second kick at the can after his dismal 2013 campaign the answer? Goal’s Martin MacMahon weighs in.

Oh, I’m lookin’ for my missin’ piece

I’m lookin’ for my missin’ piece

Hi-dee-ho, here I go

lookin’ for my missin’ piece

There are times when a children’s book sums up the story better than any long-winded thesis ever could (although you’ll get one here, anyway).

For the Vancouver Whitecaps, their midfield has, since the departure of Davide Chiumiento midway through the 2012 season, had a missing piece, and perhaps Shel Silverstein’s work of the same name embodies the sort of quest the club has ahead of itself as it looks for its new creative spark in the centre of the park.

Last offseason, then head coach Martin Rennie sought to address the issue by signing once-capped Japanese international Daigo Kobayashi. Apart from excellent consistency in training sessions and a handful of impressive competitive outings, the player was an unmitigated flop – and at nearly $240,000 per year, he was a waste of cash and represented poor value in Major League Soccer’s salary cap world.

But so desperate are the Whitecaps to find their missing piece, Kobayashi is apparently joining the club on trial down in Casa Grande, Arizona,

via Martin MacMahon: Kobayashi Whitecaps trial uninspiring – Goal.com.