First came despair: the summer transfer window closed and the Vancouver Whitecaps had failed to sign a third Designated Player to drive a trophy push. Then came hope: a DP arrived after all! Thanks to free agents being able to register even after the window shut, former Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong put pen-to-paper last month.

Then came more despair: Armstrong has barely played. The 32-year-old has made just one start and totaled 128 minutes for the Whitecaps.

The Caps are an above-average MLS team in basically every way. Their xG is above average, their xG allowed is above average, their shot-stopping is above average, and Ryan Gauld and Brian White form a well-above average pairing in the attack. But without Armstrong (or someone else) to refine average and make it truly special, it's hard to picture Vancouver making a deep run. Oh, and despite finishing above Portland, they'll have to travel to Providence Park for Wednesday's Wildcard game thanks to a scheduling conflict at BC Place. Just awesome.