Picault: Vancouver's new wingman
- Dean Petriw
- Jan 11, 2024
- 2 min read
Fafa Picault is the Vancouver Whitecaps new signing. A pure threat in the box, Fafa brings a great poaching threat to BC Place. Coming in on a free transfer, the Caps must be happy to have signed him without any finnicky GAM transactions. While a well-known player in the US, the closest team in proximity to Vancouver that Fafa has played for was the Huston Dynamo. So, lets familiarize ourselves with Fafa and see what he brings to the table for the boys in blue and white.
Fafa spent 2023 in Nashville where he notched 9 goals in 39 appearances. He most noticeably had a great Leagues Cup campaign where he scored three times, with one goal in the semifinal against Monterrey and another in the final against Miami. Yes, Fafa is the player who made Inter Miami fans groan in the 57th minute of the Leagues Cup final this summer. His goal ended up sending the game to penalties. Although he didn’t get to lift the trophy, he had a wonderful campaign.
Picault was ranked as one of top five MLS wingers in 2021 during his first season at Houston, and it is no wonder why. He scored 11 times in 31 games for the Dynamo. This included a brace against fellow Texan side Austin which snapped their 16-game winless streak. Their win before the streak started was against none other than the Vancouver Whitecaps. Fafa proved to be a great threat running into the box that season, and it remains to be a critical part of his game to this day.
When you look at how Vancouver lined up around the end of the season in a 3-1-4-2, you could easily see Picault fitting in on the left flank, a spot previously held by Laryea. With Laryea's situation in doubt he could find himself as a replacement. But, considering that Picault is a more attacking-minded player, it is possible he could play in a strike partnership, drifting out wide when needed. Fafa is a fast-paced player who relishes set pieces. If you give him too much space you will find the ball in the back of your net.
On a one year contract with a club option for 2025, Picault is a good choice for Vancouver. With his contract they aren't tied to the 32 year old if he doesn't perform in white this year. Adding him to the team increase attacking depth and maturity, and brings another familiar MLS face to the team alongside recent signing Damir Kreilach.
