A 1-0 result over the Seattle Sounders this weekend was just what the good doctor ordered for the Whitecaps. Perhaps more importantly, the game had moments that were actually entertaining. It remains to be seen if this was simply a byproduct of the Cascadia rivalry or an authentic outcome.

It has been a bit of struggle for the Whitecaps since returning from their World Cup break. An uninspired effort versus a sub-par Montreal Impact squad, followed by a horrific performance at Colorado, raised some concern surrounding the club’s ability to develop and maintain an attack.

This, despite hearing coaches and management go on about the post-Camilo, post-Kenny Miller, post-Martin Rennie Whitecaps FC being a young, exciting, attacking team.

And to their credit, they have been largely successful in following through on their methodology. The team currently sits fifth in MLS in goals for and some newcomers (Sebastian Fernandez, Pedro Morales, Erik Hurtado) have provided some top class goal scoring. Mix in Pedro Morales’ ability to control games through the midfield and you have some pretty engaging soccer.

 But with a young core of strikers there is bound to be ebb and flow.

Erik Hurtado all of a sudden isn’t the same player he was just weeks ago. After scoring in 5 straight games, he failed to register a shot against Montreal and Colorado. It’s a learning process and he will have to learn to battle through being a defensive target. His game versus Seattle was much improved.

Kekuta Manneh has only provided glimpses of his talent this season despite playing huge minutes. Robinson has shifted him into a wide midfield role to help conceal his defensive deficiencies and more is still expected of him in the attacking third.

Darren Mattocks has seemingly played himself out of the starting XI after stringing together some impressive performances to begin the season. He started each of the first nine games of the 2014 campaign, while earning himself just one start in the last seven. In three of those matches, he’s been unable to get off the bench.

The forgotten man in all of this is Omar Salgado. The promising (can we still say that?) prospect has mustered just 31 minutes of playing time in 2014 and seems to be an afterthought on Carl Robinson’s agenda.

After the Whitecaps jettisoned veteran striker Kenny Miller in May, Robinson’s has been left with a stable of forwards all 23 years of age or younger. They all have shown plenty of promise, an abundance of talent and the ability to electrify. But they have also demonstrated the growing pains of young athletes becoming professionals.

Confidence and consistency can be fleeting. So too can be victories. (And smiles. And frowns.)