The Vancouver Whitecaps return to action after getting a much deserved week off as they face the Real Salt Lake for the second time in as many matches. The Caps drew the game at one with a goal by Mattocks after a first half penalty by Saborio but were unable to hold on to the draw after Saborio scored his second for the 2-1 result.
In that match Joe Cannon received a red card after touching the ball outside the box and will miss the match which means that Brad Knighton will get his first MLS start of the season. He will have a rested back four in front of him with Jay DeMerit and Martin Bonjour in the middle while YP Lee and Alain Rochat will play in the wide areas. In front of them as the fifth defender will be Jun Marques Davidson who will play the holding midfielder role.
The other two in the midfield will be Gershon Koffie and Barry Robson who will both look to marshal the centre of the pitch. Up top for the Caps will be Darren Mattocks in the middle with Dane Richards on the right and Camilo on the left. One of the first players off the bench should be Kenny Miller, who is looking sharper every day in training,
The Whitecaps were unable to handle the trio of Morales, Saborio and Espindola in the last match as they allowed them too many opportunities. The rest for the defenders, especially DeMerit, could very much make the difference in order to keep those three off the score sheet.
A quick goal could make the difference for the Whitecaps as RSL has had trouble scoring in their last four road games in all competitions with four losses and zero goals in over 360 minutes. In all four games the first goal came in the opening half with three of them being scored in the first fifteen minutes.
The pace of Mattocks and Richards should be able to back up the opposing defenders allowing more space for Camilo, Robson and Koffie to operate. The Caps will also need more attack from their two full backs down the flanks as both should be reenergized with the rest.
Every game is important going forward this season as they play all conference opponents so dropping points at home are unacceptable in the second half of the year. These are a vital three points for the Whitecaps as a loss will not only drop them further back of the Western table but could also potentially drop them in the standings depending on other results.
KEY MATCHUPS
Attacking
Darren Mattocks vs Nat Borschers
The Jamaican rookie leads the club in goal with seven and is third in goals per ninety minutes amongst strikers with a minimum ten starts. In addition to his scoring his pace is a factor in giving space to his teammates as defenders are unable to play a high line. It will be to the Whitecaps advantage if Mattocks can force Beckerman out of the midfield and help their backline in containing him. Against RSL he will up against Nat Borchers who may not get accolades of his fellow central defenders but is one of the best in MLS having been named defender of the year three times. The normally reliable player, having started at least 29 games for six straight seasons, has had to deal with a few injuries at the beginning of the season but looks to finally be in form.
Defending
Martin Bonjour vs Fabian Espindola
While many in the MLS world have praised the play of Captain Jay DeMerit, his partner Bonjour has had a strong first season in North America. He is a solid defender in the box who isn’t afraid to flex his muscle and play a physical game against the opposing attackers. In the match against RSL he will have to against fellow Argentine Fabian Espindola who doesn’t have the stats of his striking partner but is a very dangerous player. He is a perfect complement to Saborio up top as he is a playmaker as well as a finisher with his six goals and four assists. Espindola likes to drop deep in the midfield as well as drift to the wide parts of the field where he is capable of delivering a solid cross.
XFACTOR
Sssssssssssss BOOM?
The big question for the Caps coming into this game will be how Knighton will be able to replace Cannon, who was shown red in the last match, between the posts. While the younger keeper is more athletic and will be able to boot the ball farther down the field, how he organizes the back four will be the key. Will the regular defenders who are used to Cannon’s calls on the field adjust to Knighton when he is shouting instructions? The young keeper feels there will be few adjustments on his part when he takes the pitch.
“I really haven’t tried to do anything differently. It’s the same game. I’ve had reserve games, the Canadian Championship, and then I’ve played two appearances in MLS. Obviously it’s the first start, so you’re going to have a lot of emotions going and whatnot. But I’m just trying to prepare as I would before a normal week, even if I were playing behind Joe. I’ll just try and do the small things right and the rest will take care of itself.”
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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