After a two week break, the Whitecaps will be heading down to the big state of Texas to take on the boys in orange, the Houston Dynamo. The Whitecaps are going into this match undefeated and will looking to extended their win streak to three. The match in Houston will be the Caps' first away match of the new 2013 MLS season, they will be looking to prove themselves away from home like they have when they are at home.
The last time these two sides met in MLS play was back in June of 2012 when the Whitecaps knocked off the Dynamo with a score of 3-1. Darren Mattocks netted two and Jordan Harvey scored his first and only goal as a Cap to defeat the reigning MLS Cup finalists.
The most recent MLS match that the Whitecaps took part in was on March 9th against the Columbus Crew. The Caps came out 2-1 victors over the Crew with goals from Daigo Kobayashi and captain Kenny Miller, who will be absent due to international duty. The Dynamo are coming off of a 3-2 defeat to neighbours FC Dallas over the MLS Rivalry Week.
Whitecaps FC Keys To The Match
– Leadership: With the absence of Kenny Miller and also Jay DeMerit, look for Nigel Reo-Coker or Alain Rochat to step into the captaincy role. Whoever is to fill in, leadership on and off the pitch is essential for the Whitecaps to keep the squad calm and composed on the pitch.
– Strikers: On the topic of the absence of Kenny Miller, someone will have to fill in the vacant strikers position for this weekends match. Expect it to be Camilo or Hurtado in that position, although it could also range to Manneh or even Salgado.
– Grind out a result: With this being the Caps first away match of the 2013 season, a good result does not need to be pretty. A win is a win, no matter how the Whitecaps go about it. Expect a close hard, fought match for both sides, with few scoring opportunities.
Prediction
Whitecaps 2 – Houston 0
Match Information
The match takes place on Saturday, March 23 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. Kick off is at 5:30pm PST and will be shown on SNET PAC in Canada and MLS Live.
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