The Whitecaps are desperate for a victory at this point of the season as they have not given up the hope of making the playoffs. Currently on a four game losing streak, the chances of ending that streak will not be easy facing one of the best in MLS. Of the new additions, only Mustapha Jarju will be available as Jordan Harvey will have to serve a suspension due to an accumulation of cautions. The team will still be without their Captain Jay DeMerit as he recovers from an ongoing groin injury.
The starters up front will depend on if Hassli and Chiumiento are over their injuries and if they are ready to go then both should be starting. The departure of Dunfield means the central midfield will most likely have Vagenas and Koffie starting with Camilo and Salinas on the wings. The backline may return to the one before Harvey was acquired with Rochat and Boxall in the middle while Leathers is on the left and Knight is on the right. The goalkeeping duties should fall again to Joe Cannon who has made seven of the team’s last eight starts in goal.
Based on their previous loss to Real, it is clear that the Whitecaps can’t lose the battle of midfield so decisively. The central midfielders were so overrun in the first half of the game that the change at halftime was Morfaw coming on for Vagenas. Unfortunately, it did not make a difference as the second half was similar to the first with RSL taking full control of the game. While it won’t be easy they need put high pressure on Beckerman as he is the key link between the backline to the attackers going forward.
Going forward, the Whitecaps will be in a better position with Hassli in the line-up as he will give the Caps a legitimate threat to score from anywhere. Hassli on the pitch makes space for all the other Whitecaps on the field and his ability to hold up the ball will give them a chance to score on most of their attacks. The runs by the wings will be vital as well as both Camilo and Salinas will be needed to put pressure on the opposing defenders.
It won’t be an easy task for the Whitecaps to end their longest losing streak of their first season in MLS by beating RSL. They need a perfect storm for a victory as the Caps will need to play one of the best games of the season while the club from Utah will have to be off their game. Anything is possible in MLS as this could be a turning point the Whitecaps season or it could be another low a disappointing expansion season.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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