vs Date|Time: Saturday April 02, 2011 | 4pm PST Venue: Empire Field | Vancouver, BC Forecast: Partly cloudy, 12C TV Broadcast: Sportsnet Pacific League Position & Form [Last 6 League]: Vancouver: 1-1-0, 3 pts, +1 GD Kansas City: 1-1-0, 3 pts, +0 GD Last Meeting: N/A [First Ever Meeting]
I am cautiously optimistic about this one. I think the loss of Bravo hurts them more than the loss of Hassli hurts us if Chiumiento plays. I think defensively we have the ability to keep Kamara in check, and if Chiumiento is in the lineup, and DeMerit comes back so Rochat can return to the outside fullback (so he can make some rangy runs), I could see this one as a 1-0 win. My gut says 1-0 win with Harris playing his best game for us. I know the SKC forum believes this game to be a fairly easy 3 points, so hopefully we can prove them wrong. It seems like everyone thinks we are nothing more than Hassli and DeMerit and seriously underestimate other players like the Swiss duo, Teibert...etc. It might take halfway through the season before other team's fans realize that we are really a solid squad. Mind you, it's not like I really know what SKC is made of either. I'm just basing my guess on results thus far and what I have seen of our squad. With more equitable reffing, I think we get out of Philly with a 0-0 draw and a better record than KC, although KC has played slightly better opposition.
Jay Demerit left tonights USA game with an apparent hamstring injury, have to think he's questionable at best for Saturdays match now.
Agreed. Too bad, Akloul wasn't ready for the other outside back, for we'd have a very offensive defense. At this point in midfield it's a pick 'em. Khalfan didn't look great starting last week. If Salinas is ready obviously he starts otherwise it's probably between Wagner, Knight, possibly Brovsky and maybe even Davies for his first start on the wings. They'll (Khalfan & Salinas?) likely be the first subbed, too. What they lack in starting depth, Teitur will want to make-up for in fresh legs, though Khalfan can run all day. I wonder if Khalfan doesn't play better coming of the bench? I might be inclined to give Wagner the first half, for that reason. I know Morfaw and Harmse are available, but I see them as more depth players in central midfield. It looks like it'll be Camilo and Harris up front and if Harris can't go Long Tan will see some love, though he'll likely sub on as well. Hopefully, we get some set pieces and score off one, otherwise it could be a struggle. Camilo needs to regain his touch at Qormi. Cannon Rochat-Janicki-Boxall-Leathers Khalfan(Wagner)-Dunfield-Koffie-Salinas(Knight) Harris-Camilo(Tan)
Cannon Leathers Boxall Janicki Rochat Harmse Koffie Khalfan Dunfield Wagner Camilo I found this speculative line-up on the Southsiders website. Considering our depleted roster and the likely need of going for a 1-nil win it might be preferable to go defensive, especially if Harris is hurt; and Salinas is likely still out. I replaced Boxall for DeMerit.
Vancouver have already used 18 different players in two games, and it seems like there could very well be two or three more players making their debuts tommorow, that's just crazy for an expansion team.
As much as they're an "expansion" side, around half of the players played for VWFC last year in some capacity, the move to MLS was more of a promotion or whatever than TFC, which was a brand new entity to begin with(True-Expansion)
How is that relevant, that half of the players were with Whitecaps last season and how "true" of an expansion team Whitecaps are? Of course, I jumped on Vancouver's bandwagon few weeks before the first kickoff so I'm not exactly in fair position to judge them, but I assume that most of the players were in D2 for a reason.
Not necessarily because of talent level. Whitecaps paid their players well, some probably were making more in D2 than they would be if they were in MLS.
I am pulling for the Caps in every game unless it affects the Rapids. I would be cautious about KC. The 4-3-3 they are running puts alot of people forward and they have more talent than Toronto's 4-3-3. If I had to guess, I would say 2-1 KC. Being a "true expansion" or not, playing so many players because of need never boads well.
sorry guys i can't join in the conversation like last week. very busy with the work. good luck to whitecaps. i hope 3-3 or at least cut the goal difference.
congrats on an AMAZING comeback, I just re-watched that last 5 minutes. High energy and great crowd support.
One of the best come backs I have ever seen. Amazing! You guys need more fans on here! The MF guy that had the 2nd assist is a beast. Where did you find him?
deserved draw at the very least. The chances Harris and co spurned in the first half were absolutly sinful.
I should have gotten the MLS online streaming package, I missed a great match. The 2 goals by Camilo were awesome
Nizar Khalfan, he was found in Tanzania when the Whitecaps staff went on a scouting trip down there. Great placing of the ball by him tonight. And Camilo... just wow. Gotta admit I was nervous with the Whitecaps injuries and Hassli's suspension, but a 3 goal comeback! YES! Too bad I was at work watching the PGA Tour. Wish all the Caps games were nationally televised this year. Sportings keeper, Nielsen, great game by him.