The Whitecaps look to carry the momentum of picking up their first road result back home to Empire Field in order to gain their second victory of the season over the San Jose Earthquakes. Although they are playing this match at home the task of securing three points will not be easy for the Caps. It is a well-known fact that the Caps are in the midst of a very tough schedule that includes league matches as well as Canadian Championship matches. This next game versus San Jose will be their sixth in nineteen days which included trips back and forth across North America.
The opponent they face on Wednesday, the San Jose Earthquakes, have had difficulty scoring despite having the top goalscorer from last year in Chris Wondolowski. It will not get easier for the Quakes as the team has scored only six goals with Wondolowski scoring three and the the other two coming from the currently injured Simon Dawkins. If the the Caps can limit Wondolowski’s chances to the outside and close down on him when he gets the ball, the odds that the Whitecaps pull out a victory become that much greater.
After scoring so many goals to start the season the Caps have been limited to either a single or no goals in each of their last eight games. Because Teitur is highly unlikely to change formations or tactics, the Caps need a different look on the right side of the midfield and upfront where bringing in Salinas and Khalfan for Camilo and Chiumiento would add speed to those spots on the starting eleven. Coming on as a sub Salinas has shown a knack for running at defenders and his pace and technical skills are tough for the opposition to handle. When Khalfan came on in the second half he showed a little chemistry with Hassli and his speed should help wear down the defenders. Both Chiumiento and Camilo would be available to come on as subs when defenders would be a little tired.
The defense has had good days and bad as of the fourteen goals they allowed this season ten of them have come in four games while in the other five games the Caps have allowed only four. The fullbacks, Rochat at the left and Leathers on the right, have played every minute of the season for the Caps and may require a break sooner rather than later but in this game they will have to deal with a couple skilled wingers in Convey and Gjertsen. Both Akloul and his partner, either Janicki or Boxall, will have to deal with the dangerous Chris Wondolowski and if they can stop him, the Caps may pull out the victory and double their total in the win column.
(image courtesy of Bob Frid and Getty Images)
