The Whitecaps look to follow up their opening week win while ending their futility on the road this week as they play Chivas USA in Southern California. It will be their first road win in their MLS history as they were unable to accomplish the feat in their expansion season. In fact, they were only able to earn five points away from home as they outscored 31-11 in the seventeen matches.
It looks as though this year will be different as Martin Rennie preaches a sound defensive system which will be a benefit for the road games. The match against Montreal was an example of the Caps’ defenders keeping the opposition wide and limiting their attempts from inside the box. There were still a few breakdowns proving the process is still a work in progress and is far from perfection.
The Whitecaps will most likely start a similar lineup against Chivas with Joe Cannon starting behind a backline of DeMerit, Rochat, Lee and Bonjour. Up front Eric Hassli starts and will have Sebestian Le Toux playing in behind him with Camilo and Davide Chiumiento playing the wing spots. Last week’s Man of the Match Jun Marques Davidson will return to one of the holding midfielder spots while the other spot may go to Gershon Koffie again or to Matt Watson depending on what Rennie will look for tactically.
The key to this game will be Vancouver’s ability to disrupt the possession game of Chivas, similar to how RSL plays, while pushing forward on the attack with their fullbacks, Rochat and Lee. Similar to last week when Le Toux, Davidson and Koffie clogged up the middle when Montreal attacked through the middle and their wide players pushed the Impact players towards the sidelines when the Caps defended wide. The only shot that posed any danger for the Caps were the ones that Montreal attempted from distance.
Offensively the Whitecaps took full advantage of the opportunities that Montreal gave to them as both scores were nominated for goals of the week. All the forwards (Hassli, Le Toux, Camilo and Chiumiento) were impressive in the opener and in fact all played a huge part in the buildup to the second goal. A new wrinkle this year is for the wingers to slide along the backline and then break forward to receive an outlet pass. Camilo came close to getting a couple of opportunities but was barely called offside by the linesman.
The Caps have the ability to take advantage of the backline but will have to be patient because of the goalkeeping of Dan Kennedy. The second year starter stopped eight shots last week, the majority in spectacular fashion, but was unable to stop the winner in injury time.
An early goal for the visitors could lead to comfortable win similar to last week against Montreal as Chivas lacks the firepower to keep up with the Whitecaps. There seems to be little evidence to suggest that Vancouver will be unable to pick up their second win of the season, which last year came in June, as well as their first win on the road in their short MLS history.
ON FORM
While he didn’t score a goal, Eric Hassli played a big part in the two goals scored against the Impact last week. His flicked on header sent Le Toux through on goal for the first and then Hassli came back deep to win the ball while also providing a great dummy on the second goal. The Frenchman has been reenergized by the new coaching staff and new additions which can be seen with his fantastic play on and off the ball.
If it wasn’t for Dan Kennedy, the Goats would have been blown out by the Houston Dynamo in their home opener. The goalkeeper almost single handedly earned the team a point as he stopped eight of nine shots, five of the saves from inside the six yard box, giving up the only goal in injury time. A similar performance against the Caps could become frustrating for the visiting attackers so preaching patience will key for Rennie and the staff.
PROJECTED LINEUP
(image courtesy of whitecapsfc.com)
