The Whitecaps return home after five games on the road with a difficult task in front of them as they face the defending champs LA Galaxy. It was five games ago when the Caps were completely dismantled in the first half for three goals in what the Galaxy said was their best 45 of the season. Vancouver was in fact lucky that they didn’t allow more goals as there were a number of chances that missed the target by the slimmest of margins.
While there have been some significant changes since the Whitecaps last played at BC Place, the backend remains the same as Joe Cannon will start in goal once again. The backline will have Jay DeMerit and Martin Bonjour in the middle with Lee Young-Pyo on the right. There was a chance that Alain Rochat would return to the left side but with him being suspended Jordan Harvey will start for the fifth straight game.
The midfield will see Jun Marques Davidson partner with Gershon Koffie as the holding midfielders with Barry Robson playing in front of them. Up front Darren Mattocks will look to test the backline with his pace and will be flanked by new acquisition Dane Richards on the right and Camilo on the left.
In three meetings against LA the Whitecaps have failed to pick up a point and been outscored by a margin of 10-0. It looked as though the Caps may have bridged the gap when it came to talent from the first to second year but their first meeting showed there was still work to do.
In order to slow down LA, the Caps must keep moving when defending and not get flat footed watching the designated players work their magic. While it won’t be easy the best way to handle their opponents will for the Caps to hold onto the ball as much as possible. If they can keep the ball away from the stars the better chance they have to keep the Galaxy off the board.
It will be interesting to see how much of a factor Richards will be in his first start as a Cap and the Jamaican could make an impact immediately. His pace down the wing will put pressure on the left side of the backline forcing help to come from other parts of the pitch. When that happens it will give the other attackers like Robson and Mattocks more space around the box to make plays.
The match will also be the home debut of Barry Robson who has yet to play a match in BC Place for the Whitecaps. He has played better with every start and is coming closer and closer to hitting to the target for his first goal. It will be his job as well to find the right pass in the final third in order to get his teammates a better chance to score.
With so many people coming to this game to watch Beckham, the Whitecaps have a chance to display their improved quality from last season in order to attract more people into attending more matches in the future. A poor performance by the team and these people won’t show up again until the next star shows up.
WHO’S ON FORM
Since Jordan Harvey has come to start at left back, with Rochat moving to the midfield, he has his best stretch of performances as a Whitecap. If the Galaxy decide to start Juninho and Sarvas in the middle then Harvey will most likely have to match up against Beckham. It will be vital for the defender to not give up any room that would allow the midfielder to send a cross into the box.
Since returning from Euro 2012 Robbie Keane has been a force in the attack for the Galaxy picking up five goals and two assists in the five starts. The Irish international struggled at the beginning of the season but seems to be turning it around as LA is looking to continue their rise into the playoffs.
(image courtesy of Bob Frid)
