On Sunday the Vancouver Whitecaps will be yet another team facing off against the best team in the league, San Jose Earthquakes. The Whitecaps currently sit at fourth position in the Western Conference standings. This will be the third and final game between the two sides. The first game in April saw the Earthquakes win 3-1 with a brace from Chris Wondolowski and a header by Alan Gordon. Their second match in May played to a 2-1 win by the Whitecaps in their home stadium, despite a goal from Wondolowski.
The Earthquakes last game this past Wednesday saw them hold out for a 2-1 win against worst in the west, FC Dallas. That game included the drama of a first scored, then retaken for encroachment and missed, penalty by Chris Wondolowski; as well as a missed penalty in the 94th minute of the match for Dallas by Jair Benitez. FC Dallas (4-7-9) showed just how tough the league can be despite where a team sits in the conference standings while the Earthquakes continued to show MLS their unwavering confidence.
Moving onto the Whitecaps (8-6-7), we see a team eager for a big win. In their last match this past Wednesday the Whitecaps gave up a 2-0 lead against LA Galaxy in the last ten minutes of the game. Though not a loss, the team seemed disappointed with the draw. The Whitecaps are winless in their past four games and have only scored 23 goals this season. Following their match against San Jose, Vancouver will play second in the league, Real Salt Lake.
Chris Wondolowski will be considered the Whitecaps worst fear with a career high of 11 goals against them, including three this season from their past two matches. Wondolowski has scored 17 goals this season and is on track to break Roy Lassiter’s MLS record of 27 goals in one season.
Another key factor in this game is whether or not Scotland national team captain Kenny Miller makes his Vancouver debut. Miller was officially added as a Designated Player on Monday but missed the Whitecaps’ matchup against the Galaxy. The Whitecaps have also let go of Eric Hassli, trading him to Toronto FC for a 2014 first-round pick and an international spot through next season.
The Earthquakes have put together an impressive away record this year, winning six and tying two in 11 road matches. BC Place, where Vancouver is 5-1-4 this season, will provide a tough atmosphere, but there may not be a more confident team in MLS than the Earthquakes.
(image courtesy of Anne-Marie Sorvin/US Presswire)
