After picking up their fourth win of the season, the Vancouver Whitecaps travel east to face one of the crown jewels of MLS, the New York Red Bulls. Their last matchup ended in a 2-2 draw at Empire and was the last game coached by Teitur Thordarson before he was sacked. It will also be the first match where the Caps will have to face Thierry Henry as the French striker was unable to make the trip to Vancouver due to injury.
At the beginning of the season when the schedule came out it looked as though that the pair of road games back to back against New York and LA were certain losses. However, recently it seems like the chances of getting a result against the Red Bulls have slightly improved. The team picked to run away with the Eastern Conference has now slipped to fifth with a run of three losses and three draws in their last six games.
The Whitecaps are relatively healthy and should start a similar lineup to the one that defeated the Houston Dynamo. In front of Joe Cannon, the Caps will have Rochat and DeMerit team up for the second straight match with Leathers and Harvey as the full backs. The midfield will see the return of Camilo, back from a suspension, and Salinas to the wing to go along with the central pairing of Koffie and Vagenas. The club’s two designated players, Hassli and Jarju, will try once again to find some chemistry up front.
The combination of the Red Bulls stuggling and the last two road games in LA and Dallas makes this the club’s last chance to secure a win away from Vancouver. In each of their games after a win, the Whitecaps have travelled to face an Eastern team only to come away with a loss, outscored 7-1.
In addition to Henry, the Red Bulls main strength comes from their wings with Dane Richards using his speed and Joel Lindpere using his playmaking. When on the attack the Caps will have an easier chance attacking New York’s backline from out wide as there are injury concerns for the Red Bulls. Their service for Hassli and Jarju must also improve as well as the chemistry between the two designated players.
Both clubs are coming off extended breaks with both having a scheduled bye last week but the Red Bulls haven’t played in three weeks due to a game postponed because of weather. Because of this, the team that shake off the rust quicker will have the early advantage in the game to score first. Despite New York’s struggles the Whitecaps will have to play a full 90 minute game, like last week, something they have yet to do on the road this season.
WHO’S ON FORM
The top performer in the midfield for the Whitecaps this year has been the youngster Gershon Koffie who despite his age has become a leader on the pitch. There have been times when his play has struggled but he is never the lowest rated player on the Caps.
Bringing speed on the wing, Dane Richards has already matched his career high for goals in a season and surpassed his assist total. The Jamaican international has been involved in the last four goals for the Red Bulls over the last two games, scoring two and assisting on two.
INJURIES
Vancouver Whitecaps
OUT: FW Atiba Harris (knee), GK Brian Sylvestre (knee), MF Russell Teibert (toe)
New York Red Bulls
OUT: MF Carl Robinson (knee), GK Frank Rost (quad), DF Roy Miller (adductor), MF Sacir Holt (knee), FW Corey Hertzog (illness)
QUESTIONABLE: FW Luke Rodgers (foot), MF Brian Nielsen (knee)
(image courtesy of Bob Frid)
