When the 2011 MLS schedule came out the mainstream fans in the Vancouver soccer community circled the dates of when the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls were coming into town, in addition to the matches with TFC, Portland and Seattle, so they can see major stars like Beckham, Donovan and Henry. However, the match coming up this weekend has last season’s MVP as the Whitecaps host David Ferreira and the defending Western Conference Champions FC Dallas. After playing six matches, FC Dallas will also be the first team Vancouver will face that qualified for the MLS playoffs last year. The Whitecaps will play their fifth home fixture of the season and hope to remain undefeated at Empire as they currently have one win and three draws.
The game should see the partnership of designated player Eric Hassli and Brazilian striker Camilo start their second straight game together. Last week against Chivas the pair saw some flashes of brilliance but they did struggle at times reading each other which will come with time. The Caps will need to find some goals as they are currently on about a 143 minute scoring drought through two games. While Hassli did not pick up a red card last week there was a yellow which gives the Frenchman four, so the next caution he gets will result in another game suspension. Former FC Dallas player Atiba Harris, if healthy, and Omar Salgado will be options for Teitur Thoradson off the bench.
There may be some good news for the central midfield as Canadian international Terry Dunfield feels he will be ready to go on Saturday and if he does he should be partnered with either Kevin Harmse or Jeb Brovsky. The MLS leader in assists Davide Chiumiento will start at one of the wing positions while opposite him either Nizar Khalfan, Wes Knight or homegrown product Russell Teibert will be in the starting eleven. Another midfielder who could be over his injury and see himself in the eighteen on game day for the first time is MLS veteran Shea Salinas.
The biggest question for the backline is whether Mouloud Akloul will make his first start after he proved his fitness by playing 90 minutes last week in a reserve match. If Akloul starts it will allow Alain Rochat to move back to his natural left back spot and became a weapon for Teitur in his attack plans. Along with Rochat, Jonathan Leathers has played every minute this season and will see his seventh consecutive start. Rookie Michael Boxall, who only missed one game due to international duty, will see another start at center half as Jay DeMerit is unlikely over his groin injury. After earning his first cleansheet Jay Nolly will start his sixth match of the season ahead of MLS vet Joe Cannon.
Although FC Dallas has just five out of a possible fifteen points to start the season, the Caps must remain aware that they are facing a MLS Cup finalist. Last year FC Dallas did not pick up its first win until the sixth game of the season so slow starts are nothing new. Every player on the Caps must be aware of where Ferreira is on the pitch as he consistently floats around and could pop up anywhere. The Whitecaps also need to take advantage of FC Dallas having to travel back home after their match in Portland on Sunday only to return back to the Pacific Northwest. The two games held within six days may prove tough on the visitor’s legs as both games will be held on turf.
The Whitecaps will need to take advantage of their width especially if Rochat returns to left back and can make his over lapping runs and find the target men in the box. If Dunfield is able to return to action he should be able to help link up with the wingers as well as slowing down the runs of Ferreira down the pitch. They have turned around their defensive game at home as after giving up five goals in their first two at Empire, the Caps have only allowed only one in their last two including last week’s cleansheet.
It is important for Vancouver to collect these three points as they will run into a stretch where they will find themselves playing twice each week. This will include a two leg semi-final to advance to the Canadian Championship for a birth in next year’s CCL. If they advance to the finals, which is a major focus for the Whitecaps, this game against Dallas will be last time the Whitecaps will have a week off to prepare for a MLS opponent until their June 11th game in Seattle.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
