<b>KEY PLAYERS</b>
ATTACKING
It is not a given that Martin Rennie will hand <b>Camilo</b> his first start of the season but after his performances coming off the bench there is no doubt that he deserves it. If he starts, the Brazilian will play wide on the left side where he will have added responsibilities in defending the opposing wingback.
At the beginning of the season it looked as though <b>Juan Agudelo</b> was on the outs with Chivas especially with the turnover that was occurring in the offseason. After starting on the bench in the opener, the striker has two goals (a goal away from his 2012 total) and an assist in the three starts since.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
DEFENCE
With the battle of the midfield being so vital against the Goats, it will be up to <b>Nigel Reo-Coker</b> to lead the charge by maintaining possession more effectively. He will have to do more with Davidson to protect the backline from the opposing midfield who love to bring numbers forward.
While <b>Dan Kennedy</b> has allowed six goals, three coming in the opener, the majority of them would have been difficult to stop for any keeper. He has kept the club in games early with his spectacular saves and will be difficult to beat for the Whitecaps.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM</b>
After a couple of average performances <b>Darren Mattocks</b> finally opened his 2013 account with a strike from distance. He made better runs into the box and showed confidence in his ability after taking the shot even if it was stopped.
Normally playing a quiet game as the deep lying playmaker <b>Edgar Mejia</b> contributed offensively with a goal and an assist against Chicago. “El Chore” is a loanee from Chivas Guadalajara and is the key for the Goats in building up the attack from the back.
<b>PROJECTED LINEUP</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps (4-3-3)
R to L - Joe Cannon; Y.P. Lee, Andy O’Brien, Brad Rusin, Alain Rochat; Jun Marques Davidson, Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie; Daigo Kobayashi, Darren Mattocks, Camilo
Chivas USA (3-5-2)
R to L -Dan Kennedy; Mario de Luna, Joaquin Velaquez, Bobby Burling; Eric Avila, Edgar Mejia, Oswaldo Minda, Marvin Iraheta, Josue Soto; Juan Agudelo, Tristan Bowen
<b>INJURED/MISSING</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps - Out: FW Omar Salgado (foot), DF Jay DeMerit (Achilles), MF Bryce Alderson (knee)
Chivas USA - Out: DF Walter Vilchez (knee)
<b>2013 RECORD</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps:
2W-0D-1L-6P
5th in Western Conference
Last Match: 2-1 Loss at Houston Dynamo
Chivas USA:
2W-1D-1L-7P
2nd in Western Conference
Last Match: 4-1 Win at Chicago Fire
<b>OVERVIEW</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps will attempt to bounce back, after suffering their first loss of the season, against the surprising Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center. In addition to this being the second straight match on the road it will also be one where they will face a unique formation in the 3-5-2.
Attempting to breakdown this team the Whitecaps will keep Darren Mattocks and Daigo Kobayashi in the frontline. The third spot will either go to rookie Erik Hurtado or Camilo, with Kenny Miller most likely coming the bench after being away on international duty with Scotland.
The midfield was disappointing last week but don’t much in change with Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie and Jun Marques Davidson manning those spots.
The two goals allowed last week reflected poorly on the backline but like the midfield, expect little movement, with Andy O’Brien and Brad Rusin partnering while Lee Young-Pyo and Alain Rochat will be the fullbacks. There have been questions about the keeper position, and whilst it is looking like Brad Knighton is getting closer to taking over from Joe Cannon, it hasn't reached that stage just yet.
Whatever the line-up turns out to be it will be facing a formation that it's not often seen in MLS or other leagues around the world. So how do the Whitecaps take on the 3-5-2 formation and come out with a result?
The obvious answer is to win the battle in the midfield by keeping possession and not giving the ball away too easily. A giveaway in the midfield will see Chivas quickly counterattack with numbers which could overwhelm the backline. If the wingbacks are caught up the pitch then the Whitecaps will need to use their width to stretch the three man back line. An advantage the Caps can exploit while on the attack is the lack of size for the Chivas defenders with Burling being the only one over 6 feet.
Martin Rennie has some experience playing against the formation and shared his thoughts earlier this week in the media scrum.
<i>"Over the years I have, a few times, played against teams with three at the back and it's always interesting how you want to adapt and how you want to go about it. They've certainly caused teams problems up until now, so we have to come up with a game plan we think will work and then of course we have to execute it."</i>
Vancouver will need to take advantage of their early chances as it seems, through at least three of the four matches, that Chivas get stronger as the game goes on. Eight of their nine goals have been scored after the 60th minute while the other one coming at the 57 mark. There also have to be concerns with the perceived dirty play by Chivas for a couple of reasons. There is a danger of a freak injury as well as players retaliating and getting caught for it which could lead to cards and ejections.
Prior to the season it was expected that the match against Chivas USA would be the easiest to get the win. While it may not be the walk that everyone expected the Caps need to get a result in order to relieve some of the pressure early in the season and stay ahead of their faltering Western Conference playoff rivals.
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