<b>KEY PLAYERS</b>
<b>Attacking</b>
So far this season <b>Daigo Kobayashi</b> has been the most productive player for the Whitecaps in the final third, setting up the winner in the first game and then following it up by capturing the MLS 'goal of the week' against Columbus. While Kobayashi has been lining up wide, he has been at his most dangerous when he is in possession the ball in the middle.
With Will Bruin out with an injury, it looks as though offseason addition <b>Omar Cummings</b> is ready to go after playing 61 minutes in a reserve game last weekend. The former Rapid has been dealing with ankle issues the past two seasons after scoring 14 goals in 2010.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
<b>Defence</b>
Similar to the start of last season <b>Jun Marques Davidson</b> is being recognized as a key player for the Whitecaps. He did an excellent job against the Crew by keeping Higuain clogged in the middle and forcing to wide areas. Davidson’s presence on the pitch also gives the freedom for both Lee and Rochat to move forward in the attack.
Since last season the Dynamo have lost Cameron and Hainault from their backline and now Taylor will be away for Jamaica, so <b>Adam Moffat</b> will need to protect the defence. The Scot, who once played for Rennie in the lower leagues, will need to track Kobayashi when the playmaker moves to the middle of the park.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM</b>
Once again this season the ageless one <b>Y.P. Lee</b> is having another great start to the season and assisted on the winner in the opener as well as creating a number of chances against the Crew. The Korean defender has completed just under 87% of his passes in the first two games and has provided 12 crosses into the box.
After a two year stint in Europe playing in Germany and Norway <b>Ricardo Clark</b> returned last season during the summer transfer window. Known mostly for his tackling and long range shooting the American international is being counted on to produce more in the attack, especially this week with so many missing from the lineup.
<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
Houston Dynamo (4-4-2) R to L-Tally Hall; Kofi Sarkodi, Bobby Boswell, Eric Brunner, Corey Ashe; Adam Moffatt, Luiz Camargo, Giles Barnes, Ricardo Clark; Omar Cummings, Brian Ching
<b>INJURED/MISSING</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps - Out: FW Omar Salgado (foot), DF Jay DeMerit (Achilles)
Houston Dynamo - Out: FW Calen Carr (knee); Questionable: FW Will Bruin (hamstring)
<b>2013 RECORD</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps: 2W - 0D - 0L - 6pts
1st in Western Conference
Last Match: 2-1 Win vs Columbus Crew
Houston Dynamo: 1W - 0D - 1L - 3P
6th in Eastern Conference
Last Match: 3-2 Loss at FC Dallas
<b>OVERVIEW</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps return to action after a week off as they go on the road for the first time this season. It will be a daunting task as they go up against the defending Eastern Conference champions Houston Dynamo and their impressive home unbeaten streak. It should be an easier mission than normal because the Dynamo will be missing three significant starters due to international duty and one to injury.
The Caps have the advantage over Houston since coming into MLS with two wins at home and one road loss. In the preseason the two clubs split their preseason matches with each team earning a 2-1 result.
Expect very little change from the lineup that faced the Crew two weeks ago, with Joe Cannon seeing his third start in a row. The backline remains the same with Andy O’Brien and Brad Rusin partnering in the middle while Y.P. Lee and Alain Rochat both defend and attack from the full back spots.
After a month of training and two games Nigel Reo-Coker should be more of an impact player in the midfield, with Gershon Koffie as the other box to box man and Jun Marques Davidson playing in the holding role. With Kenny Miller away on international duty, Camilo should find his way into the starting eleven for the first time this season, lining up with Darren Mattocks and Daigo Kobayashi up top.
The Dynamo are coming off two straight losses with one in the CONCACAF Champions League and one in MLS against state rivals FC Dallas. Another problem they are dealing with is the loss of four regular starters, with midfielders Brad Davis, Boniek Garcia and defender Jermaine Taylor off on international duty. In additional to those missing players the Dynamo will be missing striker Will Bruin who suffered a hamstring injury.
The big question will be how Rennie decides to play against the Dynamo in their first road game of the season. Last year the manager had his side play a very compact and disciplined formation defensively while hoping to get lucky and snag a goal on the attack.
Another contributing factor in the club’s approach to the game will be the weather. After training in cool Vancouver temperatures the players will need to adjust to hotter conditions with a chance of thunder showers.
This season the roster is stronger and has more attack options, giving Rennie more choices in the tactics he decides to employ. The coach may keep his tactics more fluid and wait to see how the Dynamo decides to play with so many missing players.
Even with these losses the Dynamo will be a difficult team to beat at home and the Whitecaps will need to play a strong defensive game to escape with a result. A strong start to this three game road trip will keep their confidence high as well as continue the early season momentum.
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