<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
While he did not score against Colorado, <b>Eric Hassli</b> played a solid game as the Whitecaps target striker and held up the ball well. He showed effort to win some balls and played the role of playmaker as he tried to find his others on runs into the box. While it seems unlikely that Hassli sees another start in the same week, Rennie likes to have a bigger striker up top, and if he goes with Hassli again, he will be key.
If he doesn't then <b>Camilo Sanvezzo</b> will get his chance against Chivas USA and will be key. The big question would then be whether Rennie will have the Brazilian start centrally or cutting in on defenders from the left side.
With Robin Fraser coming over from RSL, Chivas normally plays a diamond midfield where the tip has been occupied lately by <b>Alejandro Moreno</b>. The Venezuelan international is being asked to play the Javier Morales role but has struggled with his playmaking ability which in past seasons has been his strength as an attacking player.
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DEFENCE
In the match against the Rapids <b>Alain Rochat</b> was asked to play as a holding midfielder and played impressively, keeping Martin Rivero relatively quiet. He may not return to his left back spot, even with Davidson available after suspension, and may continue in that DM role. If he does return to the left side expect Rochat to play his strong two way style down the left side of the pitch.
After arriving from Philadelphia <b>Danny Califf</b> has started every game for Chivas USA and has made a difference in the overall defense. If you take out the 3-0 meltdown loss to RSL, the Goats have only given up three goals in five games since Califf was acquired. A physical central defender, he is great in the air in either box and is not afraid to get a little dirty against opposing strikers. Just ask Hassli.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
At the midpoint of the season <b>Joe Cannon</b> is arguably the team’s MVP and top goalkeeper in MLS, as he leads the League with seven cleansheets. The veteran keeper is great at being in the right place at the right time but is also capable of making the spectacular save. More importantly, Cannon always makes the saves at key points of the game, which allows the Whitecaps to keep their momentum going.
Since arriving from New York <b>Juan Agudelo</b> has two goals and three assists in eight matches across all competitions, but the work may have done damage to his knee as he has experienced swelling this week. With a match coming up midweek for Chivas, the coaches may be cautious and decide to rest the young U.S. international striker.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
8W-5D-4L
3rd in Western Conference
Last Match: 1-0 Win at Colorado Rapids
Chivas:
5W-4D-7L
7th in Western Conference
Last Match: 0-0 Draw at FC Dallas
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
Out: GK Brian Sylvestre (knee), FW Atiba Harris (knee), FW Omar Salgado (foot), John Thorrington (quad), Matt Watson (ankle)
Suspended: FW Darren Mattocks
On Trial: FW Caleb Clarke
International Duty: MF Bryce Alderson
Chivas:
Out: MF Marvin Iraheta (knee)
Doubtful: FW Tristen Bowen (ankle), MF Miller Bolaños (hamstring), MF Oswaldo Minda (suspension)
Questionable: FW Juan Agudelo (knee)
<b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
The Whitecaps return to the Home Depot Center for the second time in three games and hope that this visit will be different than the last one, when they lost to the Galaxy 3-0. Overall this year it will be Vancouver’s third trip to Southern California, as they played and beat Chivas 1-0 in the second week of the season. That game marked the first road win for the organization in their MLS history and got one of the biggest monkeys off their backs early in the season.
With the second game in the week, there might be some shuffling of the lineup but Joe Cannon will remain in the net for the Caps. The backline will have DeMerit and Bonjour as the starting pair in front of goal while Lee will be on the right side. If Rennie likes what he saw in Colorado, then I could see Rochat staying in the midfield with Harvey on the left side.
If that were the case, then playing next to Rochat will be Koffie, but if Rochat goes back to left back then Davidson will return from suspension as the holding midfielder and Koffie will move into an attacking role.
On the left side will be Chiumiento with Sebastien Le Toux returning to the starting eleven for Darren Mattocks.
One question is will Barry Robson be likely to start twice in a week? Also, while it would seem Eric Hassli is unlikely to start twice in a week in hot conditions, Camilo may not be ready to start due to the knock he suffered early in training.
With it being the second match in four to be played over two weeks the Whitecaps will continue with their road tactics of playing behind the ball and look for a counter attack goal. With Chivas playing a possession type game, the Whitecaps will have to be patient and not try to chase after the ball. If the Caps can eliminate the top and bottom of the diamond formation it will help in eliminating the chances for Chivas, who are second from the bottom in shots on goal in MLS and last in goals.
With it being so hot, expect the Caps to try to steal a goal on counter attacks and on set pieces. Whether he starts or comes on as a sub, expect Camilo to make runs across the backline and try to find a soft spot to exploit.
This will be the official start to the second half of the season for the Whitecaps and a result would be a solid start for Rennie. A win or draw against Chivas and the Caps will hit the thirty point mark this season, which will be another landmark in their push for the playoffs.
<b>AFTN Editor's Prediction: Chivas USA 0 Vancouver Whitecaps 1</b>
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