<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
Against a high powered Galaxy,the Whitecaps will need goals and where else will they turn to but <b>Darren Mattocks</b>? He leads the team in goals in his rookie season despite missing a significant time with injuries and suspensions. The Caps will need his pace to stretch the Galaxy backline, giving more space to the midfield while they move forward in the attack.
The leader of the Galaxy, <b>Landon Donovan</b>, has struggled through injuries in the late stages of the season and it has shown up in the stats as he has not scored a goal in over three months. This could be the swan song for the captain with the Galaxy, with a European move rumoured, so he will be looking to make a significant run in the playoffs .
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
DEFENCE
There is no doubt that <b>Andy O’Brien</b> has made a significant difference, especially in the last four games of the season, as the Caps have only allowed one goal in those matches. The defender has shown composure on the ball while continually organizing the backline with his nonstop chatter.
It is no coincidence that the team’s defensive game improved since <b>Omar Gonzalez</b>, one of the better defenders in MLS, returned from his knee injury suffered while on loan in Germany. In his 12 starts this year, where he played 90 minutes, LA allowed 12 goals while in the other 22 games the team allowed 32 goals against.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
Since taking over the keeping duties from Joe Cannon seven games ago, <b>Brad Knighton</b> has become the number one choice for the Whitecaps. In those starts the Whitecaps have allowed a total of six goals, including only one in the last four leading up to the playoffs. The majority of the goals he has allowed in that stretch have been of the spectacular variety, including a number nominated for goal of the week.
In any other season, <b>Robbie Keane</b> would be in the running for the MLS golden boot as the majority of his 16 goals came after his return from Euro 2012. In those 19 games since his return there were only 4 matches when the striker did not contribute with a goal or an assist.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
11W-10D-13L
5th in Western Conference
Last Match: 0-0 Draw at Real Salt Lake
Los Angeles:
16W-6D-12L
4th in Western Conference
Last Match: 1-0 Win vs Seattle Sounders
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
None
Los Angeles:
Out: DF A.J. DeLaGarza (knee), DF Leonardo (knee), DF David Junior Lopes (facial fracture), MF Kyle Nakazawa (back)
Questionable: MF David Beckham (ankle), MF Landon Donovan (knee)
<b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
Almost eight months ago when their second season in MLS started, the Vancouver Whitecaps set a goal of going from the worst team in the league to the playoffs in the next year. While they may have backed into the post season, they accomplished their goal and they face the defending champion LA Galaxy in a one game showdown in the Home Depot Center tonight.
The lineup may be similar to the one that was fielded against RSL in the regular season finale, with Brad Knighton keeping his spot between the posts. In front of him will be a backline that consists of Andy O’Brien partnering with Jay DeMerit in the central defence, while this year’s MVP Lee Young-Pyo will be on the right and Jordan Harvey will be on the left.
The midfield should be a diamond once again with Alain Rochat playing the holding role, Gershon Koffie on the left and John Thorrington on the right, while Barry Robson returns to the starting eleven to play the tip. To help with counter attack opportunities, the Caps will have Darren Mattocks and Dane Richards combine and use their pace up top.
In the three previous matchups this season against LA, the Whitecaps have played three different types of games with the first one being the most lopsided and the game was over at half time. At home in the second game the Whitecaps dominated their opponents but fell asleep late in the game, dropping two points. In their last meeting, the Caps tried to play a tight defensive game but were beaten by a couple of unstoppable goals.
While a repeat of the second game, except for the late collapse, would be ideal for the Caps, the blueprint of the third game may be their best bet for a win. A tight defensive game that frustrates the Galaxy gives the Caps the best chance to win the tie, especially if they can catch them on a surprise counter attack.
If they do get the opportunity in the final third, the attackers must be more direct to goal and be clinical in their finish. There may be attention to the defensive side of the game but the midfielders will need to take calculated risks and make appropriate runs into the box to give support to the strikers. Increasing the number of crosses into the box would be helpful, especially with the leaping ability of Mattocks.
It will be a tough task for the Whitecaps to keep all that skill at bay but they will need to keep their shape and frustrate the Galaxy in their buildup through the midfield. The Caps have been guilty on a number of occasions of giving too much space to their opponents, which has led to a few goals from outside of the box. With the talent LA possesses there is no chance the Caps will survive if they allow the likes of Beckham and Juninho time to pick the destination of their shot.
With it being only their second year in MLS the Whitecaps have already transformed the culture of the squad. The players need to go into this game composed and relaxed, with a hint of a nothing to lose mentality, which could give them a chance to pull off a shocker.
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