<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
With Eric Hassli missing through injury, <b>Sebastien Le Toux</b> will have a chance to play closer to the goal in his return to Philadelphia. The former Union player can definitely expect to be closely marked, especially if Peter Nowak, Union coach, has anything to say about it.
One of the biggest reasons Le Toux was shipped off was to sign the younger <b>Roger Torres</b> to a long term and permanent deal. The Union supporters are expecting a lot from the Colombian in terms of being the driving force of the attack, which has managed two goals through three games this year.
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DEFENCE
Through three games the backline was unchanged, but with Rochat recovering from a knee injury, <b>Jordan Harvey</b> will be asked to start against his former team. Playing on the left side, Harvey will be asked to contain the attacking abilities of Freddy Adu, who is coming off a disappointing run at the Olympic Qualifying tournament.
Once Mondragon left in the offseason, and now Danny Califf is in Nowak’s doghouse, <b>Carlos Valdes</b> seems to have become the leader on the backline for the Union. Last season the Colombian was able to handle Hassli with a physical approach but may need to make some adjustments as he faces his former teammate.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
It is clear now that last season injuries played a part in his poor form, as this year, a healthy <b>Jay DeMerit</b> is meeting the expectations that were placed on him when he became the Caps' first MLS signing. "Captain America" is leading a revamped backline to three clean sheets in the first three games.
Even though the Union has only managed two goals so far this year, it is not due to second year player <b>Michael Farfan</b>, who has easily been their most dangerous player. A finalist for 'Rookie of the Year', Farfan is versatile enough to play anywhere in the midfield, or as a second forward. He is a possession type player who is excellent in tight spaces.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
2W-1D-0L
1st in Western Conference
Last Match: 0-0 Draw vs D.C. United
Philadelphia:
0W-0D-3L
9th in Eastern Conference
Last Match: 1-0 Loss at Chicago Fire
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
Out: FW Eric Hassli (ankle), FW Etienne Barbara (groin strain), MF Michael Nanchoff (heel contusion), FW Darren Mattocks (shoulder), DF Alain Rochat (knee), MF Russell Teibert (international duty), MF Bryce Alderson (international duty)
Questionable: GK Brian Sylvestre (knee)
Probable: FW Camilo Sanvezzo (quad)
Philadelphia:
Out: FW Krystian Witkowski (concussion)
Probable: DF Chris Albright (groin strain)
<b>GAME PREDICTION :</b>
For a team that is sitting atop the Western Conference and has yet to taste defeat, there are a lot of questions being asked from people in football circles. The biggest one is where are the goals, considering the talent the Whitecaps and Martin Rennie assembled at the forward positions in the offseason. There will be a different look up top this week as the Whitecaps travel east to play the Philadelphia Union, with Eric Hassli remaining in Vancouver with an ankle injury.
The backline will have a slightly different look in front of Joe Cannon. Jordan Harvey will replace the injured Alain Rochat on the left side and attempt to fit in with DeMerit, Bonjour and Lee, who have yet to allow a goal this season. There is a chance that Koffie may find a way back into the lineup replacing Watson as one of the holding midfielders alongside Jun Marques Davidson. Despite a minor injury Camilo will take up one of the wide spots with either Atiba Harris or John Thorrington (both returning from injury) taking the other side. Thorrington is expected to get the nod but will not be able to play the whole game. It looks as though Le Toux will take up the spot vacated by Hassli, while Davide Chiumiento will play more of a central role behind the Frenchman.
It will be interesting how Rennie uses Le Toux, as opposed to how Hassli was employed as the lone striker up top. During the match Camilo may swap spots with Le Toux in order to create more movement and keep the opposition guessing. There will be more flexibility for Rennie to apply different formations, especially if Thorrington is in the starting lineup. He could slide centrally to play a 4-3-3 or Rennie may have Chiumiento move wide, moving Camilo up top in a 4-4-2. There is little chance that the Whitecaps sit back for this road game, especially with a very inexperienced goalkeeper in Zac MacMath between the posts for Philadelphia.
The Whitecaps have gone 270 minutes without allowing a goal this season which has already surpassed last year’s high of 215 minutes near the end of the season. Against Philadelphia the Caps will have to pay special attention to the trio of Farfan, Torres and Adu, who will play behind the strikers and will create most of the scoring opportunities. Their striking pair of Mwanga and Pajoy have yet to establish any chemistry, so they will rely on their young midfielders.
The two teams exchanged 1-0 wins last year and a low scoring game should be expected once again in this matchup. The Whitecaps can expect Peter Nowak to play special attention to Le Toux, as it seems he would rather lose by three plus goals, keeping Le Toux off the scoresheet , than to lose by one and it being the fan favourite coming home to score the winner. The Whitecaps will benefit their cause by scoring the first one, which will undermine the confidence of a young goalkeeper and team. Another result on the road, no matter how achieved, would further the cause of Martin Rennie amongst the locker room.
<b>Predicted Score: Philadelphia Union 1 Vancouver Whitecaps 1</b>
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