<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
Returning from a one game suspension, <b>Barry Robson</b> will try to bring some energy and creativity that was missing from the Seattle game. With the Whitecaps missing Koffie from the line-up, Rennie may have the Scottish international play a deeper role against the Timbers but he will still have the freedom to attack the final third.
One of three Timbers to score more than one goal (Boyd-7, Jewsbury-2) <b>Darlington Nagbe</b> has scored five times this season, including one in each of his last two starts. However the club needs the sophomore to contribute as a playmaker as well, as he has yet to register an assist after 13 in his last year in Akron and 3 assists last season.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
DEFENCE
Having missed the last two games due to a concussion suffered against RSL, the Whitecaps will welcome back <b>Jay DeMerit</b> to lead them as their captain against Portland. In the first match between the teams, DeMerit did a near perfect job in marking Boyd but let him free for one moment which is what all it took for the Scot to find the net for the Timbers.
The addition of former Ranger <b>Steven Smith</b> has solidified the left side of the backline for Portland after inconsistent play last season. The Scot is a very solid left back that is strong at both ends of the pitch and is especially dangerous going forward. His attacking ability may be neutralized if he has to deal with the pace of Dane Richards for the full 90.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
He may not have been able to score against the Sounders but <b>Darren Mattocks</b> was arguably the most dangerous Whitecap on CenturyLink Field. The rookie scored his first ever MLS goal, which stole a point for Vancouver, against the Timbers when they faced each other earlier in the season. Mattocks will have to adjust his runs for his start in Portland due to the smaller pitch at Jeld-Wen Field.
It’s hard to imagine naming a winger with a goal and two assists as a hot player but when <b>Sal Zizzo</b> has picked up that line in his last two games it makes it an easy call. After coming on as a sub for most of the season, Zizzo has started the last two games and been causing problems for the opposition defenders.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
10W-7D-9L
5th in Western Conference
Last Match: 2-0 Loss at Seattle Sounders
Portland:
5W-6D-13L
9th in Western Conference
Last Match: 3-2 Loss at New York Red Bulls
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
Out: FW Omar Salgado (foot
Probable: DF Jay DeMerit (concussion symptoms)
Suspension: CM Gershon Koffie
Portland:
Out: DF Chris Taylor (hip), MF Diego Chara (suspension)
Probable: MF Kalif Alhassan (patellar)
<b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
After another loss to the Sounders, the Vancouver Whitecaps remain on the road and face their second Cascadia rival in as many weeks when they face the Portland Timbers. This will be the Caps second trip to Jeld-Wen Field this season, after a late goal by substitute Darren Mattocks allowed the club to escape with a point in May.
There will be some modifications to the starting eleven with a few players returning from injury and suspension and one having to sit out one game due to the MLS disciplinary committee. In goal Joe Cannon will have Jay DeMerit(injury) and Martin Bonjour(suspension) return to the centre of the backline while Alain Rochat and Lee Young-Pyo once again start as the full backs.
The midfield will be missing Gershon Koffie but welcomes back Barry Robson, who will start alongside Jun Marques Davidson as the two holding midfielders. Camilo, Kenny Miller and Dane Richards will play in front of them and will most likely interchange roles in the attack. Darren Mattocks will most likely be the striker up top but could also drop back or play out wide.
Because of the dimensions of the field, Vancouver will play a compact midfield and try to force the Timbers attack out wide, where they will need to close down on the wingers. Tracking Boyd will be a major key for the Caps, as he proved in their last game when he was able to capitalize after being shut down for most of the game.
One of the keys for the Caps will be how quickly Robson can transition from defending to attacking, especially if he is asked to play a deep role. The attackers for Vancouver will need to test Donovan Ricketts regularly, as the newly acquired keeper is known to make mistakes handling the ball.
The backline of Portland is not particularly fast so they can be exposed by the pace of both Mattocks and Richards. Expect some long balls to be sent in to the Jamaican attackers and even if they prove to be unsuccessful, the attempts will soften up the opposition and keep them on their back foot.
While this match is not a must win for the run to the MLS playoffs, the Whitecaps do need a result if they wish to remain in the running for the Cascadia Cup. A win would vault the Caps into the top spot with both of their remaining games to be played at BC Place. It would also be the first victory for the organization against a Cascadian rival since joining MLS last season.
The Whitecaps are sitting on a two game losing streak and have yet lose three games in a row this season. They are playing the worst team in the Conference but the Timbers are a rival so they can’t be taken lightly. Also without three points the perception that this team is in trouble will continue among fans and pundits which could start to seep into the locker room.
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