<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
The Whitecaps are lacking a link between the defenders and attack and hope <b>John Thorrington</b> can fill that role. Thorrington had a decent season debut last week against the Union, but will look to attack more regularly after getting another week of training under him.
After scoring 30 plus goals over the last two seasons, <b>Chris Wondolowski</b> is off to another hot start, scoring four goals in four games. The all-star striker likes to roam around, so the Caps will have to track Wondolowski, as he is capable of scoring from almost anywhere in the final third.
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DEFENCE
Having yet to allow a goal this season, <b>Joe Cannon</b> will have to assist his backline in locating Wondolowski in the final third. Communication, as usual, will be the key, but the veteran goalkeeper has displayed his prowess at being a shot stopper.
The goalkeeper who replaced Cannon in San Jose, <b>Jon Busch</b>, has only allowed one goal this season, which was on a penalty. Whilst not the tallest of keepers, Busch is excellent in his positioning and has above average reflexes, which allows him to make acrobatic saves.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
When <b>Y-P Lee</b> was signed in the offseason there were questions as to how effective he would be at his age in the MLS. After four starts there is no doubt that the Caps have one of the better right backs in the league and he has been able shut down the attacks from out wide and pose an attacking threat.
After an inconsistent season with the Caps last year, <b>Shea Salinas</b> is starting to become a threat for the Earthquakes through the first four games. Salinas will be looking to prove to Rennie that he made a mistake in trading him, but will have a difficult time as he is matched up against Lee. Could be an interesting battle.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
2W-2D-0L
4th in Western Conference
Last Match: 0-0 Draw at Philadelphia Union
San Jose:
3W-0D-1L
2nd in Western Conference
Last Match: 1-0 Win at Seattle Sounders
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
Out: FW Etienne Barbara (groin strain), FW Darren Mattocks (shoulder), DF Alain Rochat (knee)
Doubtful: MF Floyd Franks (back)
Questionable: MF Michael Nanchoff (heel contusion), GK Brian Sylvestre (knee)
Probable: FW Camilo Sanvezzo (quad)
Suspended: FW Atiba Harris
San Jose:
Out: FW Steven Lenhart (hamstring strain), MF Joey Gjertsen (knee), DF Tim Ward (soft tissue)
Doubtful: MF Sercan Guvenisik (hip flexor)
Questionable: Ramiro Corrales (ankle sprain)
<b>GAME PREDICTION :</b>
The Whitecaps look to continue their strong start to the season when they visit San Jose Earthquakes, in what will be their second straight road game. In addition to looking to keep their unbeaten record intact, the Caps are looking to extend their shutout streak, which currently stands at 360 minutes and is 62 minutes shy of breaking the MLS record for a start to a season. The Earthquakes have also impressed defensively, only allowing one goal so far this season and that was scored on a penalty.
Joe Cannon returns to his old stomping ground in San Jose, where he was a fan favourite, and will play in front of a backline of Lee, DeMerit, Bonjour, and Harvey, who once again starts for the injured Alain Rochat. Providing coverage for the defenders will be holding midfielders Davidson and Watson, while Thorrington will look to provide more punch in the attack. After a game off, due to a knock, Eric Hassli returns to the starting eleven as the target striker with Chiumiento and Le Toux playing out wide.
The Whitecaps are looking for better connections between the defenders and the attackers and it looks as though Rennie will turn to Thorrington who will play more of a central role in this game. Even if the service improves, the Caps need to get Hassli and Le Toux on the same page soon, as both players have been unable to connect near the box. There may be more 4-4-2 play, which will have Le Toux move up and Watson playing wide on the right side. Having trained lightly this week, Camilo may not be risked from the start, but will be utilised off the bench if this is the case.
If the Whitecaps want to extend their clean sheet streak, they will need to keep track of Chris Wondolowski who, after coming off 18 and 16 goal seasons, has already hit four in four games. Normally clearing the space for the all-star is Steve Lenhart, but a late injury to the burly striker is likely to see Alan Gordon find his way into the starting eleven. Another player who is looking dangerous for the Earthquakes is former Whitecap Shea Salinas, who has a goal and an assist in four starts.
While the Caps have impressed with their defensive play, three goals in four games will not be enough to get results every week. They will need to show more bite in the final third against the Quakes, who possess one of the most dangerous attacks in MLS. If they are able to get a result then the Caps will match or surpass their points total on the road for the whole of last season.
<b>Predicted Score: San Jose Earthquakes 1 Vancouver Whitecaps 1</b>
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