<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
Against Seattle <b>Camilo</b> was rested for the majority of the game, coming on in the final ten minutes, but made a major impression scoring off a long free kick. The Brazilian was one of the more dangerous attackers in the first leg and should either start in the middle or on the left wing.
One of the players who has been outspoken in his disappointment for TFC’s season was <b>Danny Koevermans</b>, this week calling the club the worst in the world. Coming off an injury and fully fit, the designated player will be needed to be strong in the box and also hold up the ball well for TFC to hold on for the victory.
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DEFENCE
The backline needs <b>Jay DeMerit</b> to step up his game and be the leader the club hoped for when they made him their first MLS signing. It will be up to the American defender to closely mark Koevermans, as he will make the Caps pay with any kind of space in the box.
Coming off major knee surgery, and despite not being fully fit, <b>Adrian Cann</b> has emerged as one of TFC’s better defenders and his leadership will be needed with two young defenders as part of the backline. He will need to be prepared for either the pace of Darren Mattocks or the size and technical ability of Eric Hassli.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
Canadian <b>Alain Rochat</b> is coming off a couple of impressive matches, playing his typical two way game at another level. He was able to make a significant impact on the attacking side against both Toronto and Seattle, first feeding Hassli a perfectly weighted ball against TFC and then scoring the opener against the Sounders.
In a season of major disappointment, designated player <b>Julian de Guzman</b> has been a relative bright spot for Toronto FC. The defending champs will need him to play solid and combine with someone like Frings to clog the midfield and keep Vancouver out wide and away from the net.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
5W-3D-3L
4th in Western Conference
Last Match: 2-2 Draw vs Seattle Sounders
Toronto:
0W-0D-9L
9th in Eastern Conference
Last Match: 3-1 Loss at D.C. United
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
Out: GK Brian Sylvestre (knee), FW Atiba Harris (quad)
Toronto:
Out: FW Nicholas Lindsay (knee), GK Stefan Frei (leg), DF Aaron Maund (eye), DF Logan Emory (shoulder)
Doubtful: DF Miguel Aceval (quadriceps)
Questionable: DF Dicoy Williams (knee), DF Torsten Frings (shoulder)
<b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
It was early July 2011 and the Whitecaps had to watch Toronto FC lift the Voyageurs Cup after being defeated 2-1 on the day and 3-2 on aggregate. The loss was bittersweet, especially when you consider that the Caps were less than 30 minutes away from winning the title at the original second leg before the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. The Caps hope they can turn around their luck and finally lift the trophy that has eluded them in the silverware's short history.
Apart from a few changes, there should be a similar lineup that starts on the BMO pitch as Joe Cannon will get the start on the goal with Lee, Bonjour, DeMerit and Rochat as the starting defence. Davidson will play his normal role as a holding midfielder while Koffie should start opposite him in front of the backline.
The third spot in the midfield will either go to Chiumiento, if Rennie wants more skill, or to Watson, if he wants more physicality around the net. It looks as though Le Toux and Camilo will definitely start up front for the Caps, most likely as the two wingers. The spot in the middle will either go to Darren Mattocks, who impressed against Seattle with his pace, or to Eric Hassli, who scored a spectacular equaliser against TFC last week.
The Caps will have to once again build their movement through the wide areas of the pitch and both Rochat and Lee will play a key role in the buildup plays. This will also be necessary with both Frings and de Guzman patrolling the central midfield for Toronto FC. The type of attack will also depend on which striker starts. With Hassli there will be patient buildup, compared to the quick strike style of Mattocks.
The trio of Bonjour, DeMerit and Davidson will have to mark Koevermans closely, as he is the biggest threat to score for TFC. Once again it will be up to Lee to make sure that Plata does not become a factor in the second leg of the final, like he did last year.
The media yesterday portrayed TFC as a wounded animal who is ready to give up due to all the losses this season. The Whitecaps must be wary of them, in the knowledge that the Voyageurs Cup and a berth to the Champions League is all they have left to play for this year.
In order to win the Cup for the first time, the Caps need to play this match as though they are a goal down and come out for a quick goal and completely deflate their opponents. A win against Toronto, and adding their first piece of hardware as a MLS club, would be the next vital step into creating the winning mentality for the Whitecaps future.
<b>AFTN Prediction: Toronto 1 Vancouver Whitecaps 2</b>
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