<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
Having struggled to find his scoring touch recently, going goalless in his last six MLS starts, <b>Sebastien Le Toux</b> should benefit from the time off after playing every minute for Vancouver in MLS competition. The Caps need their biggest off season acquisition to lead the attack whether he starts on the wing or as a central striker.
With the Dynamo’s leading scorer, Will Bruin, listed as questionable with a concussion, it will be up to veteran <b>Brian Ching</b> to provide a presence up front for the Dynamo. It’s been a struggle for the American striker since his return from the Impact and he has only scored once in his nine starts so far this season.
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DEFENCE
A player who clearly needed the time off, <b>Lee Young-Pyo</b> started to show his age as the busy month of May concluded for the Caps. He will have very little time to relax as he faces Brad Davis, one of the best left footed midfielders in MLS, who led the league last season with 16 assists. The rest should also allow Lee to help in the attack down the right flank, something that was missing in the last few matches.
The Dynamo will be missing three regulars along the backline due to World Cup qualifying so it will be up to veteran defender <b>Bobby Boswell</b> to lead the makeshift backline against the Whitecaps. One of his biggest strengths is his ability in the air, whether he is clearing the ball out of the box or as an attacker on set pieces.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
In his first two appearances in MLS <b>Darren Mattocks</b> has shown his pace and his ability to outrun defenders. He was unable to find his touch against Seattle but scored his first MLS goal as a sub against the Timbers, helping Vancouver earn a point against their Cascadian rivals. The big question will be where Mattocks starts as he could be in the middle as a central attacker or using his speed on the wing.
The league leader in the assist category last season, <b>Brad Davis</b> generates the majority of the opportunities for the Dynamo from set pieces and open play. Despite only picking up two assists to go with his two goals this season, the American winger has the potential to have a breakout performance so the Caps will have to mark him closely.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
5W-4D-3L
5th in Western Conference
Last Match: 1-1 Draw at Portland Timbers
Houston:
4W-4D-3L
7th in Eastern Conference
Last Match: 2-1 Win vs LA Galaxy
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
Out: GK Brian Sylvestre (knee), FW Atiba Harris (knee), FW Omar Salgado (foot), DF Michael Boxall (Intl/New Zealand), FW Long Tan (suspended by club)
Houston:
Out: DF Kofi Sarkodie (foot), DF Alex Dixon (concussion), GK Erich Marscheider (shoulder), Geoff Cameron (Intl/USA), Jermaine Taylor (Intl/Jamaica), André Hainault (Intl/Canada), Je-Vaughn Watson (Intl/Jamaica)
Questionable: FW Will Bruin (concussion)
<b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
The Whitecaps return to action after a two week break to face Houston Dynamo, last season’s MLS Cup runner ups. It was a much needed rest for their tired legs after a busy month of May that saw them play eight games in twenty four days. The two clubs split results last year with Vancouver losing 3-1 in Houston but returned triumphing later in the season with a 1-0 win at Empire.
After the time off expect the Caps to go with a strong lineup against the Dynamo, as Joe Cannon will be called upon to make the start in goal once again. In front of him Jay DeMerit will partner with Martin Bonjour while Alain Rochat and Lee Young-Pyo will play wide on the backline. Depending on how Rennie decides to approach this game it will be either John Thorrington or Davide Chiumiento as third midfielder with the regulars Gershon Koffie and Jun Marques Davidson.
It gets a little complicated when it comes to who starts up front, as the combinations are numerous. Although he struggled with his finish recently Sebastien Le Toux has played every minute in the MLS this year and his high work rate guarantees him one of the spots. Eric Hassli and Darren Mattocks showed some good chemistry at the end the Portland game but it is unknown how effective Mattocks would be on the wing. Thus, Camilo should be starter on the left side with either Mattocks or Hassli playing the central role.
This will be the first of three straight games at home before the Caps go on the road for five so getting the three points against a depleted Dynamo lineup is vital. Houston will be missing four starters due to international duty including three from the backline and one from the midfield. It’s the three unavailable defenders that make this game winnable as it is normally the Dynamo’s main strength.
However, Martin Rennie doesn’t feel the absences will affect the way the Whitecaps approach the match and the tactics they will employ.
"It won’t affect our planning but it might affect theirs. It affects every team if you lose starting players but we just have to focus on what we’re doing and we know it will be a very hard game. Houston is a strong team and a formidable force."
Despite what Rennie says, expect the Caps to run their attack through the left side with Houston’s right back spot being patrolled by a rookie. They may also put more crosses into the box with both Hainault and Cameron unavailable for selection. While the Dynamo normally plays a 4-4-2, they may switch to 4-2-3-1 in order to give their backline a little more coverage.
Defending against the Dynamo will become easier if Will Bruin is unable to start due to a concussion issue, as the sophomore player has score five of the club’s twelve goals this season. Add to that the two goals from Hainault on set pieces and their starters will only have combined for five goals this season.
However the one player that will have to be tracked closely will be Brad Davis who led the league last year with sixteen assists. He is especially dangerous on set pieces where he is able to find players in the box and score goals on his own from free kicks. Along with left back Corey Ashe, it is the left side of Houston that will have to be closely marked in order to keep a clean sheet.
A strong start is needed by the Caps who are going to face a side that will most likely play a defensive game and try to grind out a result. The longer the Whitecaps go without scoring the more confidence the Dynamo players will gain making it hard to get the full three points. A result against Houston will get the Caps over the twenty point mark which they didn’t achieve last season until late August when they beat the Dynamo.
<b>AFTN Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 Houston Dynamo 0</b>
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