<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
After missing several chances against Colorado, <b>Sebastien Le Toux</b> was finally able to bury a goal and secure three points for the Whitecaps. It was his first MLS goal in two months, although he did score two against FC Edmonton, and last year's MVP finalist has struggled to find his touch around the box. Le Toux has been playing very deep in the midfield helping out on the defensive side but must make more runs into the box like he did on Saturday.
After dealing with a back injury for most of the beginning of the season, <b>Joel Lindpere</b> is starting to become an integral part of the Red Bull attack. His numbers this year (2G, 1A) have dipped when compared to last season (7G, 7A) which is a concern to the club as they have had to rely on Henry and Cooper exclusively. Lindpere is capable of playing anywhere in the midfield but is mostly used in the wide areas where he normally is able to deliver solid crosses.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
DEFENCE
It looked like one of those days for <b>Martin Bonjour</b> over the weekend against the Rapids when he made that horrible back pass to Cannon, but the Argentine defender rebounded to have a solid game. In addition to his game saving dive to block a sure goal in the final moments of the match, Bonjour was very good inside the box, especially on crosses and set pieces where he was able to elevate over the others to clear the ball into safety.
The Red Bulls will be without both William Conde and Rafa Marquez against the Whitecaps so the visitors will have to rely on <b>Markus Holgersson</b> to lead in the center of the backline. So far this season the Swedish International has played every MLS minute for New York and has even scored a goal. The converted right back has the height, 6'4", to be a presence in the box on either side but has struggled at times with the switch to the North American game.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
Even before delivering the game winning assist against Colorado, <b>Davide Chiumiento</b> was arguably the best player on the pitch for the Whitecaps. In addition to the skilled moves he put on display for the home crowd, Chiumiento displayed a high work rate that was especially visible when he tracked back to cover for Alain Rochat. Having played on the left side the playmaker may move inside if Rennie decides to rest John Thorrington for a game.
While his first season back to MLS was a struggle for <b>Kenny Cooper</b>, a trade from Portland to New York seems to have been the perfect remedy for the striker. The co-leader in the goals scored, with eleven in twelve games, Cooper has scored four times in his last five played. He is dangerous around the box, whether it's in the air or on the deck, so the Caps will have to pay special attention to him especially with Henry unavailable.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
7W-4D-3L
3rd in Western Conference
Last Match: 1-0 Win vs Colorado Rapids
New York:
8W-2D-4L
3rd in Eastern Conference
Last Match: 3-1 Loss vs Chicago Fire
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
Out: GK Brian Sylvestre (knee), FW Atiba Harris (knee), FW Omar Salgado (foot), FW Darren Mattocks (suspended)
Doubtful: MF Matt Watson (R ankle sprain)
New York:
Out: MF Teemu Tainio (knee), FW Jose Angulo (knee), FW Thierry Henry (calf), MF Rafa Marquez (thigh), MF Mehdi Ballouchy (personal)
<b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
The Whitecaps are rounding the corner on a perfect home stand as they return to BC Place to face the Red Bulls of New York. Once again the Caps run into a little good luck as the visitors travel to the west coast with a number of players and their manager unavailable for the match. Included in the missing players are their two superstars, Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, who are both out due to injury.
There will be some adjustments to the starting eleven but the keeper will remain the same and Cannon will start in goal. There are no expected changes in the backline as DeMerit partners with Bonjour while Lee and Rochat will patrol the outside.
Rennie may rest Thorrington, especially with another match on the weekend, which means that the midfield could consist of Koffie, Davidson and Chiumiento.
With Mattocks suspended for the match, Le Toux will be the only returning starter up front. It should be either Hassli or Camilo in the middle of the attack while Nanchoff could see his first start on the left wing.
While there are a number of missing players for New York, the Caps will still have to deal with quite a few threats. Former Timber Kenny Cooper is tied with Wondolowski for the lead in goals in MLS, while his expected partner up top, Dane Richards, is always a threat because of his speed. With Marquez unavailable their main playmaker will be Joel Lindpere and he will service the strikers from the wing with his crosses.
While the Whitecaps will not face another makeshift backline, there are definite weaknesses that can be exposed. With Conde missing and Pearce forced to play in the midfield, the Red Bulls will have to call upon Stephen Keel to line up with Markus Holgersson. Against Chicago Roy Miller was constantly exposed on the left side so expect both Le Toux and Lee to make runs at the defender.
New York are coming to the west coast after playing on Sunday, giving the Red Bulls one less day to rest in addition to the travel. Before dropping their weekend match to the Fire, the Red Bulls were riding a six game unbeaten streak which included five wins, so the Caps can’t this team lightly. Once again a win will draw comparisons to last season as the Caps will match their point totals from all of last season only fifteen games into this campaign.
<b>AFTN Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 New York Red Bulls 0</b>
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