<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
He may not start but <b>Kenny Miller</b> looks to play extended minutes against RSL after playing in a couple of reserve matches, and has looked ready to go in training. When he does come off the bench the Scottish international will be given some freedom on the pitch to roam and make his runs from different channels.
While he doesn’t have the stats of his striking partner <b>Fabian Espindola</b> is a very dangerous player for the Utah club. He is a perfect complement to Saborio up top as he is a playmaker as well as a finisher with his six goals and four assists. The Argentine likes to drop deep in the midfield and drift to the wide parts of the field where he is capable of delivering a solid cross.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
DEFENCE
The last week of July started out strong for <b>Jay DeMerit</b> but ended badly due to almost three full ninety minute performances in a span of six days. He was able to shut down Wondolowski at home and then travelled across the continent to unexpectedly play for the entire match against Chelsea in the MLS All-Star game. His fatigued performance against RSL left a lot to be desired so the captain is looking to redeem himself on Saturday.
He may not get the accolades of his fellow central defenders but <b>Nat Borchers</b> is one of the best in MLS having been named defender of the year three times. The normally reliable player has started at least 29 games for six straight seasons. He has had to deal with a few injuries at the beginning of this season but looks to finally be in form.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
Brought in to be the field general in the middle of the pitch, <b>Barry Robson</b> has so far lived up to expectations. In the previous match the Scottish international went toe to toe against Beckerman and was not worse for wear. He was all over the pitch providing passes up top and was coming back to make key defensive plays at the back.
Against the Whitecaps <b>Álvaro Saborío</b> continued his strong play and his game winning brace was the difference in the match. The Costa Rican striker is now second in goals to Wondolowski with thirteen for the season and has already surpassed his previous MLS high of twelve with still ten games to go this year.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
9W-7D-7L
4th in Western Conference
Last Match: 2-1 Loss at Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake:
13W-3D-8L
2nd in Western Conference
Last Match: 1-0 Loss at Colorado Rapids
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
Out: FW Omar Salgado (foot)
Suspension: GK Joe Cannon
International Duty: FW Etienne Barbara
Real Salt Lake:
Out: DF Chris Schuler (foot), GK Lalo Fernandez (wrist) DF Jamison Olave (hamstring)
Probable: MF Will Johnson (ankle), GK Kyle Reynish (rib)
<b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps return to action after getting a much deserved week off as they face the Real Salt Lake for the second time in as many matches. The Caps tied the game up at one apiece with a goal by Mattocks after a first half penalty by Saborio, but were unable to hold on to the draw and Saborio scored his second for a 2-1 win.
In that match Joe Cannon received a red card for handling the ball outside the box and will miss this game, meaning Brad Knighton will get his first MLS start of the season. He will have a rested back four in front of him with Jay DeMerit and Martin Bonjour in the middle while YP Lee and Alain Rochat will play in the wide areas. In front of them as the 'fifth defender' will be Jun Marques Davidson playing the holding midfielder role.
The other two in the midfield will be Gershon Koffie and Barry Robson, both of whom will look to marshal the centre of the pitch. Up top for the Caps will be Darren Mattocks in the middle, with Dane Richards on the right and Camilo on the left. One of the first players off the bench should be Kenny Miller, who is looking sharper every day in training.
The big question for the Caps coming into this game will be how well Knighton will be able to replace Cannon between the posts. While the younger keeper is more athletic and will be able to boot the ball farther down the field, how he organizes the back four will be the key. Will the regular defenders who are used to Cannon’s calls on the field adjust to Knighton when he is shouting instructions?
The Whitecaps were unable to handle the trio of Morales, Saborio and Espindola in the last match and they allowed them too many opportunities. The rest for the defenders, especially DeMerit, could very much make the difference in order to keep those three off the score sheet.
A quick goal could make the difference for the Whitecaps as RSL has had trouble scoring in their last four road games in all competitions, with four losses and zero goals in over 360 minutes. In all four games the first goal came in the first half, with three of them being scored in the first fifteen minutes.
The pace of Mattocks and Richards should be able to back up the opposing defenders allowing more space for Camilo, Robson and Koffie to operate. The Caps will also need more attack from their two full backs down the flanks and both should be re-energized with the rest.
Every game is important going forward this season. They are all against Western Conference opponents so dropping points at home are unacceptable in the second half of the year. These are a vital three points for the Whitecaps. It's the proverbial six pointer, as a loss will not only drop them further back off the pace at the top of the West but could also potentially drop them to fifth in the overall standings depending on other results.
<b>AFTN Editor's Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 3 Real Salt Lake 1</b>
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