<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
This will be the first time <b>Sebestien Le Toux</b> will play a match against his former team as a member of a 'hated' rival when he lines up against the Sounders. In his four games against Seattle in his two years with the Union, Le Toux has recorded a goal and three assists. Apart from the games against FC Edmonton, the Frenchman has played every minute of the season for the Whitecaps and it looks as though he will see the full 90 minutes against Seattle.
The majority of the attack for the Sounders runs through <b>Mauro Rosales</b> and he is arguably the most gifted player on the pitch for Seattle. What makes him even more valuable is the amount of consistency he brings to every game, even when he isn’t directly involved in the goal. While the stat line is not there for the Argentine winger this year, he finished third in MLS last season with 13 assists.
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DEFENCE
Taking on the task to slow down Seattle’s best playmaker will be left back <b>Alain Rochat</b>, who will look to slow down Rosales with solid positioning combined with a little physical play. Since returning from injury, the Canadian born defender has also played centrally on the backline, but he is more effective on the left. It was his long ball late in the game on Wednesday that was perfectly placed which allowed Hassli to score the winner.
With the defence dealing with nagging injuries and an inexperienced goalkeeper, the Sounders will rely on <b>Osvaldo Alonso</b> to do as much as he can to prevent any chances reaching the box. The Cuban defector is great at marshaling the majority of the pitch and controlling possession of the ball. Once he has control, Alonso will quickly move forward distributing the ball and is even known to score some big goals.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
It was another great game for <b>Eric Hassli</b>, on as a second half sub, as he continued his road to returning from a long slump by scoring another highlight reel goal on Wednesday. The designated player has now scored four times in the last five games for the Whitecaps in all competitions. He still needs to work on his aerial game and avoid getting into conflict with the referees every time he is knocked down.
Another designated player who had a slow start to the season statswise, <b>Freddy Montero</b> has rediscovered his touch around the net. In his last four appearances the Colombian striker has scored three times and picked up an assist. In the second match last season it was Montero who dominated the Caps, scoring a brace and leading the Sounders to a Cascadia Cup.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
5W-3D-2L
4th in Western Conference
Last Match: 1-1 Draw vs Toronto FC (Voyageurs Cup)
Seattle:
7W-1D-2L
3rd in Western Conference
Last Match: 1-0 Loss vs Real Salt Lake
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
Out: GK Brian Sylvestre (knee)
Questionable: FW Atiba Harris (quad)
Seattle:
Out: GK Josh Ford (knee), MF Steve Zakuani (leg), DF Michael Tetteh (hamstring), FW Babayele Sodade (knee)
Doubtful: GK Michael Gspurning (hip), DF Patrick Ianni (back), MF Brad Evans (calf)
Probable: MF Alvaro Fernandez (quad), DF Leo Gonzalez (quad)
<b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
The Cascadian rivalry between Seattle and Vancouver resumes once again when the Sounders make the trip up north to face the Whitecaps at BC Place. If not for the stunning goal by Hassli in Seattle, the Caps could have been blanked in the head to head matchup last season. That goal earned them a point but it was a different story when the Sounders closed Empire with a 3-1 win, earning them the Cascadia Cup. By that game, in late September, the team was in shambles, had completely tuned out the coach and was just going through the motions to end their first season in MLS.
There shouldn’t be any changes in the backline and goal for the Caps as Cannon will start once again in goal with Lee, DeMerit, Bonjour, and Rochat as the defenders. The midfield should see Gershon Koffie and Davide Chiumiento return to the eleven while expect Jun Marques Davidson to keep his spot. There should be some rotation up front as well, with Omar Salgado and Eric Hassli starting, while Sebestien Le Toux remains to face his former team.
While the Sounders have their fair share of injuries, they are also one of the deepest rosters in MLS. The Caps will have to have to deal with arguably the most skilled pair of strikers so far this season in Freddy Montero and Eddie Johnson. In order to get these talented strikers the service they need, the Sounders build up their attack through the wide areas of the pitch, especially with Mauro Rosales on the right side.
Similarly, the Whitecaps will have to attack Seattle through their width as well, but for them it will be to stay away from Osvaldo Alonso. The Cuban holding midfielder is great at clogging up the middle of the park single handedly. If they can get past Alonso, then the Caps may be able to get opportunities against a banged up backline and an inexperienced goalkeeper.
At this point of the season the Whitecaps first priority is to beat TFC next Wednesday and lift their first Voyageurs Cup, advancing the CONCACAF Champions League. However they can’t afford to look past the match against Seattle and start a winless streak in league play. Also a win against the Sounders would be their first against a Pacific Northwest rival in MLS and put the Caps in the lead for the Cascadia Cup.
<b>AFTN Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 Seattle Sounders 1</b>
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