<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
After a couple of impressive performances in his past few games, including with the Reserves, <b>Atiba Harris</b> should see a start on the right side of the midfield. The Whitecaps will need the MLS veteran to become a presence in the box, especially on set pieces, while tracking back in order to slow down a potent KC attack.
Despite playing most of his time on the pitch as a right sided player, <b>Kei Kamara</b> leads Sporting KC and MLS in shots attempted and on target. After bouncing around with a couple of clubs, the native of Sierre Leone has established himself as one of most dangerous scorers in MLS.
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DEFENCE
The Whitecaps need a bounce back game from <b>Jordan Harvey</b> as he matches up against one of the better right wingers in Kamara. If Harvey can slow Kamara down on his own it will lessen the need for the other defenders to help, which will keep the backline more compact.
After being exposed in the 2010 MLS expansion draft (where the Caps selected Leathers) <b>Chance Myers</b> had a breakout season in 2011 and has become one of the best young wing backs in MLS. A graduate of the Generation Adidas program, and former 1st overall pick, Myers is finally getting over his injury woes and is living up to his promise.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
While he is still trying to find chemistry with all his teammates, <b>Sebestien Le Toux</b> is one of the hardest workers at the Club. Despite starting as a striker, Le Toux was running all over the park in the last game against San Jose, intercepting passes and consistently getting fouled for Caps free kicks.
One of the bigger reasons that Sporting were comfortable in letting Jack Jewsbury go to Portland was the development of <b>Graham Zusi</b>. The League leader in assists has settled into a central midfield role, where he is an excellent distributor and one of the biggest threats in the MLS to score from set pieces from any distance.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver:
2W-2D-1L
7th in Western Conference
Last Match: 3-1 Loss at San Jose Earthquakes
Kansas City:
6W-0D-0L
1st in Eastern Conference
Last Match: 1-0 Win at home to Real Salt Lake
<b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>
<b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
Vancouver:
Out: FW Darren Mattocks (shoulder), DF Alain Rochat (knee), GK Brian Sylvestre (knee)
Doubtful: MF Floyd Franks (back), MF Michael Nanchoff (heel contusion), FW Etienne Barbara (groin strain)
Kansas City:
Out: GK Eric Kronberg (lower back), MF Julio Cesar (hamstring)
Doubtful: DF Cyprian Hedrick (Achilles)
<b>GAME PREDICTION :</b>
After playing the first 428 minutes of the season without allowing a goal, setting the MLS record in the process, the Whitecaps backline imploded, allowing three goals in ten minutes. Very few at the Club expected the streak to continue through another 90 minutes but it was disappointing that mental errors were the cause, especially on two of the goals. After a week and a half of stewing with this defeat, the Whitecaps will face an undefeated Sporting Kansas City side, as they look to bounce back from their first loss of the season.
With Alain Rochat still not fully recovered from a knee injury, Joe Cannon will have the same backline of Lee, Bonjour, DeMerit and Harvey for the third straight match. Martin Rennie is hoping that the four can seal the cracks that were exposed by the Earthquakes, with DeMerit and Harvey needing better performances especially. With two games this week, it looks as though Jun Marques Davidson will be given a rest for the SKC match, which will mean that Koffie and Thorrington will pair in the middle of the park.
With the switch to a 4-4-2 formation, Chiumiento will move outside to the left side and Atiba Harris enters the lineup on the right. Up top, Eric Hassli will be joined by his country man to form the striking pair, but expect Le Toux to drop deep in to the midfield to support the defensive efforts of central midfield.
At first glance the Whitecaps look to face a vaunted attack, but Sporting is one of the better defensive clubs in MLS allowing only one goal through six games and that was scored on a free kick. The backline, along with the holding midfielders, have started every game and have allowed the fewest shots against (9), meaning Jimmy Nielsen has only had to make eight saves this season, the lowest amongst starting keepers. There will be a new starter in the midfield, as Julio Cesar has been ruled out and his spot will most likely be taken by Paulo Nagamura.
The MLS League leader in assists, Graham Zusi, will be the key to their attack and he has two dangerous scorers at his disposal. Both Kamara and Sapong are off to fast starts, with each scoring three goals, and both are not afraid to unleash their shots on the net. Kamara is especially threatening, leading the League in shots attempted and shots on goal, while Sapong is a handful in the box.
It was about a year ago when these visitors from the Midwest stormed out to a three goal lead at Empire Field, before the Whitecaps got two in stoppage time to salvage a draw and create one of the most memorable moments of their first MLS season. The players involved in that game are unlikely to have forgotten it and it is unknown whether it will assist them or be a detriment in this match. The Caps also find their opponents playing their second of three games in a week which could see some players rested. These factors, including a certain player hearing it from a Canadian crowd, could assist in the Whitecaps handing Sporting KC their first loss of the season.
<b>Predicted Score: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 Sporting Kansas City 1</b>
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