KEY PLAYERS
Attacking
There is no doubt that Russell Teibert has taken a step in his progression to be a regular MLS starter but the next step for him is to be a consistent performer on the road. His breakthrough performance was at home against RSL, where he was able to make timely runs that stretched the backline. The Canadian midfielder will be needed to make those runs and accurate passes to counteract the possession game of RSL.
The potential loss of their top strikers means that former TFC player Joao Plata will be needed to find the net for RSL. The diminutive Ecuadorian is ranked with the third most shots on the team but has yet to register a goal in seven appearances. While not an aerial threat in the box Plata is a speedy player who is capable of slipping through traffic and is a threat to score on the counter.
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Defence
There may be a chance that the Whitecaps will use Nigel Reo-Coker as their holding midfielder in place of Jun Marques Davidson who played 90 minutes on Wednesday. While he is capable of being the destroyer and disrupter that most look for in that position, Reo-Coker can provide spark as an attacker which will leave the RSL attack unbalanced. Not needed in the midweek fixture, the midfielder will be rested enough to push the team forward and recover in order to protect the backline.
It was clearly Nick Rimando who saved a point for RSL in the last match against the Whitecaps with his spectacular saves. He has been forced to work more this year than in previous seasons and he is on pace to make over 120 saves, which would be the most since his first year with the club in 2007. The keeper, who was once traded for Jay Nolly, is small in stature but covers a lot of his net with his ability to read the match and his athleticism.
WHO’S ON FORM
In his longest appearance since the opening day Kekuta Manneh brought back Vancouver with a goal and an assist to earn a point a week ago against FC Dallas. It was his clinical finish that got him his first MLS goal, while his run down the left channel with pace helped set up the tying goal. The teenager may not start against RSL but he should provide a difference off the bench if the Caps are looking for a spark.
With the potential loss of their top two strikers RSL will need Javier Morales to step up his game which he has in the last few matches. He has a goal and an assist in his last three starts and was the team’s best player in the 2-0 loss to LA Galaxy last week. The Argentine playmaker is capable of finding players with his pinpoint passing but can be slowed down with some physical play.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Vancouver Whitecaps (4-4-2)
R to L - Joe Cannon; Y.P. Lee, Andy O’Brien, Johnny Leveron, Alain Rochat; Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie, Russell Teibert, Daigo Kobayashi; Corey Hertzog, Camilo Sanvezzo
Real Salt Lake (4-4-2)
R to L - Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Chris Schuler, Lovel Palmer; Kyle Beckerman, Ned Grabavoy, Luis Gil, Javier Morales; Joao Plata, Devon Sandoval
2013 RECORD
Vancouver Whitecaps:
2W-3D-3L-9PTS
7th in Western Conference
Last Match: 2-0 Win vs FC Edmonton (NASL)
Real Salt Lake:
3W-2D-4L-11PTS
5th in Western Conference
Last Match: 2-0 Loss vs LA Galaxy
OVERVIEW
Vancouver Whitecaps return to MLS action as they hit the road and face Real Salt Lake at the imposing Rio Tinto Stadium. Coming into this game the Caps currently are in the middle of three game unbeaten streak in all competitions which include a couple of wins against FC Edmonton of the NASL. However take those two games away and the club is have yet to register a win in their last six MLS matches.
Many questions abound when it comes to the starting eleven for this match, with the biggest coming to as who starts in the net. Does Rennie go with veteran Joe Cannon who could be faulted partly for the goals allowed last week or does Brad Knighton get the call for his first MLS start of the season? With changes elsewhere, Cannon should continue for now.
The backline will have shuffling as well. It appears that Brad Rusin has not travelled, which means Andy O’Brien will start his fifth match in two weeks. Will he be partnered with Johnny Leveron for his first MLS start or does Alain Rochat slide into the middle meaning Jordan Harvey starts on the left opposite Y.P. Lee? We're going with Leveron, and the Honduran showed a good understanding with O'Brien in the last two Voyageurs Cup games, which will help with the communication aspect.
There are even more questions in the midfield where Rennie could go with a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 diamond. In order to provide more of an attack from a deeper position Nigel Reo-Coker may start as the holding midfielder with Gershon Koffie, Russell Teibert and Daigo Kobayashi in front of him.
One of the remaining spots up top will go to Camilo who seems to be back in the form from two years ago. With Kenny Miller still out with a hamstring injury, the other spot will manned by Darren Mattocks, Corey Hertzog or Tom Heinemann.
In the previous matchup it was Hertzog who gave fits to the RSL backline with his workrate, even if he was unable to provide much in the way of goals. If he can wear down the central defenders then they may be more susceptible to the pace of Mattocks off the bench. His goal on Wednesday night and his overall second half performance should see him get the nod over a confidence sapped Mattocks.
A big advantage for the Caps will be if their opponents will be without their first two options at striker as both Saborio and Findley are dealing with knocks. This will allow the Caps to start Reo-Coker in front of the backline as there will less of a threat from the forwards. It may also be a perfect time to throw Leveron into the mix who may match up better than Rusin against the smaller Plata.
As normal in a match against RSL the battle of the midfield will be the key for the Caps to secure some points. The Caps will have little chance for any result if they allow RSL to control possession and patiently build their attack from the back.
More high pressure will be needed in order to keep Salt Lake off balance and avoid any service to their inexperienced strikers. They can’t allow any space to their midfielders especially the dynamic Morales and Luis Gil.
The Whitecaps are ending their most difficult part of the season when it comes to fixture congestion as they played a total of five matches in two weeks, including a couple of matches against FC Edmonton of the NASL. While only one player, Andy O’Brien, played every minute over those two weeks there is still a disruption to the normal training when midweek games are involved.
There has also been a disruption to the continuity of the lineup on the pitch as Rennie has been forced to rotate his squad in order to keep everyone fresh. A positive can be taken out of it as they were able to get some performances from some unexpected players which will continue to increase the strength of their roster depth.
The Whitecaps have yet to win this season on the road and it won’t be easy for them to get their first at Rio Tinto. However if they can duplicate their performances at home on the road, a positive result is possible for the Caps.
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