KEY PLAYERS
Attacking
After struggling to score in MLS, Darren Mattocks was finally able to get his second of the season late in the game against the Galaxy. Despite being an insurance tally for him the goal should be a confidence boost for the 2012 second overall pick. Another motivation going into this match is how Montreal passed on selecting Mattocks with the first pick of that draft.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench for the Impact, Marco Di Vaio has been one of the most consistent scorers in MLS this season. Despite being 36 the former Serie A striker has had no trouble in being able to handle the normally younger and more athletic MLS defenders. Since arriving last season Di Vaio has scored eleven times in 26 appearances for Montreal earning his Designated Player status.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Defence
Playing in every match so far this season, Andy O’Brien has been the work horse and the anchor for the Whitecaps backline. He will need to keep the defenders organised and calm, especially if he has one or two new fullbacks playing against the Impact. In addition to that he will be going up against one of the top scorers in MLS in Di Vaio, who he has met in Champions League play.
With Nesta unlikely to start, the leadership of the backline will fall to Matteo Ferrari, who is another veteran of Serie A. A physical presence for the Impact, Ferrari is dominant in aerial battles and is a threat to score on set pieces as he scored the winner last week against RSL.
WHO’S ON FORM
After scoring two goals against the Galaxy this weekend, Russell Teibert continues his strong play at home. With Kobayashi out due to injury, the former residency player will get called back into the starting eleven for the Caps. The question will be whether Teibert will play in the wide attacking role or will he be moved inside.
Under the new coaching staff it seemed as if Justin Mapp was going to struggle to find his place in the starting eleven. However in his last four starts the former Philadelphia Union player has scored two goals and two assists. If he starts on Wednesday against the Whitecaps then expect the American to be a threat to attack from the wing.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Vancouver Whitecaps (4-3-3)
R to L - Joe Cannon; Y.P. Lee, Andy O’Brien, Brad Rusin, Jordan Harvey; Jun Marques Davidson, Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie; Russell Teibert, Darren Mattocks, Kekuta Manneh
Montreal Impact (4-5-1)
R to L - Troy Perkins; Jeb Brovsky, Hassoun Camara, Matteo Ferrari, Dennis Iapichino; Justin Mapp, Patrice Bernier, Felipe Martins, Davy Arnaud, Andres Romeo; Andrew Wenger
2013 RECORD
Vancouver Whitecaps:
3W-3D-4L-12P
7th in Western Conference
Last Match: 3-1 Win vs LA Galaxy
Montreal Impact:
6W-2D-2L-20P
4th in Eastern Conference
Last Match: 3-2 Win vs Real Salt Lake
OVERVIEW
For the third straight season Vancouver Whitecaps find themselves in the final of the Voyageurs Cup final with the chance to advance to the CONCACAF Champions League tournament. This time they will not be facing TFC but an older rival in the Montreal Impact as they look to win their first Canadian title after many years of heartbreak, controversy and ultimately failure.
The Caps will start the first leg with some changes to the line-up that defeated the Galaxy on the weekend but Joe Cannon seems likely to be the starter in goal. In front of him he should have Andy O’Brien and Brad Rusin pairing up in the middle as Johnny Leveron looks to get a break. Another change could be at left back where Jordan Harvey might see the start ahead of Alain Rochat with YP Lee remaining on the right side.
The midfield is unlikely to change with Jun Marques Davidson as the holding midfielder while Nigel Reo-Coker and Gershon Koffie will play in an attacking role. Up top Rennie could go with the hard working Corey Hertzog or the pace of Darren Mattocks who has a vendetta against Montreal. On the wings the Caps will have Russell Teibert and Kekuta Manneh on the right and left side with both players able to move in centrally for added support.
So far this season the Whitecaps have yet to win this season in MLS action with their last two matches against RSL and FC Dallas being their poorest performances of the year. While they did win in their last trip to Montreal two years ago, against a NASL side, they have not fared well playing at Stade Saputo.
The Caps are most likely to play a conservative game hoping for a cleansheet with a chance to take the title at home in the second leg. However, if they can use their pace up front against a seemingly slower Impact backline, Vancouver could steal an away goal which would put them in a better position heading home.
Who the Caps face up top is unclear due to Di Vaio starting on the weekend and playing 90 minutes against RSL on the weekend. A bigger concern for the Whitecaps will be how they can slow down Montreal’s midfield that consistently has been the strongest part of their eleven.
<p>