KEY PLAYERS
Attacking
The Whitecaps will need their best player this year Nigel Reo-Coker to bring his 'A' game to the match against Montreal in order for them to have a chance to win the Cup. They will need him to help drive the ball through the final third and use his passing ability to break down the Impact’s ability to clog up the area in and around the box.
Considered an afterthought at the beginning of the season by some Patrice Bernier is one of the Impact’s most important players in the central midfield. The Canadian international controls the tempo of their attack and is capable of switching from defense to offense very quickly as evident of his team leading four assists.
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Defence
The Whitecaps need a perfect game from their backline to stop DiVaio and Johnny Leveron will be a big key in accomplishing that. His first two starts at home has seen the team give up only one goal and he would have made a difference against Portland if it were not for a suspension.
Dealing with injuries has seen Alessandro Nesta miss a number of games this season for the Impact. It wasn’t the smoothest return for the Italian international as they gave up three goals in their win over the Philadelphia Union and are struggling over the last few games to keep the ball out of their net.
WHO’S ON FORM
In his last start against the Portland Timbers Camilo had the opportunity to start as the striker up top and had his best game under the Rennie regime. He scored from a perfectly placed free kick and then set up Koffie for his strike to give the Caps the temporary lead. In his last five MLS starts the Brazilian has scored a total of three goals and assisted on another.
One of the top goal scorers in MLS Marco Di Vaio has proven that he has the ability to score at any time and from anywhere on the pitch. His three goals against the Union this weekend has put him at the top of the MLS goal scoring lead. However he has yet to score a goal when starting on the road, one as a sub in New York, and tired legs will be an issue after playing almost 90 minutes.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Vancouver Whitecaps (4-3-3) R to L- Brad Knighton; Y.P. Lee, Andy O’Brien, Johnny Leveron, Alain Rochat; Jun Marques Davidson, Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie; Russell Teibert, Darren Mattocks, Camilo
Montreal Impact (4-4-2) Troy Perkins; Jeb Brovsky, Alessandro Nesta, Matteo Ferrari, Dennis Iapichino; Justin Mapp, Patrice Bernier, Felipe Martins, Andres Romeo; Andrew Wenger, Marco DiVaio
2013 RECORD
Vancouver Whitecaps:
3W-4D-4L-13P
8th in Western Conference
Last Match: 3-1 Win vs LA Galaxy
Montreal Impact:
7W-2D-2L-23P
2nd in Eastern Conference
Last Match: 5-3 Win vs Philadelphia Union
OVERVIEW
After suffering through many years of disappointment in this competition Vancouver Whitecaps have a chance to exercise some of their demons as they take on Montreal Impact for the Voyageurs Cup at BC Place. The winner not only gets the chance to lift some silverware but also books their spot in the CONCACAF Champions league.
The Whitecaps will go with the keeper that brought them through to the final with Brad Knighton starting between the posts. In front he will have Andy O’Brien, Johnny Leveron and Alain Rochat, while Y.P. Lee will make his debut in this year's tournament.
With the Caps most likely going for a 4-3-3 in this match, Nigel Reo-Coker will captain the team in the midfield and will be joined by Gershon Koffie and Jun Marques Davidson. Up top the Caps should have Camilo on the left, with Russell Teibert on the right and the striker either being Darren Mattocks or Kenny Miller depending on his fitness.
A couple of weeks ago the Whitecaps went into Stade Saputo and came out with a scoreless draw, which is better than what most teams have done this year. When you take into consideration what Vancouver has done on the road so far this season it was an ideal result.
However the problem with a scoreless draw in a two leg aggregate final is that the Impact’s first goal now counts for two. In this scenario the Caps must win this game while the visitors can either win or draw for the Championship.
In order to do this the Whitecaps will have to play aggressive at times during the match even though Montreal is suited to absorb attacks and then counter. An approach similar to their win against the Galaxy would be ideal as long as they finish their chances.
An early goal would also be ideal for the home team as it would take Montreal out of their typical tactics of waiting for the counter. The space between the midfield and backline would open up and the Caps could start going for that two goal lead if they are able to stay aggressive.
With the Impact being so strong down the middle, Vancouver's best options to attack are in the wide areas where the fullbacks need to push up the field. The two wingers will also be vital in working with the attacking defenders along with the need for them to attack the box from the sideline.
Defensively, the most obvious answer is to contain Di Vaio as the Italian striker is the leading scorer in MLS. However the Caps will also need to control the service to the box by keeping tight marks on the midfield and not giving them the space to work the ball into the dangerous areas.
In addition to being named Canadian Champions and getting the chance to play against bigger competition from Central America, the Whitecaps will earn more money to bring in transfers during the summer. However with this season being as frustrating as their struggles to win the Cup, a victory could be a turning point for the Caps in accomplishing the majority of their goals for 2013.
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