KEY PLAYERS
Attacking
After returning from a lengthy injury Kenny Miller made his debut against Montreal where he was able to play more than seventy minutes. It is unclear whether he can start on Saturday or if he comes off the bench to provide some attack and high work rate late in the match.
With Tim Cahill unavailable due to international duty, Thierry Henry will be looked upon in a bigger role to lead the attack. Not only does the designated player lead the club in goals but also has attempted the most shots among Red Bull players.
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Defence
There has been word that Lee will not be playing due to limiting his travel so Greg Klazura might get his first MLS start. There is no doubt that the sophomore player is a threat going forward on the attack but will need to look after his defensive responsibilities.
While he didn’t begin the season in the starting eleven Markus Holgersson reclaimed his spot from Heath Pearce after a couple of games. In addition to being strong in the air the Swedish defender is playing solid defense and making smart decisions with the ball at his feet.
WHO’S ON FORM
In the last two games Camilo Sanvezzo has been the Whitecaps' most dangerous player on the attack. Against Montreal, the Brazilian striker scored on a magnificent free kick from 35 yards out as well as just missing on a couple of close chances.
After being acquired in the offseason from Real Salt Lake Jamison Olave started the season slowly but has been able to pick up his game lately. Not only has the 2010 MLS Defender of the Year been solid on the backline but has also contributed offensively with four goals.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Vancouver Whitecaps (4-3-3) R to L- Brad Knighton; Greg Klazura, Andy O’Brien, Johnny Leveron, Alain Rochat; Jun Marques Davidson, Matt Watson, Russell Teibert; Kekuta Manneh, Kenny Miller, Camilo Sanvezzo
New York Red Bulls (4-4-2) Luis Robles; Kosuke Kimura, Jamison Olave, Markus Holgersson, Heath Pearce; Eric Alexander, Juninho, Dax McCarty, Johnny Steele; Thierry Henry, Fabian Espindola
2013 RECORD
Vancouver Whitecaps:
3W-4D-4L-13P
8th in Western Conference
Last MLS Match: 2-2 Draw vs Portland Timbers
New York Red Bulls:
7W-4D-4L-25P
1st in Eastern Conference
Last MLS Match: 2-2 Draw vs Columbus Crew
OVERVIEW
Vancouver Whitecaps hit the road and return to MLS action to face the Eastern Conference leading New York Red Bulls. A trip is what may be needed for the Caps to clear their head after blowing their chance at the Canadian Championship and Champions League football in the midweek final versus Montreal.
In three meetings in the MLS the two clubs have yet see either one be victorious in their matchups. A couple of draws were the result in their two games in 2011 while the Red Bulls travelled out west to earn a point last season.
There will be several changes to the lineup due to injuries and suspensions but the keeper position will remain the same from the last game as Brad Knighton seems to have a grip on the spot. In front of him he will Andy O’Brien and Johnny Leveron as the central partnership while the full backs could be a combination of either Y.P. Lee or Greg Klazura on the right and either Alain Rochat or Jordan Harvey on the left.
The midfield will have no alternative but to be different with Matt Watson and Russell Teibert joining Jun Marques Davidson, to take over for Gershon Koffie (injured) and Nigel Reo-Coker (suspended). The one guarantee at the attacking positions is that Camilo will start whether it is in the middle or on the left. If healthy then Kenny Miller could be an option for Caps to play alongside Camilo and either Corey Hertzog or Kekuta Manneh.
The Red Bulls are currently on a seven game unbeaten streak, which has included five wins, taking them to the spot in the East. It is their attack that has been their biggest contributor as they lead the MLS in goal scoring with 22.
While Henry leads the team with six goals, the scoring has been balanced over eight different players. They also have one of the most explosive pair of strikers with Henry teaming up with Fabian Espindola.
New York’s defending has been improved over their seven games and they have only allowed six goals over that period compared the eleven allowed in the first eight games. One of the biggest factors is the partnership of Olave and Holgersson in the middle of the backline.
It will be the wide areas where New York is vulnerable defensively and where the Whitecaps could take advantage when on the attack. The Caps might not play aggressively for this match if Rennie decides to play the conservative tactics for the last few road matches.
Defensively the Whitecaps need to clean up two aspects of the game into order to have a chance of slowing down the Red Bulls. They will need to defend set pieces better and avoid giving the opposing players so much space in the final third especially since so many of the Red Bulls can score from distance.
The Caps are still looking for their first win on the road, with only one point from five away matches this season. A win in New York would be an excellent bounce back from their loss on Wednesday and will prevent them from falling back in the West standings.
Although a victory may look unlikely, the performance will also be important and heavily scrutinised, with more and more questions being asked about the tenure of Martin Rennie as Whitecaps head coach.
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