<b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
ATTACKING
Brought in to be the creative force in the midfield, <b>Daigo Kobayashi</b> will be important to the Whitecaps attack, especially if TFC decides to play more defensive. While he may be more effective in a central role it looks as though Rennie will have Kobayashi start on the right side where he could provide service into the box.
Having just joined TFC this week <b>Robert Earnshaw</b> may not be available to play on Saturday due to his paperwork not being completed. If he does become available Toronto will have the experience and finishing they desperately need at the striker position.
DEFENCE
As arguably Vancouver's most versatile player, <b>Alain Rochat</b> could start in three different positions but it looks as though he will be at his most natural left back spot this weekend. He will provide his normal physical defending to the left side but more importantly will be a threat going forward.
Brought in during last summer's transfer window central defender <b>Darren O'Dea</b> will be looked upon by TFC to be the leader of their backline. He will have to deal with the pace of the Whitecaps especially from Mattocks up top, and if Manneh also plays, he may struggle to cope.
<b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
The preseason couldn't have started faster for <b>Darren Mattocks</b> as he scored three goals in the fifteen minutes in their first match. There is no doubt that the young striker is capable of scoring in the double digits if he can stay healthy and away from the referees.
One of the more impressive players this preseason for TFC is their second pick from this last draft <b>Emery Welshman</b>. The Canadian looks like he will start on the left side of the midfield where he will provide pace, athleticism as well as the ability to score.
<b>2012 RECORD :</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
11W-10D-13L
43PTS
5th in Western Conference
Toronto FC
5W-8D-21L
23PTS
10th in Eastern Conference
<b>PROJECTED LINEUP :</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps (4-2-3-1)
Joe Canon; YP Lee, Andy O'Brien, Jay DeMerit, Alain Rochat; Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie; Daigo Kobayashi, Kenny Miller, Kekuta Manneh; Darren Mattocks
We can't even begin to have a go at predicting Toronto's full lineup, as we simply do not know how ready the new signings are for first team action. They had 22 players running around at Friday's training, so that's a start.
<b>ANALYSIS :</b>
Vancouver Whitecaps kick off their third MLS season against Canadian rivals Toronto FC on Saturday in what can be said is a role reversal. In their first season the expansion Caps defeated the established side 4-2, but now Toronto is more in expansion mode with so many changes occurring in the offseason.
The lineup for the Caps will see a few changes from last season but Rennie still looks like he will employ a 4-2-3-1 formation. In what could be considered a surprise, Joe Cannon has wrestled the number one keeper spot back from Brad Knighton this preseason, after working hard in training and impressing in game action.
The backline will have four starters from last year as YP Lee, Andy O'Brien and Jay Demerit start on the backline while Alain Rochat returns to his natural left back position. The two holding midfielder spots on the pitch will likely go to newly acquired Nigel Reo-Coker and Gershon Koffie.
The wide spots in the midfield should have two new starters, with Daigo Kobayashi on the right side and teenager Kekuta Manneh on the left. The attacking midfield/withdrawn striker role will be given to Kenny Miller while Darren Mattocks will try to break free with his pace up top.
Whether these are the starters or not the most important key for the Whitecaps is to get off to a quick start, as the longer they allow TFC to remain in the game, the more confidence the underdogs will acquire. The Caps have been assembled with speed in mind but they will need more, especially if Toronto plays behind the ball.
The visitors are expected to park the bus like this primarily because of the lack of quality attackers they have either signed or who are match fit. In order to break down these defensive tactics, the Caps will need to play with some movement in order to keep TFC off guard. If they can drag the backline away from goal and create space then the pace of Mattocks and Manneh will help create opportunities for goals.
Toronto have a lot of unknowns but Martin Rennie has said he is very familiar with those on the TFC squad, including the new arrivals, and the Caps have done their homework and are well prepared.
The majority of the North American soccer community has already written off TFC in this opener which could be dangerous, especially if the players mistakenly view this as a walk in the park. Martin Rennie, however, will not allow the players to take Toronto lightly and he feels that is anything is possible on the soccer pitch.
<i>"For us, it doesn't matter to me if they have 30 players on the roster or they have 18 players on the roster. When it comes down to the game it's going to be 11 against 11. You have to respect your opponent all the time, but you also have to respect the game of soccer and if you decide not to do that then it can back to hurt you and back to bite you."</i>
This message will need to expressed to the starting eleven if the Whitecaps look to start this season like they did the first two. Luckily for them they still have enough leaders from last season, when they lost the Voyageurs Cup to the <i>"worst club in the world."</i> In fact since the opening game in 2011 the Whitecaps have yet to beat Toronto in six games in all competitions.
There are high expectations for the Caps coming into their third season which is why this first game against TFC is vital to build that confidence going forward. A negative result, which includes a draw, will start the questions being asked by the experts, even if it will only be one game into the season.
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