At the time of this writing, the Vancouver Whitecaps are in Montreal, Quebec, preparing for the first leg of the Voyageurs Cup semi-final against the Montreal Impact. God, the Montreal Impact. The Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders are, of course, Vancouver's greatest rivals, but there's something to be said for the amount of sheer, venomous hatred the Impact can inspire in Whitecaps supporters. Their signing of Bill Gaudette, who might be Vancouver's goalkeeping arch-nemesis, over the summer only deepened the black rift between Montreal and Vancouver.
So when the Whitecaps play the Impact, it'll be the renewal of a historic rivalry. But it'll also be a strategic conundrum for Teitur Thordarson and the Whitecaps coaching staff. It's a difficult midweek road game against the Impact and the hostile Ultras of Stade Saputo. It's a semi-final for the Voyageurs Cup, and opinions differ on how much the Voyageurs Cup matters relative to the league. Moreover, there's another tricky league game coming on the weekend as the Whitecaps, already sinking out of the playoff picture, try to get back to their winning ways against the Columbus Crew. Then there's the lingering suspicions of the Impact's ability. Montreal hasn't had the toughest schedule but they're winless through three games and have not looked good. Their most recent effort, a 0-0 draw at home to FC Tampa Bay in the weekend, wouldn't have turned any doubters into believers as the Impact's vaunted midfield and highly-reputed attacking corps failed to break through the mediocre Tampa Bay defense, while the Rowdies forwards got a few surprising chances.
So on every level, the temptation will be there for Teitur Thordarson. Why not play a weakened lineup? A few guys who don't matter too much in the big scheme of things, maybe a couple Residency players? You might beat the Impact anyway and even if you don't, well, you've still got the home leg coming up next week and plenty of time to make up as many goals as you have to. Why not?
Because it would be disgracing a tournament the Whitecaps have a chance to win, that's why not.
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The good news is that it looks like the Whitecaps will take this game seriously. They've brought a 20-man roster of mostly credible names. A few guys nursing injury, like Jay DeMerit, are staying at home but the core of the Whitecaps is there. They've also taken a chance bringing along a few players nursing injuries but still potentially useful like Jeb Brovsky and Shea Salinas. Also, Gershon Koffie is being flown in from the African Youth Championship in South Africa and is expected to be available. Both Koffie and designated player Eric Hassli are suspended for the weekend MLS game; the Whitecaps have nothing to lose by throwing both players to the Montreal wolves.
Teitur Thordarson has a history of taking the Voyageurs Cup seriously, even when he had no chance to win it. In 2008 and 2009, the Whitecaps relied heavily on first teamers and were rewarded with some big victories and, in 2009, very nearly a trophy. In 2010, the results were less good but so was the team. Even in the last match at BMO Field, with the Whitecaps eliminated and Toronto FC just waiting for the coronation, he played most of his key components like Jay Nolly and Martin Nash just to give the Toronto faithful a good show in the pouring rain. He's experimented in the Voyageurs Cup occasionally (Doudou Toure, come on down!) but for the most part he's stuck to his guns and put up an enviable record because of it.
The temptation has to be there to make a few moves, though. Some of the Whitecaps faithful have been agitating to see Joe Cannon start instead of Jay Nolly; this may be a good chance to try that. Players like Salinas and Mouloud Akloul are close to game shape and this might be an opportunity to see where they're at, to give them a chance to stretch their legs.
But no. Teitur should stick to his guns and put out the lineup most likely to win this game. It's not just about the CONCACAF Champions League, or the joy of beating Montreal on their own turf (although those are both very real considerations). It's the simple fact that the Vancouver Whitecaps might win a trophy. Toronto FC's won the last two Voyageurs Cups and, despite having suffered some pretty wrenching moments in the regular season since then, those two championships are Toronto's forever. It's something nobody can take away from them, something both players and supporters can look at with a little pride in their hearts.
Right now, the Whitecaps are losing games, drawing the ones they don't lose, fighting through injuries. The playoffs are currently beyond us; an MLS Cup is simply unthinkable. But the Voyageurs Cup is right here for the taking. Vancouver is closely matched to all three of these teams. If they win, they can boast a trophy that they've never won before during their first season in Major League Soccer. And then they can lick their hurts, dive into the CONCACAF Champions League, and try to be the next Real Salt Lake.
That's why you play your best players in this game and damn the Columbus Crew. Because this game matters, and Columbus really doesn't.