Eh! Bada Boom Badda Bing
It is "Italian Night" at Buck Shaw Stadium in San Jose tonight. The most exciting part of this evening might turn out to be the half time Pasta Eating Contest, but that remains to be seen.
The Whitecaps find their way to San Jose after a very entertaining game on Monday against F.A. Cup Champions Manchester City. The 'Caps played what would seem to be their starting line up in Monday's game, but they should still be fairly well rested. With the Real Salt Lake game having been postponed, most of the team will have played just 45 minutes of soccer in the last 11 days. Recently signed Designated Player Mustapha Jarju had a good showing against City and looked to link up well with Eric Hassli, and Camilo Sanvezzo. All eyes will be on him as he makes his regular season debut tonight. [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
San Jose feature several notable names including the always dangerous 2010 Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski and veteran Bobby Convey. "Wondo" is not quite tearing the league apart like he did last year, but he is still scoring at a very reasonable clip. Recent injuries on the team have forced Head Coach Frank Yallop to try some interesting things like putting Wondo in the midfield as an attacking winger and while it has not killed them, it really has not been to their benefit either. San Jose can not seem to find the other teams net lately, lucky for them goalkeeper Jon Busch has been playing very well, he has not allowed a goal in the last two games he's played, and has six shutouts on the year. While Convey made the All-Star team this year, he is listed as questionable heading in to this game, which could leave a spot open for Canadian International and former Toronto FC starter Nana Attakora to get some playing time with his new squad.
San Jose manager Frank Yallop has been fairly busy making transactions over the last little bit, having acquired Nana, Jacob Peterson, and Alan Gordon from Toronto FC in a desperate effort to turn their slump around.
Vancouver also have to turn their season around. As the All-Star Break approaches every game becomes more and more important. If ever there was an opportunity to take some away point, it is tonight. San Jose have gone scoreless in five of their last six games which bodes well for a defensive unit from the Blue and White, who have struggled to keep the ball out of their own net. They rank near bottom of the league in goals against and shutouts.
Current Interim Manager and Full Time Director of Soccer Operations Tom Soehn has been trying to change the attacking style of the club from the direct kick and chase style of former manager Teitur Thordason, to a more possession oriented game plan. So far there have only been glimpses of the squad's potential.
Look for Davide Chiumiento to return to the line up, and work his magic with Camilo, Hassli, and newcomer Mustapha Jarju. A well rested Joe Cannon is likely to get the start today having sat out the entirety of the Manchester City match. If San Jose's form continues he might get pretty bored watching the action. Jay DeMerit will likely remain on the sidelines for this match as he continues to rehab an abductor strain, this probably keeps the defensive back four consisting of Jordan Harvey, Michael Boxall, Alain Rochat, and Johnathan Leathers.
There is a fair bit of history between these two clubs, Joe Cannon is a San Jose Legend, Co-Owner Steve Nash attended Santa Clara, and things go back even further to the old NASL days but unless you remember watching Georgie Best match up with Peter Beardsley you don't care. This is about Cannon vs Wando, Busch vs Jarju.
After tonights match the Caps will have another 10 day gap between games after they return home to Vancouver and lie in wait for David Beckham and his hacked cell phone... I mean the LA Galaxy side show, that just got their asses handed to them by Real Madrid.
Vancouver Whitecaps at San Jose Earthquakes
Wednesday, July 19, 2011. 7:30 pm
Buck Shaw Stadium: Santa Clara California
Watch TSN
Listen Team 1040