There are plenty of interesting angles going into <a href="http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2011/04/whitecaps-fc-wrap-home-stand-versus-fc-dallas-saturday">today's Vancouver Whitecaps - FC Dallas match</a> (4 p.m. Pacific, Sportsnet Pacific/Team 1410), but the most notable might not have anything to do with the opponent. As Marc Weber points out in <a href="http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Whitecaps+face+2010+league+Ferreira+Empire+Field+match+Dallas/4665569/story.html">his preview</a>, despite all the high drama and inspiring comebacks they've created, the Whitecaps haven't actually won a game since opening day against Toronto FC. A 1-2-3 record certainly isn't bad for an expansion team, and Vancouver remains undefeated at home (1-0-3), but they're going to need to start converting opportunities into wins at some point. Playing at home, coming off a full week of rest, receiving some players back from injuries and getting set to play seven matches in three weeks, this could be one of the Whitecaps' best chances to pick up three points for quite a while.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
It also helps that they're facing a side that hasn't exactly lit MLS on fire this year. Yes, Dallas went all the way to the MLS Cup final last season, but they're 1-3-1 on the year and eighth of nine teams in <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">the Western Conference standings</a>. They also <a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/soccer/Familiarity+breeds+respect/4663998/story.html">lost 3-2 to Portland last weekend</a>, so they're not in superb form at the moment. That 3-2 scoreline may have even been undeservedly close, as Dallas started extremely slowly and trailed 3-0 <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-preview/hungry-whitecaps-square-against-mercurial-fcd">as late as the 83rd minute</a>. Dallas is a capable team with plenty of talent, including reigning MLS MVP David Ferreira, but they haven't quite pulled it all together so far this year. That could lead to substantial opportunities for Vancouver, especially if they come out strong from the opening whistle.
On the Whitecaps front, there are still plenty of notable injuries. The MLS <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-preview/hungry-whitecaps-square-against-mercurial-fcd">injury report</a> has midfielder Michael Nanchoff listed definitely out, and central defenders Jay DeMerit and Greg Janicki both still classified as doubtful. Forward Atiba Harris and winger Russell Teibert also fall into the doubtful category, so (with DeMerit and Janicki), those are four potential starters who aren't likely available. Midfielders John Thorrington and Shea Salinas are also doubtful, so Vancouver doesn't have a huge amount of depth available in the middle of the park; their midfield hasn't been the best unit lately either, and it <a href="http://www.rednationonline.ca/TheWhitecapsmaturityandimmaturityondisplay.aspx">particularly struggled</a> against Chivas, as Even Pellerud pointed out over at <I>Red Nation Online</i>.
What could we see as a starting lineup? Well, presuming the "doubtful" players aren't able to start (not necessarily a sure thing), I'd stick with the back lineup from the Chivas clash; Jay Nolly in goal, Jonathan Leathers and Blake Wagner at the wingback slots, Michael Boxall and Alain Rochat in the middle. Mouloud Akloul could slide in to the middle, allowing Rochat to move over to Wagner's wing spot (where he may be best), but I'm not sure Akloul is fully match-fit yet. In the middle of the park, I like what Wes Knight and Davide Chiumiento provided on the wings last match, even if the finishing wasn't quite there; Nizar Khalfan also remains an option. Centrally, I'd substitute Terry Dunfield (available for the first time in several weeks) in for Kevin Harmse and pair him with Jeb Brovsky. With Harris out, the strikers look to be Camilo and Eric Hassli, not a bad pairing; Omar Salgado should also be available off the bench. That's a pretty decent potential lineup despite all the injuries, with the biggest concerns in central defence and central midfield. We'll see if whichever players the Whitecaps do decide to start are able to pick up a long-awaited three-point result today.