After riding a roller coaster of emotions last Saturday in Philadelphia, the Bleu-blanc-noir returns to the (relative) peace of its Stade Saputo home, this Saturday, to take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 3pm, a game presented by BMO (TVA Sports, CTV, TSN 2, 98,5FM & TSN Radio 690). Here are 10 things to know on the Western Canada rivals.
Context
Whitecaps FC players started the season with CONCACAF Champions League on their minds. After knocking out the New York Red Bulls in the quarters, Vancouver held its own for a long time against Tigres in Mexico, but a 4-1 aggregate loss ended its run. In MLS, meanwhile, the ‘Caps are picking up a point per game on average and have lost every one of their away matches. The silver lining is that the striker problem seems to be gone: Fredy Montero is back in MLS, and with four goals and an assist in seven games for Vancouver, his return can thus far be called a success.
Current form (MLS & CONCACAF Champions League)
D-W-L-L-W-L
Head coach
Carl Robinson (40-40-29 all-time as Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach) has been head coach of Whitecaps FC since December 16, 2013. After a long playing career in England, from 1995 to 2007, Robinson crossed the pond to join MLS, first at Toronto FC and later at the New York Red Bulls. A midfielder with 52 caps with the Wales national team, Robinson made headlines with two club MVP awards in Toronto as he won a Canadian Championship with the team. After his retirement, Robinson joined Vancouver in January 2012 as an assistant. Following Martin Rennie’s dismissal, Robinson got the job as head coach. He has so far led the ‘Caps to one Canadian Championship in 2015 and to two Cascadia Cups (awarded to the team with the best MLS record between Vancouver, Seattle and Portland).
Current top scorer
Fredy Montero (4)
Players to watch
1. Matías Laba (#15) – Laba covers a lot of ground, provides protection in front of the back four and enjoys a duel or two.
2. Cristian Techera (#13) – Useful on the left or right wing, Techera likes to challenge his marker and provides good service on set plays.
3. Alphonso Davies (#67) – Vancouver’s new sensation isn’t a regular starter just yet, but his fearless play delights the ‘Caps supporters when he does play.
Team profile
Perhaps this is what happens when CCL pits you against two teams that love playing with the ball, but Whitecaps FC has thus far mostly tried to take advantage of disorganization in opposition defences. Carl Robinson’s group includes fast wide players, which helps when such a strategy is implemented. However, they’ve had to play with 10 men twice already; it is normal to sit back in those circumstances. Still, opponents have managed to score on the ‘Caps even when their block is well-organized. Defending low crosses looks like an issue. Their left side as a whole is also a cause for concern – which is probably the result of losing Brek Shea to injury. The ‘Caps struggle to generate clear-cut chances from the left, while their opponents exploit that flank wisely. At least, Vancouver can look at their play in the air and see that it’s been quite efficient.
In 2016:
<strong>Shots on target*</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored from inside the penalty area</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored from outside the penalty area</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored on headers</strong> |
<p>3rd (168)</p> |
<p>12th (40)</p> |
<p>13th (5)</p> |
<p>6th (8)</p> |
<strong>Possession (%)</strong> |
<strong>Big chance conversion (%)</strong> |
<strong>Successful passes in attacking third (%)</strong> |
<strong>Duels won (%)</strong> |
<p>16th (46.6%)</p> |
<p>13th (46.8%)</p> |
<p>18th (61.3%)</p> |
<p>15th (48.7%)</p> |
*Source for all data is Opta
In 2017:
<strong>Shots on target*</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored from inside the penalty area</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored from outside the penalty area</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored on headers</strong> |
<p>19th (24)</p> |
<p>15th (7)</p> |
<p>2nd (2)</p> |
<p>3rd (3)</p> |
<strong>Possession (%)</strong> |
<strong>Big chance conversion (%)</strong> |
<strong>Successful passes in attacking third (%)</strong> |
<strong>Duels won (%)</strong> |
<p>21st (41.3%)</p> |
<p>2nd (75%)</p> |
<p>20th (58.6%)</p> |
<p>13th (50.7%)</p> |
*Source for all data is Opta
Tactical formation
After an experiment with a back three in Salt Lake City, Carl Robinson returned to 4-2-3-1 for the two Cascadia Cup games. Lineup v. Portland (April 22): Ousted; Williams, Waston, Parker, Harvey; Laba, Jacobson; Techera, Tchani, Bolaños; Montero.
Most recent games against the Impact
They were just magnificent. On the Impact’s last visit to Vancouver, on March 6, 2016, Nacho Piatti and Dominic Oduro can’t do anything wrong. Not only does Piatti score two sensational goals, but he feeds Oduro for his own tally – Oduro would return the favour late in the game. The Bleu-blanc-noir wins 3-2 and starts its 2016 season in the best of ways.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of April 26)
D Brett Levis (knee – has returned to light training)
D David Edgar (knee)
M Yordy Reyna (foot)
M Brek Shea (knee – has returned to light training)
A Erik Hurtado (foot)
Next games
Colorado Rapids v Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS, May 5)
Houston Dynamo v Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS, May 12)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC v Sporting Kansas City (MLS, May 20)
