For the third time in a month, Montreal and Vancouver face-off on a soccer pitch, this time at Stade Saputo. The locals, trailing 2-1 on aggregate in this home-and-away series, need to win either with a clean sheet or by two goals to progress to the Canadian Championship final. Here are 10 things on the British Columbia representatives.
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. Since their visit at Stade Saputo on April 29, the ‘Caps have won two of their three games, both with clean sheets.
Current form (MLS & Canadian Championship)
W-W-L-W-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 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>21st (43)</p> |
<p>19th (12)</p> |
<p>=3rd (3)</p> |
<p>=4th (5)</p> |
<strong>Possession (%)</strong> |
<strong>Big chance conversion (%)</strong> |
<strong>Successful passes in attacking third (%)</strong> |
<strong>Duels won (%)</strong> |
<p>20th (43.9%)</p> |
<p>19th (40%)</p> |
<p>21st (58.6%)</p> |
<p>6th (51.5%)</p> |
*Source for all data is Opta
Tactical formation
Even though he aligned a three-man defence last week against the Impact, Carl Robinson does not waver with his tactics in MLS: it’s a stable 4-1-4-1. It used to work for the 'Caps, before they lost 1-0 at home against D.C. United. Lineup against D.C. United (May 27): Ousted; Williams, Waston, Parker, Harvey; Jacobson; Techera, Tchani, Bolaños; Montero.
Most recent games against the Impact
An unassured first half for the Impact allowed the Whitecaps to forge themselves a two-goal lead thanks to Davies and Mezquida, but the Bleu-blanc-noir came back strongly in the tie, scoring an away goal which could weigh in the balance and send Montreal to the final in case of a 1-0 win at Stade Saputo.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of April 26)
D Brett Levis (knee – has returned to light training)
D Christian Dean (foot)
D David Edgar (knee)
M Yordy Reyna (foot)
M Tony Tchani (head - collided with the goal post on Saturday)
F Bernie Ibini (knee)
F Erik Hurtado (foot)
F Brek Shea (head - collided with Bill Hamid on Saturday)
Next games
Vancouver Whitecaps FC v Atlanta United FC (MLS, June 3)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC v FC Dallas (MLS, June 17)
Minnesota United FC v Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS, June 24)
