Christian Dean is in line for more minutes due to Jordan Harvey’s suspension
by Graham Tooke, @chelskitooke
Timbers Recap
The Whitecaps seem set on racking up the points on the road rather than at home as Matias Laba scored a cracker to salvage a point at Providence Park last week. Carl Robinson continued to make do without Pedro Morales to injury but Mauro Rosales has stepped up to the mantle and looks more than the part in behind Rivero.
Kendall Waston got a late call up to the Gold Cup for Costa Rica meaning neither regular starting centre backs was available. Diego Rodriguez is still struggling to make his presence felt with the first team as he features more often for Alan Koch’s WFC2. That allowed Christian Dean to make his first start alongside fellow SuperDraft pick Tim Parker. Despite a few lapses at the start the two eventually figured things out and helped their side towards a valuable point in Portland.
Diego Valeri got the Timbers on the scoresheet in the first half when Dean’s quick freekick was swiftly intercepted by Diego Chara. The Colombian fed the Argentine to fire low at Ousted’s near post. It was very much against the run of play as the Whitecaps had the majority of opportunities to go ahead.
Laba came to their rescue in the second half smashing a well-placed shot past Kwarasey. It was his first in MLS for Vancouver but his second of the year as he had nicked a late goal against FC Edmonton in the Voyageurs Cup semi-final.
Portland commanded the second half but couldn’t find their way through Dean and Parker. The match ended in ugly circumstances when Jordan Harvey was sent off for a tackle from behind on Chara. The handbags were thrown at the end as Juan Guzman received a barrage of abuse from Portland captain Will Johnson who was also shown red.
The tightness of the West is really being felt now with that draw leaving the Whitecaps in third place on 33 points. FC Dallas is out ahead on 35 points with a game in hand showing resurgence since the return of Mauro Diaz to their midfield.
Tomorrows opponents are slightly off the pace in 8th on 25 points from 19 played. A couple of wins can do wonders for any side in this conference.
Quakes Matchup
For those of you that tuned into the depressing 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying draw this morning that has pretty much ended all hopes of Canada qualifying for the tournament, have no fear the Vancouver Whitecaps can surely cheer you up as they tackle fellow Westerners San Jose Earthquakes at BC Place, Sunday afternoon.
The home side will be without the suspended duo of Jordan Harvey and Cristian Techera. Harvey received his marching orders late on against the Timbers last week while Techera was retrospectively punished for raking Diego Chara’s Achilles that ultimately set off the melee at the final whistle.
They can however, welcome back Kendall Waston from his quick stop to the Gold Cup where he had to endure watching Costa Rica crash out of the competition in unfortunate circumstances.
With the big man ready to slot back into the centre of defense that could mean an appearance on the left for Christian Dean who made his first start of the season against the Timbers last week barely putting a foot wrong.
Carl Robinson announced this week at training that Pedro Morales is finally nearing full fitness and is in line for a place in the match day squad. The Chilean could make his first appearance for the club since their 1-0 win away to LA Galaxy at the beginning of June.
Both sides have holes up front aswell, San Jose have to make do without Chris Wondolowski who started Saturday’s third place playoff with Panama and Vancouver without the prowess of Darren Mattocks who headed his side towards the Gold Cup final with Mexico, Sunday. Undoubtedly the absence of Wondo will be felt for Dominic Kinnear’s side with newcomer Amarikwa being thrust into a starting spot since his switch from Chicago. Tommy Thompson is the only other natural forward healthy in their squad at the moment so goals may be at premium with a lot of pressure on Matias Perez Garcia to deliver the telling blows.
The Quakes will be desperate to get back on track having lost their last three with a heavy 5-2 defeat to LA Galaxy exposing the gaps in their current system and the lack of familiar striker as Amarikwa works towards gelling with his new club.
4 PM, TSN2 and TSN1410
Probable Lineups
Vancouver Whitecaps: Ousted; Beitashour, Parker, Waston, Dean; Laba, Koffie; Mezquida, Rosales, Manneh; Rivero
San Jose Earthquakes: Bingham; Wynne, Bernardez, Goodson, Stewart; Perez Garcia, Alashe, Thompson; Nyassi, Amarikwa, Salinas
