by Graham Tooke, @chelskitooke
Knowing you’re already up to date with both clubs having read last week’s preview of the Voyageurs Cup semi-final between FC Edmonton and Vancouver Whitecaps that was ultimately postponed, then all I need to do is drop this link below. But maybe you didn’t so here’s what happened this past weekend for both sides.
Whitecaps match in Edmonton postponed
Goals haven’t been a problem for Colin Miller and his Eddies, but they have also been leaking at an alarming rate, something you wouldn’t usually attribute to Colin Miller’s steadfast defensive approach in past seasons.
On Sunday they suffered their second defeat of the season 4-2 to the New York Cosmos and already find themselves slipping well behind the league leaders. Eddies forward Tomi Ameobi grabbed his league leading third goal of the season in the 17th minute to tie things up early, but it wasn’t enough as the Cosmos led 3-1 at halftime and sealed the deal in the 49th minute through Lucky Mkosana.
They’re now falling off the pace in the NASL standings with five points through their first five and their goal difference of -3 is only offset by the 9 goals they’ve scored this season.
FC Edmonton keeper VanOekel would love his first clean sheet to come at BC Place.
Colin Miller needs a performance from the newest goalkeeping addition Matt VanOekel formerly of Minnesota United who has yet to keep a clean sheet this season. The pressure on him has been turned up with the return of John Smits from his loan spell with Montreal Impact.
It’s hard to tell if Colin Miller plans to rest any starters for the midweek match, but we do know his counterpart Carl Robinson has every plan to replace much of the eleven who started in the 3-0 scalp of Philadelphia Union.
The win thrust the Whitecaps back to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings tied on points with FC Dallas with Eastern sides New England Revolution and DC United two points behind.
It’s unlikely Robinson will make use of the goal scoring exploits of Octavio Rivero instead paving the way for another who is striding into form. Darren Mattocks showed off some neat footwork and speed to get around Maurice Edu and slam past Brian Sylvestre after substituting the Uruguayan for the final 20 minutes. He now has three for the season despite playing second fiddle to Rivero, so a start against FC Edmonton should definitely be on the cards.
At right back Ethen Sampson would have been a shoe-in prior to this weekend as Carl Robinson turned towards a different proposition allowing Tim Parker his MLS debut. Having been a regular at centre back for WFC2 it was a surprise to see the burly defender supersede Sampson at full back. It should be known that Parker is actually one of the quickest players on the squad, if not the quickest, so he has all the attributes to succeed out there.
Sam Adekugbe will be happy to get back in the lineup against the Eddies.
Jordan Harvey has returned to the fold in the past couple of weeks and will be rested Wednesday as Sam Adekugbe continues his development towards a regular starting spot.
Even Cristian Techera may see time to terrorize the Eddies backline much like he did against the Union replacing Rosales early in the match.
There will be lots of changes Wednesday evening at BC Place but those on the fringe will be given an opportunity to impress and push for a place in the lineup for the league leaders. The regular starters will succumb to injury and fatigue at various points of the season so these are the opportunities the subs have to make the most of.
7 PM, SN One/World and TSN 1410
Probable Lineups
Vancouver Whitecaps: Tornaghi; Sampson, Parker, Dean, Adekugbe; Flores, Koffie; Hurtado, Mezquida, Mattocks; Earnshaw
FC Edmonton: VanOekel; Edward, Roberts, Nonni, Moses; Raudales; Nyassi, Jones, Granitto, Laing; Ameobi
