Photo courtesy of Whitecapsfc.com
by Graham Tooke, @chelskitooke
Saturday night sees the Whitecaps return to BC Place after traversing snowy Edmonton on Wednesday. There was no game to be played as the snow fell quickly and heavily Wednesday morning with officials deeming conditions unsafe. The match has been rescheduled for Wednesday May 20th. Next up are Eastern Conference whipping boys Philadelphia Union.
While we have always been able to make light of the plight in Toronto in seasons past, now it’s the Union’s turn. The comical goalkeeping situation has given us a few good laughs and now the team is falling to bits after a promising run when Jim Curtin was first instilled as manager.
They find themselves languishing in 9th place in the east trailed only by the Montreal Impact who has played six games less. Their only win this season was a 2-1 home win over expansion side New York City FC. Now on a four game winless streak it’s hard to see where the wins will come from with the lengthy journey to Vancouver followed by meetings with DC United either side of a trip to Red Bull Arena.
Rais Mbolhi has been made to train on his own until his time in Philadelphia is up.
The player acquisition process in Philly is proving messy most notably the recent dealings with expensive goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi. The Algerian’s arrival meant that Zach MacMath had to be sent to Colorado on a season long loan in search of regular first team football.
However things have turned sour and Mbolhi appears to be on his way out of the door with local lad John McCarthy deputizing in his place. But with McCarthy on the treatment table alongside Andre Blake the Union have made a surprisingly turn to former Whitecaps Residency prospect Brian Sylvestre. The 22 year old American shot stopper has been brought in on a short term loan from NASL side Carolina Railhawks.
Even with all the focus on goalkeeping, Jim Curtin can at least rely on Fernando Aristeguieta to trouble the ‘Caps backline. The Argentine poacher has looked sharp all season even if his teammates haven’t picked up the slack. He had a goal pulled back against Toronto at the weekend for offside after getting on the end of Maidana’s free kick.
They have a strong core minus a goalkeeper. But they desperately need more from bit part players like Wenger and Le Toux who have so far failed to produce. Their star man Maurice Edu has had to deal with being thrust between playing in defense and midfield. And with Michael Lahoud leaving the TFC match early Edu will likely be shuffled around again as the team screams out for some sort of stability.
Vancouver have absolutely no worries in goal, David Ousted has been immense. His back four have been solid but there’s plenty of room for improvement. Steven Beitashour missed out on the 0-0 tie with Portland and looks likely to miss out again as his return from injury prolongs. South African fullback Sampson put in a very good shift at Providence Park, so Carl Robinson should have no problem throwing the youngster back into the line of fire.
Ethen Sampson will likely retain his spot at right back as Steven Beitashour recovers.
Those on the outside like Hurtado, Earnshaw and Mezquida might have to wait for the Voyageurs Cup semi-final with Edmonton on Wednesday before they see any action.
Matias Laba will be back from his one game suspension, slotting in alongside Russell Teibert hoping to be harder to break down than last season when the two teams played out a thrilling but stressful 3-3 tie at PPL Park. Pedro Morales should be flanked by Rosales and Mattocks as providers for Rivero to beat Sylvestre.
4 PM, TSN1 and TSN 1410
Probable Lineups
Vancouver Whitecaps: Ousted; Sampson, Kah, Waston, Adekugbe; Laba, Teibert; Rosales, Morales, Mattocks; Rivero
Philadelphia Union: Sylvestre; Gaddis, White, Marquez, Williams; Pfeffer, Edu; Le Toux, Maidana, Wenger; Aristigueta
