Vancouver Whitecaps vs Colorado Rapids Preview by Chris Brown
For the third time in 2016 the Whitecaps take on the Colorado Rapids. In July the two Western Conference teams met at BC Place where a last minute Axel Sjoberg goal saw Colorado level the match at two goals a piece. The second fixture took place at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on August 6th and Colorado cruised to an easy 2-0 win behind goals from Marlon Hairston and Dominique Badji.
Both sides come into Saturday’s match below peak form. Finding the back of the net has been the main issue for each team, especially Vancouver as the 2016 MLS season enters the home stretch.
These two teams have met twice in 2016 with the two teams drawing in Vancouver and the Rapids winning in Colorado. (Photo Credit: Corbin Elliott)
The Whitecaps have been held scoreless seven of their last nine games in Major League Soccer, a stretch that has been the low point in a disappointing season for the Canadian side.
Colorado hasn’t faired much better over recent months, falling back into 2015’s form which saw Colorado finish dead last in the Western Conference. In 2015 Colorado played with a stout defense and didn’t give up a lot of goals, but failed to score many as well. The Rapids bright start to 2016 has lost a lot of its luster as the second half of 2016 has seen a lot of low scoring draws and a failure to covert scoring opportunities into goals.
Scoring goals in this game may be just as difficult for the Rapids as Pablo Mastroeni will have decide on a starting lineup without Jermaine Jones and Kevin Doyle. Jones has missed most of the season with a quad injury while Kevin Doyle is out with an ankle injury. Colorado played without Doyle in their last match, a scoreless draw against San Jose, and though Colorado created several exceptional opportunities to score, they were unable to capitalize on those chances.
Dominique Badji started the match against the Earthquakes and had three one on one chances against San Jose keeper David Bingham, but seemed to freeze up at the crucial moment. Badji has terrific speed and makes intelligent runs, but doesn’t have the finishing ability, passing ability or the intensity that Kevin Doyle offers.
The Rapids will be without designated player Kevin Doyle as the striker recovers from an ankle injury. (Photo Credit: Corbin Elliott)
The Whitecaps have had a little more luck with injuries but are still missing a key player. Forward Kekuta Manneh remains sidelined following a foot injury and surgery for Carl Robinson’s side. Manneh picked up the foot injury against Colorado in July and his absence has been felt. The 21 year old striker, one of the fastest players in MLS, was recently named one of the top 5 best players under the age of 24 in Major League Soccer’s annual 24 under 24 series. Losing Manneh has been a major blow to the Whitecaps playoff hopes in 2016. The only other notable scratch for the Whitecaps is defender Christian Dean who is out with a meniscus tear.
There is a lot on the line for both teams as the 2016 season edges closer to the playoffs.
Vancouver is currently out of the playoff picture as they sit in eighth place in the West, six points behind Portland Timbers who currently hold the last playoff spot. While it’s unlikely that the Whitecaps will make the playoffs this year they haven’t been mathematically eliminated yet and a win at home will keep their hopes alive for a least a few weeks longer.
Colorado celebrates after Marlon Hairston opened the scoring in the Rapids 2-0 victory over the Whitecaps on August 6th. (Photo Credit: Corbin Elliott)
Colorado desperately need to start generating some momentum and finding a way to score goals as the playoffs loom. A win on Saturday would see Colorado break the 50 point barrier for only the second time in the franchise’s history. In 2013 the Rapids finished on 51 points, a mark this years Rapids could obliterate, but a return to early season form will be vital as the season heads into October.
Look for a low scoring encounter on Saturday where one goal may decide the winner. An early goal from either side would go a long way into opening up the game and neutral supporters will hope that’s the case. There have been at least two goals in each of the first two meetings between the Rapids and Whitecaps this season, let’s hope for something similar this Saturday at BC Place.
