by Graham Tooke, @chelskitooke
Red Bulls Recap
This week the Vancouver Whitecaps head to Gillette Stadium on the back of a pair of wins over the leagues poster-boys; LA galaxy and New York Red Bulls. Having begun their journey away from home with defeat in Montreal the club has rebounded with improbable wins over sides you would have forgiven them for losing to.
Kekuta Manneh opened the scoring in the 15th minute after tucking away Steven Beitashour’s impeccable cross only minutes after Red Bulls playmaker, Sacha Kljestan, was dismissed for lashing out at the Whitecaps Kendall Waston. But even earlier David Ousted stopped last year’s top scorer, Bradley Wright-Phillips, from the penalty spot after a clumsy challenge from Beitashour.
Ousted was in supreme form in thwarting the Red Bulls twice from the penalty spot
The extra man did wonders for the Whitecaps as they controlled possession for the rest of the half but couldn’t double their lead. The second half saw a resurgent Red Bulls have a go at the Whitecaps and in the 65th minute they were gifted a second penalty kick. Incredibly Ousted saved his second Wright-Phillips penalty of the night.
Robinson brought on youngsters Deybi Flores and Kianz Froese to provide an impetus as the ‘Caps chased a second to close out the game. And it was the latter that latched onto Rivero’s through ball and coolly finished past Robles for his first MLS goal.
Cameroonian striker Abang snatched one back late on for the Red Bulls and despite a late surge couldn’t find a way past the dependable Ousted.
The Danes performance was more than enough to get him into the MLS Team of the Week.
Revs Matchup
Jay Heaps has some work to do and will be expecting a reaction from their 2-1 loss to Columbus Crew Wednesday evening. The Revs are now on an unwanted record of only one win in their last nine. Their lone victory came at home to Eastern strugglers Chicago Fire two weeks ago.
Their attack has been near unstoppable so far this season and that without Lee Nguyen anywhere near his MVP chasing standards from last season. Agudelo returned from his unsuccessful stint in Europe and has been ever present playing down the left. He should start against the Whitecaps having been substituted at half time against the Crew.
Teal Bunbury was handed the start up top and will likely be replaced by Charlie Davies having played the entire 90 on Wednesday.
Fagundez and Davies appeared from the bench in Wednesdays loss to the Crew
Former Whitecaps midfielder, Daigo Kobayashi, was handed a rare start along with goalscorer Lee Nguyen who pegged in only the first minute of their loss. The pair should see minutes Saturday, especially Kobayashi with Andy Dorman suspended for yellow card accumulation and star midfielder Jermaine Jones missing through injury.
The DP’s injury has coincided with the Revs conceding at an alarming rate.
However, it may be the Whitecaps who have to worry about conceding with Kendall Waston and Gershon Koffie suspended. I would go with Parker as the ready and dependable replacement for Waston as it’s unknown just how fit Rodriguez is and Christian Dean hasn’t quite lived up to the standards expected.
Pedro Morales is also questionable with a slight niggle that kept him out Saturday.
Up front Octavio Rivero may be relieved of his duties with Darren Mattocks returning from the recent Copa America with Jamaica. It might be a smart decision to take the Uruguayan out of the firing line seeing as he hasn’t hit the back of the net in his last six. It’s a good time for a rest with a busy summer ahead. Although he did add back-to-back assists in the last two matches.
With Kekuta Manneh getting back among the goals Carl Robinson should have enough firepower to at least keep Shuttleworth busy as the ‘Caps shuffled backline deals with what New England has to offer.
4:30 PM, TSN2 and TSN 1040
Probable Lineups
New England Revolution: Shuttleworth; Woodberry, Farrell, Goncalves, Alston; Caldwell, Kobayashi; Fagundez, Nguyen, Agudelo; Davies
Vancouver Whitecaps: Ousted; Beitashour, Parker, Kah, Harvey; Laba, Teibert; Techera, Morales, Manneh; Mattocks
