Game 30 Whitecaps/ Colorado Rapids Game Intro
The last bastion of Vancouver’s play, as their once very promising season slips gradually away, has been a tendency to play well at home in front of their Whitecaps fans.
| 7:30 PM ET | Record |
| COL | 9-18-2 (2-13-0 V) |
| VANWH | 10-12-7 (7-2-4 H) |
The `Caps have won only three times on their travels in 2012, as opposed to taking seven wins within the confines of BC Place. If the team is to somehow hold on to their playoff destiny, then that strong home record must hold true with an end to the current five game winless streak.
The sole previous encounter between the two sides saw the Whitecaps edge the Rapids 1-0 on a tally by rookie Darren Mattocks.
Colorado Rapids
The Denver based team has never really been able to get untracked this year, performing at an underachieving level all season long. Burly forward Conor Casey leads the line for the Rapids, but his health has been inconsistent for extended periods.
When he is on, the American striker displays impressive strength, allayed with keen positioning, to unsettle defences.
This year though, Casey`s absence has disrupted the team`s game planning and there is no adequate replacement for him. Recurring knee soreness may prevent the player`s strength playing a factor in tonight`s match-up.
Colorado is also a poor road team and nine losses in a road have established a new team record low for a dubious accomplishment.
Vancouver Whitecaps
Coach Martin Rennie`s decision making has been questionable of late and he needs to turn this ship around immediately, lest he undo all the hard work of the first half of the year.
Scottish imports Kenny Miller and Barry Robson have provided a poor return on their investment recently
Last week`s encounter with FC Dallas started out well enough, but the second half was disastrous, particularly for the defence which looked comically hapless in the final twenty minutes with scrambled, panicked play as the Whitecaps just hacked away at the ball in a desperate effort to clear their lines.
Rennie has not been able recently to utilize his subs to re-energize the team when the game plan goes south.
A shockingly poor miss by defensive midfielder John Thorrington on a late breakaway had also resulted in the team`s one real lone chance to steal the points slipping away before the late Dallas barrage.
Scottish imports Kenny Miller and Barry Robson have provided a poor return on their investment recently, making the trade of all action Frenchman Sebastien Le Toux look like an increasingly big mistake.
Leadership from these two experienced vets is crucial tonight for the Whitecaps to seize three points that are there for the taking.
Miller and his quicksilver young Jamaican strike partner Darren Mattocks need to find some chemistry fast in order to notch some much needed goals.
Predictions
The Whitecaps have no choice but to win this match in order to send a signal to their fans that there is life in this team yet.
Vancouver will produce a 2-0 win.
Video
Whitecaps FC striker Darren Mattocks comments after training
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