Sounders / Whitecaps Matchup Insight
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Records: SEA 7-2-1 (2-0-1 V), VANWH 5-3-2 (3-1-1 H)
Matchup
The Vancouver Whitecaps have been busy to say the least over the past three weeks, as they have dealt with a crowded fixtures list. There has been the usual Saturday match, followed by a mid-week Amway Canadian Championship game during that span resulting in a visibly tired squad.
Fortunately, the team has managed to cope admirably with the workload by shuffling players at every opportunity.
Few points have been dropped, with only the New England defeat standing out as a major dropped chance.
Now, the first visit by Pacific Northwest rival Seattle takes place. The Sounders have been very strong on the road this year and are yet to lose, while the ‘Caps are very hard to beat at home, losing just once this year.
This will be a good one folks.
Seattle Sounders
The Sounders are third in the Western Conference, five points up on the Whitecaps and feature the stingiest defence in the league with just four goals allowed. However, they did lose their last time out going down 1-0 to Real Salt Lake.
Rest assured the Southsiders will be out in full force...
Seattle is also in the midst of a small but significant injury crisis at this time with players such as Josh Ford and Steve Zakuani missing the trip north.
However, dangerous frontman Fredy Montero will be the one to watch as always as his quick feet can turn any half-chance into a goal.
He is ably supported from midfield by Estrada.
Vancouver
With Eric Hassli in his best form of the season, highlighted by two spectacular goals in the past two weeks, Vancouver can feel confident striding into this game. Fellow French forward Sebastien Le Toux will also go out feeling he has something to prove, considering his past playing experience in Seattle.
Not to be left out, the Jay DeMerit inspired defence will be eager to prove their equal or better to the vaunted Seattle back line.
If there is something to break the deadlock between the highly placed Seattle and Vancouver teams, it could be Vancouver’s slightly better depth at the moment, considering the Sounders’ present injury list.
Vancouver is the healthiest the team has been all year.
Rest assured the Southsiders will be out in full force to try to sing louder than the travelling Sounders contingent.
Predictions
This game ought to prove a beauty, and with two tired squads, there could be a number of mistakes out on the pitch at BC Place leading to chances. The first Cascadia Cup fixture leaves even more pride at stake for the participants.
Expect a 1-1 draw for two teams that are quite evenly matched.
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