Two of the highest three groups in Main League Soccer’s Western Convention will go at it Saturday night time in Vancouver—a six-pointer that simply occurs to be a Cascadia Cup contest as effectively.
BY
Brooke Tunstall
Posted
Could 16, 2015
8:30 AM
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SINCE MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER’S enlargement into the Pacific Northwest has introduced us the depth of the Cascadia Cup rivalries, these video games usually had extra to do with regional bragging rights than precise locations atop the standings.
Hardly ever since Portland and Vancouver joined Seattle in 2011 have two of the groups been in competition on the identical time. However that seems to be altering this yr, which is why the Sounders’ go to to the Whitecaps (Saturday, 7pm ET, MLS DirectKick) is our alternative for MLS Sport of the Week.
Seattle’s standing as a contender is predicted. The Sounders (5-3-1, 16 factors, third place within the Western Convention) received the Supporters’ Defend and U.S. Open Cup a yr in the past and began this season anticipated to contend for MLS Cup.
However Vancouver’s place among the many leaders has caught many without warning. The Whitecaps (6-3-2, 20 factors, tied with Dallas for first) completed fifth within the West a yr in the past and with the convention now stocked with current MLS Cup contributors Houston and Kansas Metropolis, to not point out the reigning champion Los Angeles Galaxy, it wasn’t anticipated to maneuver a lot additional up the standings.
The mix of Chilean playmaker Pedro Morales (two targets, 4 assists) and offseason acquisition Octavio Rivero (six targets) has made the Whitecaps one of many extra dynamic and environment friendly groups in MLS and can present ample check for a Sounders backline that has regarded stout some weeks and leaky in others—reminiscent of final week when the crew fell to the Columbus Crew 3-2.
THE SUBPLOTS
Whereas the Whitecaps have 4 extra factors than Seattle, Sigi Schmid’s crew has a pair of video games in hand and can have an opportunity to make up floor. So the onus is on Vancouver to get three factors on this one, particularly since this recreation is being performed in British Columbia.
The Whitecaps additionally want to point out it will probably beat crew. To Vancouver’s credit score, it has taken the following step that groups should make on the trail to turning into a contender—beating groups it’s speculated to beat. However victories over the likes of Orlando, Chicago, and Philadelphia solely takes crew to this point.
Two weeks in the past Vancouver misplaced at house to D.C. United, at the moment sporting one of the best report in MLS. Whereas the Canadian facet does have a win over the Galaxy in 2015, beating the Sounders would ship a sign that it’s a legit contender within the crowded West.
For the Sounders, a loss would put it seven factors again, one thing it’s clearly trying to keep away from.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Any match with this many scoring threats places the eye on them. Morales and Rivero will look to check Seattle’s middle again combo of Chad Marshall and Brad Evans. At occasions, reminiscent of a six-game stretch earlier this season when it solely allowed three targets, the Sounders’ protection has regarded elite. However video games just like the one towards the Crew and earlier this yr towards San Jose have value the Sounders factors within the standings. How this matchup goes will go a great distance in deciding a winner.
The Whitecaps protection has posted 5 shutouts to this point this season but it surely hasn’t confronted a scoring combo just like the Sounders’ duo of Clint Dempsey (seven targets, 4 assists) and Obafemi Martins (six and two), who’re the 2 of the highest three scorers in MLS. The one reprieve for Vancouver is Martins might not play due to a bone bruise in his leg and if he does see the sector he is probably not at his finest.
THE X-FACTOR
When he’s wholesome and utterly in-form, the Sounders’ pitbull midfielder Osvaldo Alonso remains to be probably the greatest at his place in MLS. The previous Cuban nationwide teamer missed the primary a part of the season recovering from surgical procedure however since returning six video games in the past he had helped elevate the Sounders on each side of the sector.
Alonso is able to dominating the midfield and neutralizing Whitecaps playmaker Morales, making it simpler for the Sounders to starve Rivero of service.
PREDICTION
Vancouver is far improved during the last yr and taking part in at house. Nevertheless it’s onerous to think about the Sounders laying stinkers in consecutive weeks so, 2-1 to the guests.
