Scouting report: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
CANADIAN HOMESTAND CONTINUES
After playing a man down for over 83 minutes in a controversial 3-3 draw with Toronto FC, D.C. United (6-6-9, 27 points) is set to face another Canadian side on Saturday as the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3-11-9, 18 points) visit RFK Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET/Comcast SportsNet). The match will mark the first meeting between the expansion Whitecaps FC and United.
The Black-and-Red were the beneficiaries of a career-day from Dwayne De Rosario in the draw with Toronto on August 6, as the veteran forward tallied United’s first hat trick since Luciano Emilio’s three-goal outing against the New York Red Bulls on June 14, 2008. United can make a major move in the Eastern Conference table by earning a win against Vancouver, but earning a full three points will be no easy task. Despite its record, Vancouver is a resiliant side that boasts some of the most physical players in MLS.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
United Head Coach Ben Olsen was dismissed on August 6 for protesting Toronto FC's second goal, so Assistant Coach Chad Ashton will step into the breach on Saturday to lead the Black-and-Red. Earlier this week we profiled the relationship between Ashton and Vancouver Head Coach Tom Soehn, and according to the former, Vancouver has considerable talent when healthy.
"The first thing is you can’t look at [Vancouver’s] record. A lot of their results have come when they’ve had players out of their lineup but, when [the Whitecaps] are healthy, they’re as good as any team in the League," said Ashton.
Vancouver has been lethal at times this season behind the play of Designated Player Eric Hassli. At 6'4" and 200 pounds, the 30-year-old Frenchman is an imposing force. In 16 MLS games this season (14 starts), Hassli has recorded 10 goals and one assist. Currently he is third in scoring in the race for Major League Soccer's Budweiser Golden Boot Award.
Said Ashton of the Vancouver forward, "If you look at [Vancouver’s] attacking crew up top, [Eric] Hassli is as dangerous as any forward in this League with ten goals in limited time. He scored arguably the best goal in MLS this year, which was up for an ESPY [award]. He is very dangerous and all the other players I mentioned are complimentary to him."
"Plus, when you consider their attack also includes Camilo [Sanvezzo], Davide Chiumiento and Shea Salinas it’s a very good attacking crew. [The Whitecaps] also have Gershon Koffie in the middle who’s a good, young holding midfielder with a great shot from distance."
Vancouver is coming off of a 4-2 thrashing of the Chicago Fire at Empire Field, and the team's attack seems to be very much in-sync heading into Saturday.
TALKING TACTICS
Though Vancouver has not won on the road in 2011, United will need to be wary of the club's counter attacking potential through Hassli and the speed of players like Salinas and Chiumiento. Ashton stresses awareness of the Whitecaps' formation and United's defensive shape as key markers for Saturday's contest.
"We have to be aware of [Vancouver’s] formation. They switch their formation from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1. Last week they did that by starting John Thorrington out wide and bringing Davide Chiumiento into the game in the second half. When [Vancouver] brings in Chiumiento they play more of a 4-2-3-1 where Camilo Sanvezzo plays underneath Hassli."
United playmakers Dwayne De Rosario, Josh Wolff, Chris Pontius and Andy Najar will play key roles in this match, as all four will be relied upon to expose the space left by Vancouver's counter attacks. These individuals, along with central midfielders like Clyde Simms and Stephen King, will need to maintain possession to prevent opposing chances.
Said Asthon, "The best way to shut [Vancouver] down is to play our own game and keep possession. If we can do that, it will limit a lot of their chances."
DEFENSIVE NOTES
While Vancouver's attack has found its form in recent weeks, the club continues to grapple with defensive stability. U.S. National Team salwart Jay DeMerit has struggled for fitness this season, and Whitecaps FC has missed his services. Thus far the central defender has only played in 10 MLS matches (9 starts) because of injury, but he did register 45 minutes of action in Vancouver's Reserve match with Seattle earlier in the week.
Alain Rochat has been the one constant on Vancouver's backline, as the Canadian-born fullback has started all 20 matches that he has played in for Whitecaps FC. Rochat is an attacking threat that has two goals to his name, and United will need to keep an eye on his forward jaunts.
"Alain Rochat, who wears their captain’s arm band, is a very good left back with experience in Switzerland. The main player [the Whitecaps] are missing is Jay DeMerit, who hasn’t played for them the past couple of weeks. [Vancouver] is a very good team when they’re healthy, so we has to be ready to play with character like we did last weekend."
Also of note, fromer D.C. United goalkeeper Jay Nolly has 13 starts for Vancouver in 2011, and he backstopped the Whitecaps to victory last weekend over Chicago. Nolly was with the Black-and-Red in 2007.
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