San Jose Earthquakes vs Whitecaps FC Match Preview

The Vancouver Whitecaps travel to Northern California to face the San Jose Earthquakes for the second time this season.  In their previous matchup at Empire it was a late goal by Davide Chiumineto that salvaged a point for the Caps.  Both teams are looking to break streaks as the Caps have lost four in a row while the Earthquakes have not won a game in six games.

Whitecaps Drop Friendly to Machester City

The Vancouver Whitecaps were able to get a full 90 minutes against Manchester City but lost the match 2-1 on a very poor turf.  There was some doubt that the game would not be able to go through as it was only a few hours before the scheduled start when confirmation that the match would be played.  While, the Whitecaps opened the scoring on a deflected shot by Camilo, last year’s FA Cup champions scored two in the second half to secure the victory.

The Whitecaps attempted to strike early when Eric Hassli, back from a foot injury, struck a shot that forced Joe Hart to the ball over the bar.  Then it was Camilo’s turn as his free kick cleared the wall and heading for inside the post but saved by a diving Hart to keep the game scoreless.  Around the half hour mark the Whitecaps pushed forward again and this time made it count as Camilo accepted a return pass from Salinas and took a shot which deflected off a City defender past a helpless Joe Hart.

MLS Power Rankings: Week 18

 1. Los Angeles Galaxy (1)

Record:  10W-2L-9D

Last Week: No Match

Next Week:  July 20 vs Columbus Crew

Galaxy look to extend unbeaten streak against Crew

2. Seattle Sounders (2)

Record:  10W-4L-8D

Last Week:  4-3 Win vs Colorado Rapids

Next Week:  No Match

High scoring game helps Sounders win in grudge match

Another Washout For The Whitecaps

For the second time this year the weather has affected a match which the Whitecaps were involved as their match with Real Salt Lake was postponed by MLS to a later day.  The temporary grass field, which was laid over the artificial turf, was unable to handle a freak summer storm as the lack of drainage caused the field to deemed unplayable.  Sod was placed at Empire because of the international friendly scheduled with EPL side Manchester City on Monday night.

The postponement of the match has forced the Vancouver Whitecaps organization to take lumps in the MLS world with the majority of RSL and neutral fans claiming the home side should forfiet the game as they were unable to provide a proper playing surface.  While those fans may have a case, this would not have been an issue if the MLS did not mandate the World Football Challenge and push clubs to schedule a friendly against the glamour teams of Europe.  The refusal of those teams to play on anything but natural grass is also a cause of today's problems.

Next Whitecap To Be Moved

The Summer Transfer window is now open and the Whitecaps are looking to add to the number of changes they are already making.  With the trade of Terry Dunfield to TFC and the immediate release of Mouloud Akloul coupled with the additions of Jordan Harvey and Mustapha Jarju the roster sits at 29, including two international spots.  So in order to bring in multiple players the Whitecaps will have to make some difficult decisions when choosing the players that would have to move on.  Below is a list of eight players who on the basis of their skill and injury history, as well as other factors, could be leaving the expansion team this summer.

LB/LM Blake Wagner:  The left footed former Generation Adidas player was one of the first signings for Tom Soehn before the 2010 season.  Wagner, drafted in 2006 by FC Dallas, had the most MLS experience amongst the players brought from the Division 2 squad having 40 appearances including 32 starts.  This season Wagner has started in nine matches at Left Back usually when Alain Rochat needed a rest or if he had to move inside.  While Wagner is by no means a horrible player on the backline he lacks the pace and confidence to move forward on the attack.  With the recent addition of Jordan Harvey it looks like Wagner will be soon be moving on as he falls to third on the depth chart.

Dunfield Shipped To TFC

In another move to reshape the roster the Vancouver Whitecaps traded local boy and alternate captain Terry Dunfield to their Canadian rivals TFC in exchange for allocation money and future considerations.  The lone Vancouverite on the roster struggled recently on the pitch including missing a penalty kick against Columbus last week.  With this trade it is clear that the Whitecaps organization are making the transition from the line-up assembled for Thordarson to the one that Soehn needs.

The trade itself takes $65,000 off the salary cap and brings back some of the allocation money that was sent for Jordan Harvey.  The future considerations are unkown as well and could be the MLS rights to Keven Aleman, the academy player who was part of the Canadian team at the U17 World Cup.  Aleman was released by TFC when asked to sign a two year commitment but said he would sign when he returned from the tournament.  During the World Cup telecast it was reported that the forward would sign with the Whitecaps if an option in Europe was unavailable.

Whitecaps Sign First Ever African Designated Player

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced the acquisition of their second designated player and the first one from the African continent in MLS history with the signing of Mustapha Jarju.  The former U17 captain and current alternate captain for the Gambian national football team played last year in the Belgian 2^nd division with RAEC Mons.  The eighteen goals he scored last season helped the club gain promotion to the Jupiler League, the Belgian first division.

The story broke on Monday night when the Whitecaps announced there would be a major player signing the next morning.  Around the same time respected Nigerian based football writer, Colin Udoh, announced that there would be an African DP signing in the Western Conference.  Then he confirmed it was for the Whitecaps, it was a forward and he captained the U17 national team.

MLS Power Rankings: Week 17

There was very little movement in the rankings this week as Chivas USA was the only club not in last week's top ten to this week.  The Goats were the only team to move up multiple spots as they rose three spots while there are six teams that dropped a single spot.

1. Los Angeles Galaxy (1)

Record:  10W-2L-9D

Last Week: 2-1 Win vs Chicago Fire

Next Week:  No Match

Beckham leads LA to a victory with goal and assist as unbeaten extends to 12(6W 6D)

Report Card: Whitecaps FC Versus Colorado Rapids

With half of their team out of action due to injury and suspension the inexperienced Whitecaps came up short in their first trip to Colorado losing 2-1.  It was fourth straight one goal loss in league and fifth straight overall and while each of the games are close it comes as no consolation.  The losses keep piling up and the club’s aspirations of making the playoffs are looking doubtful.

FORWARDS

Camilo- Once again the Brazilian striker was a consistent threat for the Whitecaps and easily the top performer for the match.  Camilo made a great run into the box and showed poise getting around the goalkeeper for the goal.  He's also playing a better team game as there were a couple instances where he looked for and found teammates with his passing.  GRADE:  B+

Caps Can't Stay Afloat Against Rapids

The Vancouver Whitecaps found a new way to lose as defensive breakdown allowed the Colorado Rapids win a lightning delayed match 2-1. The Whitecaps were unable to handle Colorado’s Conner Casey as he scored a goal in the first half and his header off a free kick led to the second goal by Scott Palguta before Camilo brought the visitors within one. It is the club’s fourth straight league loss and fifth straight including all competitions with all the defeats coming by a single goal.

Both teams played the first twenty minutes evenly with each team taking turns controlling the ball and getting chances on goal. Then the Rapids started taking over with their high pressure which eventually caused a turnover by Vagenas and Colorado quickly attacked by sending a ball into the box, just missing Boxall’s head, to Casey who chested the ball to ground and fired the ball into the net past Cannon. The Caps almost responded quickly as a left footed shot went just wide of the near post. The Rapids had almost doubled their lead before the half when Omar Cummings was sent in alone but could not find the net.