Latest News and Commentary

July 16, 2011, 1:00 PM
TV: Sportsnet One; Radio: Team 1040

Match Preview: Real Salt Lake at Whitecaps FC

The Whitecaps (2W-10L-8D, 9th West) return to the friendly confines of Empire Field on Saturday to start a grueling stretch of three games in five days. Their first opponent, Real Salt Lake (8W-3L-6D, 4th West), defeated the Caps once already this season, taking a 2-0 decision in Salt Lake City in early June.

This will be a tough test as RSL are widely considered to be the best team in Major League Soccer, having made a deep run in the CONCACAF Champions League earlier this year, losing in the finals to Monterrey.

The Whitecaps

Vancouver returns from a forgettable trip to Colorado last weekend. Playing without Eric Hassli, Davide Chiumiento and Jay DeMerit, the Caps fielded an extremely young lineup. Colorado striker Conor Casey took full advantage, opening the scoring, and contributing to the second goal en route to a 2-1 Rapids win. Camilo drew the Whitecaps within striking distance with a 77th minute tally, but the visitors would get no closer.

The one match and its result was nothing compared to what the team did over the next few days.

First, the ‘Caps made MLS headlines announcing the signing of its second designated player. With the MLS summer transfer window open, the team acquired Gambian international striker Mustapha Jarju from Belgian side RAEC Mons.

The 23 year old, who is also a capable midfielder having played that role internationally for Gambia, scored 25 goals and 13 assists last season in Belgium’s second division. His performance helped earn Mons promotion back to the top flight of Belgian soccer. Jarju will suit-up on Saturday for his first match at Empire Field.

Maybe he’ll lighten the mood in the lately sombre Whitecaps dressing room

Two days after the Jarju blockbuster, the Whitecaps announced that fan-favourite, Vancouver native Terry Dunfield had been dealt to Toronto FC in exchange for an undisclosed amount of allocation money and future considerations. Dunfield scored twice for the Whitecaps early in the season but struggled mightily since returning from Gold Cup international duty.

Whitecaps fans should never forget this Dunfield moment:

Of note, Saturday’s match will be the only home league game this year that Vancouver will play on natural grass. FA Cup champions Manchester City come to Vancouver on Monday for a friendly, and a grass field was one of the conditions of hosting. Expect some odd bounces as the sod has been laid directly on top of Empire’s existing turf field.

Real Salt Lake

While RSL are coming off a mid-week 2-0 loss to FC Dallas in the US Open Cup, they are unbeaten in their last 6 MLS matches.

Top to bottom, they have a dangerous line-up, featuring 12 different goal-scorers this season to Vancouver’s 7, and 14 different players with an assist to Vancouver’s 8. Forward Fabian Espindola is the club’s leading scorer with six goals on the year, while midfielder Kyle Beckerman is the playmaker with four dimes to date.

Espindola sings YMCA to celebrate his goals

Salt Lake will look to play a possession game. If Vancouver wants a chance at a result, they will need to apply some pressure and deny the Utah squad time and space to set up.

Lineup Notes

After another week on the sidelines, Eric Hassli (foot) and Davide Chiumiento (hamstring) are both listed as probable for Saturday’s tilt. Also listed as probable, at long last, is central midfield veteran John Thorrington. Thorrington has missed all but one game this year, but his return may have made the decision to trade Terry Dunfield easier for Caps management.

Sitting out injured for Vancouver will be Jay DeMerit (adductor strain) and Atiba Harris (knee), while newcomer Jordan Harvey will serve a one-game suspension after picking up his fifth caution of the year against Colorado. Sitting out for Real Salt Lake will be M Javier Morales (ankle) and F Paulo Jr. (hamstring).

What’s Next

After this game, Vancouver will have only one day off before Manchester City is in town for a Monday night friendly. The Whitecaps will then head down the coast to San Jose to play the Earthquakes on Wednesday. Real Salt Lake heads back home to await those same Earthquakes next Saturday.

-post written by Chris Withers, follow him on twitter