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After a comeback draw against the Columbus Crew midweek, a weary Whitecaps squad will now head to San Jose and Avaya Stadium for a Saturday evening fixture against the Earthquakes. Sitting atop the MLS standings, Carl Robinson’s squad will look to stretch their current undefeated streak to six games.
The Whitecaps should have the momentum heading into this road fixture given the fact that since an opening day loss to Toronto FC they appear to have hit upon a hot streak in which they have found a way to grind out impressive results regardless of the opposition. On the flip side of that equation, San Jose will enter play on Saturday fresh off of two straight losses.
Keep thinking
As always, the player to watch for San Jose will undoubtedly be striker Chris Wondolowski. He again leads the Earthquakes in scoring with three goals to date and he has absolutely torched the Whitecaps in previous matches with 9 goals in 11 fixtures against Vancouver.
However, this time out the Whitecaps will feature a game breaker of their own in Octavio Rivero. The Uruguayan striker has been on fire for the Whitecaps and he has already scored a league-leading 5 goals in six appearances. His chance to add to that tally looks excellent given the fact that the Earthquakes have conceded more goals than any other team in the Western Conference.
Looking at the two clubs on paper, it would appear that Vancouver should be the heavy favourites against an Earthquakes side that struggled immensely during a 2014 MLS Season that ended with the club's worst ever record and that contained a 15-match winless streak. While San Jose will surely be better under new Head Coach Dominic Kinnear, the squad will likely take some time to fully integrate and gel amidst their new gaffer’s approach. Thus, the Whitecaps might have caught something of break in having to face their fellow west coast side in San Jose so early in the campaign.
However, even taking into the account the above, it would not be a surprise if Vancouver has an off night considering the fatigue from a midweek game and the fact that a number of key players are somewhat banged up. Add in the fact that this fixture will be San Jose’s first Saturday night match at their new stadium and the 12th man could play a key role against a weary Whitecaps side.
In the end
Vancouver’s depth will be tested in this match. However, with many of the regular starters likely suffering from some tired legs, an injection of several fresh players anxious to prove that they deserve more playing time could be just what the doctor ordered for this game. With the team’s recent acquisition of wide midfielder Cristian Techera, the competition for minutes will only get fiercer for Vancouver. With players now looking over their shoulders even more so, there should be plenty of motivation for the Whitecaps players against San Jose regardless of which ones make up the starting eleven.
Prediction
Vancouver Whitecaps 2 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
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