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Posted by
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May 22, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C - It's going to be an old school west coast vs east coast battle in the Amway Canadian Cup semifinals on Tuesday night at B.C. Place. Mauro Biello and the Montreal Impact will look to get a first leg up on Carl Robinson and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert knows all about Canadian Cup battles. The Niagara Falls, Ontario native, is the all-time leader with 17 appearances in the tournament. He will look to share his wise wisdom with what is expected to be a youthful Vancouver lineup.
"We know we're in for a battle with these Canadian Cup games," said Teibert. "It's a championship, it's a trophy that always has a lot of drama, a lot of excitement. It's a great opportunity for a lot of guys to get on to the field, including myself. Last year we all know what happened. It's in the back of our minds, and we're trying to set the record right this year."
If you have amnesia, Toronto FC scored at the death to secure a 2-2 total goal aggregate. Toronto was able to win on the away goals rule. They celebrated and hoisted the Voyageurs Cup on B.C. Place turf. The Caps were completely shook, and that loss derailed their season. They never got back on track, and collapsed down the stretch.
Carl Robinson is hoping that his now in form 5-5-1 MLS team can rebound and trounce Montreal with a first leg advantage. Robinson will likely rotate his squad, thus giving a lot of WFC 2 players a run out against the Impact. It's a change for youngsters to show what they can bring. Robinson is not afraid to give the reins to the next generation.
"All the subs on Saturday will play in the game," said Robinson. "We'll get to look at some USL guys as well which is important. We got some residency boys on the bench which I want to have a look at which I think have big upsides. We're here to win the game, make no doubt about it. We're not here to make up the numbers. We know it's going to be a difficult game, whatever team they put out, but we're fully focused on ourselves."
The 3-4-4 Montreal Impact have struggled immensely this season despite coming off a 4-1 victory over Portland Timbers FC at the weekend. Ignacio Piatti scored a brace in that match, but he won't be able to replicate that showing tomorrow night. Piatti is back in Montreal recovering from a hip flexor issue. Marco Donadel will also miss the match with a niggling knee injury. Coach Biello did not wish to risk him on the B.C. Place turf.
It will be important for Montreal to dictate the match accordingly. The Caps will have a lot of baby faces looking to impress on a big stage. Montreal has the deeper available, set roster. Surviving an early wave of pressure could be an advantage as the match progresses.
"Obviously we have to manage this game in the right way," admitted Biello. "We're coming off a game this weekend, and with the long trip, freshness is important. I remember last year starting a lot of my starters against Toronto after an emotional game vs LA. We had a difficult game over there. These are all things and factors that I have to balance. We have some players that are fresh and ready to go, and we're hoping to have a good performance."
Vancouver and Montreal met on May April 29 at Stade Saputo with the visiting Whitecaps securing a coveted 2-1 win. It was a feisty fixture with both teams competing hard. Impact defender, Hassoun Camara wasn't happy with how that match played out. Montreal will look to set the tone by scoring an away goal or two to take back home.
"We are a little bit frustrated," revealed Camara. "We learned from that, we want to grow, and on the other hand it's a Cup game, so we have to be very smart, and knowing that we have another game at home next week. It's going to be a good first leg, and we're going to do everything to have a good situation for the second game."
The winner of this semifinal series will play either Toronto FC or Ottawa Fury in the Canadian Cup Final. If Toronto does not win the Canada Cup this year, they will play the winner of this years tournament in a winner take all match in Toronto this summer. The objective is to determine an outright Canadian participating in the 2017/2018 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League tournament.
The 24 year-old Teibert knows what it's like to both win a Canadian Cup, and to also suffer bitter defeat just before the final whistle. It's not just about bringing a trophy back to Vancouver. It's also holding a wee bit of trash talk, and superiority over the other Canadian clubs.
"The guys know what's on the line," said Teibert. "Everybody wants to be the best team in Canada. Everybody wants those bragging rights, and unfortunately we don't have them right now. We're trying to win a trophy, so I think we go out to win."
Camara and the Impact are a confident club as well. Montreal has all the pieces to go on a long CONCACAF Champions League run, and they've shown that before in 2015. Getting an upper hand against Vancouver will be the key in what could be a long successful journey.
"I think that it's going to be a great rendezvous for us, and I hope that we're going to win," said Camara.
Whether it's Vancouver or Montreal, both teams have shown that they can go on a deep run into the CONCACAF Champions League tournament. Whichever team can get a jump on the other will have all the confidence in the world heading into the Canada Cup Final.
Canadian Championship Semifinal First Leg Rosters.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 23- Man Roster.
Goalkeepers (2): Sean Melvin*, Spencer Richey
Defenders (6): Marcel de Jong, Sem de Wit*, Jake Nerwinski, Tim Parker, Cole Seiler, Deklan Wynne*
Midfielders (11): Matthew Baldisimo*, Marco Bustos, Alphonso Davies, Matias Laba, Ben McKendry, Nicolas Mezquida, David Norman Jr.*, Mauro Rosales, Tony Tchani, Cristian Techera, Russell Teibert
Forwards (4): Gloire Amanda*, Kyle Greig, Fredy Montero, Brek Shea
*WFC2 call-up
Montreal Impact - 23 -Man Roster.
Goalkeepers (3): Evan Bush, Maxime Crépeau, Eric Kronberg
Defenders (7): Ambroise Oyongo, Hassoun Camara, Laurent Ciman, Chris Duvall, Kyle Fisher, Wandrille Lefèvre, Daniel Lovitz
Midfielders (10): Adrián Arregui, Hernán Bernardello, Patrice Bernier, David Choinière, Blerim Dzemaili, Calum Mallace, Ignacio Piatti, Michael Salazar, Shamit Shome, Ballou Tabla
Forwards (3): Nick DePuy, Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Dominic Oduro.
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