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Posted by
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April 5, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps are facing a tall task tonight as they take on Tigres UANL in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals. The Liga MX side earned a 2-0 win in the first leg on March 14 at Estadio Universitario in Monterrey. Carl Robinson will be hoping his squad can find enough offence, while also being cautious about conceding an away goal.
Vancouver could try and bring a full-out attack, but that also presents a risk of being caught by a quickly transitioning Tigres team. Finding a balance between taking offensive opportunities and protecting goalkeeper, David Ousted will be a tricky test.
"We know they've got quality," said Robinson. "We know they're a good team, and we know they hold a two-goal advantage. If we sit back and we concede, we obviously haven't executed our game-plan correctly. We know we need to score three goals to try and get through, two to equalize. We know they're a good team, so we've got to keep the back door shut."
Fredy Montero will start at forward, and Kyle Greig will also be in the eighteen. Beyond that, Vancouver is thin at striker. Erik Hurtado is unavailable because of a foot contusion. Brek Shea could be an option next to Montero, or as a roving winger on the flanks.
"Yeah, I'm comfortable in both positions," said Shea. "I played last game up against them, up front and the last MLS game, I played on the wing. I'm able to do both."
The College Station, Texas native is well rested having sat out Vancouver's 4-2 win over the LA Galaxy on Saturday. Shea has proclaimed himself fit, and you know he will be eager to make a positive impression after a less than ideal first month with the Whitecaps.
"I haven't played in a long time, so hopefully I'm very fresh," said Shea. "I'm looking forward to it. Yeah, I'm fit to play. I'm ready to play as long as the game goes."
Shea could potentially be a secret weapon for the Caps. He's drawn a bit of ire from the fans, and he has yet to find his form. This could be the match that he potentially 'Breks' out and finds success. Tigres will try and rile up Shea, and his teammates. Playing to the whistle, and avoiding any on pitch antics will be vital.
"I think every time I play a South American (Mexico) team, they try to get under everyone's skin. That's a standard from them," said Shea.
The roof is going to be open and it's going to be proper chilly and likely raining inside B.C. Place. Getting Tigres off their game could completely throw a wrench into their tactics. Vancouver is looking for any type of advantage as the big underdog.
France Euro 2016 finalist André-Pierre Gignac, Eduardo Vargas, and Guido Pizarro will be lurking and ready to pounce on any costly Vancouver turnovers. Cutting down on mistakes, and playing the match in smaller segments will help the Whitecaps.
"We're going to have to take some risks, sensible risks at the right times, but we've got to keep the back door shut," said Carl Robinson.
An MLS team has never won the CONCACAF Champions League. The Vancouver Whitecaps have a great opportunity to make history by advancing to the finals vs Pachuca (Liga MX). It might be labelled as 'Mission Impossible', but it's not out of the question.
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