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Fresh off their first ever win against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium last weekend, the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps will face off on Saturday evening against a D.C. United side that is off to a fine start of their own to their 2015 MLS campaign.
After a massive win last weekend, Carl Robinson’s squad will have to put their best foot forward to keep their MLS-leading run continuing in a winning manner, as even considering that the match will be played at home at BC Place, D.C. United will present a very dangerous opponent.
Ben Olson’s squad finished first in the Eastern Conference last year and are a solid team without any major weaknesses. The Black and Red will enter Saturday’s match on a four game unbeaten run and tied for first place in the Eastern Conference table.
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D.C. United’s early season form has been all the more impressive considering the fact that team’s 3-1-2 record has been achieved without their key player Fabian Espindola, who has been serving a six-game suspension.
The veteran Argentine forward is coming off a stellar 2014 campaign in which he both a dangerous goalscoring threat with 11 goals and as a playmaker with 9 assists. United will undoubtedly have an extra spring in their step courtesy of the fact that they will have finally have their best player in their lineup.
Ben Olson’s squad will also welcome 2014 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Bill Hamid back into the starting eleven after the U.S. International missed last weekend’s match due to injury.
While Vancouver’s initial success this season was based in big part on the scoring success of striker Octavio Rivero, uber-talented forward Darren Mattocks has now scored two goals in his last three matches. Playing with an in-form Rivero and Mattocks up top potentially gives Vancouver one of the top dual threats up top in the league.
Similarly to D.C. United and the return of Espindola, Vancouver should be buoyed on Saturday by return to action of team captain and midfield maestro Pedro Morales. The Chilean missed the match against Salt Lake due to suspension and his return to the lineup will only make forwards such as Rivero and Mattocks that much more dangerous.
Whitecaps supporters will also be hoping that Saturday’s fixture will end up being a coming out party for recently acquired winger Cristian Techera. The technically-gifted 5 foot 2 Uruguayan is expected to make his MLS debut on Saturday. Techera adds more South American flair to the Whitecaps and he becomes the fourth Uruguayan on the Vancouver roster.
In the end
With so many impressive offensive players involved in this match, this fixture has the potential to be a barnstormer. Furthermore, these two squads are very evenly matched, with both squads having very strong spines and considerable depth. Home field advantage will likely be the difference in this one for a Whitecaps side that has shown an excellent winning spirit to date.
Prediction
Vancouver Whitecaps 3 – 2 D.C. United
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