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Match Preview: Whitecaps looking to find rhythm vs San Jose

Following a draw vs Charlotte at BC Place to kick off their MLS season, the Whitecaps are heading out for the first of two straight games on the road, as they get set to take on the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on Saturday.

A battle of clubs both celebrating their 50th anniversary, this latest instalment of the “Third Wheel Derby” promises to be a good one, too, as both teams enter hungry to win.

On one side, there are the Earthquakes, who are reeling after falling in their first two matches of the season, as they lost 2-1 to FC Dallas on opening day before falling 3-1 to the LA Galaxy in the ‘Cali Clasico’ last weekend. Because of that, they’re eager to get some points on the board, as they look to build off an appearance in MLS’s play-in match last year.

In their second season under manager Luchi Gonzalez, this ‘Quakes team has big aspirations for more this campaign, so will look to find their feet and avoid falling further into a slump to begin the year. This group will be fired up and eager to come out of the gates flying, as they look to live up to some of the preseason hype that surrounded this team.

A solid outfit, headlined by the underrated Cristian Espinoza, who put up MLS Best XI worthy numbers last year with 13 goals and 8 primary assists, and supported by Jeremy Ebobisse, who had a ‘quiet’ 10 goals and 2 assists by his standard, this team can be dangerous on their day. Along with Daniel in goal, who was one of the best in MLS last year, they’ve got good core pieces across the field, doing well to play organized in their 4-2-3-1, a far cry to what they used to be in the chaotic days of Matías Almeyda. Despite that, they’ve also got a few holes to keep an eye on in their squad.

To begin, they struggle for depth scoring, as no one beyond Espinoza and Ebobisse scored more than three goals last year, which is why they signed veteran Norwegian winger Amahl Pellegrino and traded for LA Galaxy forward Preston Judd to try and fix that problem.

Then, at the back, they’ve struggled to defend in wide areas to start this year, as they play aggressively with their full backs in possession in a 4-2-3-1, which can leave a lot of spaces to attack in out wide. For a team that’s otherwise very solid when they get behind the ball, that’s a big worry, as teams will start to look to play more directly against them.

The Whitecaps will aim to take advantage of those two things in this matchup.

First, they’ll look to continue what has quietly been a good start to the year defensively, even if the goals against total hasn’t reflected that, as their underlying numbers have so far been solid in their Concacaf Champions Cup matchup against Tigres and in their opening day draw to Charlotte in MLS play. Because of that, they’ll feel confident that they can keep this ‘Quakes team quiet, especially if they hone in on Espinoza and Ebobisse and shut them down.

Then, offensively, look for the Whitecaps to employ a bit more speed on the flanks in this game, something that they lacked against Charlotte, who clogged up the middle of the park and dared the ‘Caps to play wide, something they struggled to do.

Seeing San Jose’s wide struggles, this game seems like a tailor-made opportunity for Fafà Picault to earn his first start for the club, while they’ll hope that Ali Ahmed is able to at least play 30 minutes off the bench, if not start, as he continues his return from injury. Along with someone like Levonte Johnson on the bench, that gives the ‘Caps plenty of options to bring the speed and direct play they lacked last week.

Otherwise, Brian White and Ryan Gauld will look to find their feet after a quiet first MLS game, as they remain the heartbeat of this offence, and will look to step up. If they can do that, and Pedro Vite can build off a strong Charlotte game, that will be huge for this ‘Caps offence, who will look to return to the dominant levels they showed at times last year.

In terms of availability for the ‘Caps, Mathías Laborda returns from suspension this week, which is key for Vancouver as he’ll bring a big boost defensively, while Sam Adekugbe remains out as he returns from a knee injury, with Bjørn Inge Utvik and Joe Bendik sitting as the lone other injury doubts despite return to full training this week.

Overall, though, this should be a testy clash, one that could prove to be key between two teams that will feel that they have what it takes to be top 5 teams in the West. As a result, a win for either side could go a long way, as they both look for their first wins of the season, which makes this one to watch.

Yet, matchups between these two teams always seem to be, so they’ll try and add another chapter to what has usually been an entertaining ‘rivalry’ over the last few years, if it can even be called that.

4 thoughts on “Match Preview: Whitecaps looking to find rhythm vs San Jose”

  1. I am eternal optimist so I am going to go for 2-1 for the ‘Caps but my head says 1-1 or 0-0, a low scoring dull draw. Historically the ‘Caps have not been able to capitalize on important occasions so I can’t see them having an amazing season. The wingback situation will improve when Ali and Sam get back to full fitness.

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  2. “Then, offensively, look for the Whitecaps to employ a bit more speed on the flanks in this game, something that they lacked against Charlotte, who clogged up the middle of the park and dared the ‘Caps to play wide, something they struggled to do.”

    They need to upgrade the wingback situation with flank attackers who can pose a geniune offensive threat to take the pressure off Gauld and White. Schöpf and Berhalter are central mids being used out of position while Raposo’s contibutions are overrated by the contributors on here. Having Ahmed pushed up in a more advanced role in place of Kreilach, who would be better used as a final 20 minute sub, would also help.

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  3. Perhaps Brown starts in front of Laborda. Brown did a lot of effective attacking down the right side in last week’s 2nd half

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    1. If a back-four is set out, it will likely be Brown, though I push back somewhat on the suggestion (not just by you, post-match last also by others) that Brown was effective going forward. 1/6 on crosses and an 81% passing accuracy don’t positively balance out the lone shot on target, for me. Brown is bang-average, at best, though I do think he’s a better option as Laborda as a fullback.

      If the backline is set out in a three, however, Laborda is by far the better option as the right-sided CB, as defensively he is far better than Brown.

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