This weekend, Sounders FC wraps up a three-match road swing that has taken up the first half of the month of May. The travel will be far less laborious, though, as the Rave Green head over the border to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Cascadia action. With a win on the road, the Sounders would jump into first place in the race for the 2015 Cascadia Cup.
To learn more about this week’s opponent, SoundersFC.com checked in with Jason deVos of the ‘Caps broadcast team with TSN. As a player, deVos earned 49 caps with the Canadian National Team and played with multiple clubs around Canada, England and Scotland before retiring in 2008. He now serves as an in-game and studio analyst for TSN, providing coverage as part of their MLS ON TSN programming.
Dangerman
I think Octavio Rivero is really the key for the Whitecaps this season. He’s tied for second in MLS with six goals scored so far this season. He’s been a fantastic addition. His movement is exceptional. He’s right up there with some of the best in the league. The movement and pedigree he brings is something the Whitecaps have never really had in their history as an MLS team. To have him as an outlet up top is a real plus for the team.
Who to Watch For
Pedro Morales is still the captain and he’s definitely one to watch, as well. Matias Laba is a central midfielder who is also key for the team this season. When you look at the comparable between the Sounders and the Whitecaps, you have [Clint] Dempsey and [Obafemi] Martins who are more than capable of putting the ball in the back of the net and for the Whitecaps, Rivero does that job.
On the creative side, it’s Pedro Morales and on the defensive midfield side – like Ozzie Alonso for the Sounders – they have Laba occupying the same role. There are a lot of similarities between these two teams.
Best Additions to the Team
Although he has only recently come to the team, I think Cristian Techera is going to have a big impact for Vancouver. He’s a very diminutive player; he’s probably the smallest in Major League Soccer but he’s quick and explosive. He has a really nice left foot and has a very creative way about him.
He had a chance to get into the game very quickly last weekend following an injury to Mauro Rosales, who Sounders fans know quite well. I’m not sure if Rosales will be available this weekend against the Sounders but Techera came into the game and provided a spark.
I also really like Diego Rodriguez. Again, though, there’s a bit of an injury concern. He has a reoccurring problem with his thigh and that’s kept him out for the last few matches. Long term, he’s going to be a name that Sounders fans will need to know.
Best Stats of the Season
The position the team is in now is excellent. Whitecaps FC is near the top of MLS and it’s a position they haven’t grown accustom to yet, simply because they’re in new territory right now.
I think Carl Robinson has done a really good job of bringing in players. You’re always judged by the performance of your players, but it’s really about who you sign. Ultimately as a coach, the players have to go out and get the job done for you. That’s where Robinson has excelled. He has signed great players for his team. The three that I mentioned – Rivero, Morales and Laba – all were signed by Robinson. He brought them to Vancouver. He can take the credit for that.
Final Thoughts on VANvSEA
I think Octavio Rivero against Chad Marshall will be a big matchup to watch. Rivero has to get the better of Marshall if the Whitecaps are going to be successful. It’s going to be difficult because Chad is such an experienced defender and he’s been playing at the highest level in this league for a number of years. That’s going to be a difficult task.
I look at these two teams and I think both are very, very strong down the middle. Stefan Frei is a keeper that I know very well because of his time with Toronto and David Osted has been playing exceptionally for the team right now. It’s really right down the middle of both teams where I think the game will be won or lost. Whoever gets the better of the opponent straight down the spine will come away with all three points.
