Defending set pieces key as Whitecaps continue quest for win against Galaxy
It’s a brand new week, however the objective stays the identical for the Vancouver Whitecaps — earn their first win of the Major League Soccer season.
The Whitecaps (0-2-1) will take their quest for factors to Southern California on Saturday, taking over the L.A. Galaxy (0-1-1), one other aspect that’s in search of its first victory of the 2023 marketing campaign.
“Obviously, they’re going to be a great staff. They have good gamers,” mentioned Whitecaps striker Brian White.
“They gave us a tough time final yr right here in L.A. So it’s going to be vital for us to come back off on the appropriate foot, construct off the issues we’ve been doing nicely within the video games beforehand and attempt to get a win.”
Vancouver is coming off a bittersweet mid-week matchup with Real CD Espana in CONCACAF Champions League play. The ‘Caps dropped a 3-2 choice on Wednesday however superior to the event’s quarterfinals with a 7-3 combination rating throughout the two-leg sequence.
With a packed schedule, Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini opted to go away a few of his traditional starters in Vancouver for the second leg.
Defender Ranko Veselinovic was amongst those that stayed, coaching with the membership’s academy prospects and watching his teammates play from afar.
“It was a little bit bit bizarre, to be sincere,” he mentioned. “Because (we’re) watching these guys in Honduras, preparing for a game and us staying at home and looking.”
Veselinovic rejoined his teammates in California on Thursday and is trying ahead to dealing with L.A., together with his longtime buddy and fellow Serbian Dejan Joveljic.
The ‘Caps break up their season sequence with the Galaxy final yr, dropping a 5-2 choice on the highway, then blanking the guests 3-0 at B.C. Place a month later.
“I believe it’s going to be quite a bit completely different recreation than final season,” Veselinovic mentioned.
“You by no means know what to anticipate in these video games however I simply suppose that we have to focus to perform a little bit higher than the earlier video games. And offensively, we’d like extra possibilities and to attain from these possibilities. And I believe we’ll be good.”
One space the place the Whitecaps must focus extra is defending set performs, he added.
The ‘Caps gave up two targets off nook kicks and one off of a free kick on Wednesday.
Sartini mentioned defending set items is the one space the place his staff has been “insufficient” to start out the season.
“You don’t should be a rocket scientist to grasp it’s most likely been our weakest half (this season),” the coach mentioned.
In order to come back out with a win over the Galaxy, the Whitecaps will should be defensively sound and conscious of L.A.’s technical high quality, Sartini added.
“What we need to do is not to chase them,” he mentioned. “If we’re capable of keep structured and compact, I believe that they’ll get pissed off they usually can open quite a bit once they defend.”
Vancouver’s prone to face a loud, hostile environment at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday because the Galaxy play their first house recreation of the season.
Concentrating on their very own play as a substitute of what’s taking place with the opponents will likely be key, White mentioned.
“I believe it’s some extent that we begin the sport sturdy, not be intimidated by their house opener, not be intimidated by any gamers they could have,” he mentioned.
“(We must) come out and play the type of soccer we need to play, be intense from the beginning and, after we get the chance to complete the sport off with targets, hopefully, take that chance.”
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (0-2-1) AT L.A. GALAXY (0-1-1)
Saturday, Dignity Health Sports Park
ON THE MEND: Vancouver will likely be with out defender Luis Martins (groin) whereas midfielder Russell Teibert (ankle) is questionable to play. L.A. ahead Javier Chicharito Hernandez (hamstring) and midfielder Douglas Costa (calf) are each anticipated to overlook the sport.
CRAMPED CALENDAR: Saturday will mark the Whitecaps’ fifth recreation in 14 days throughout MLS play and CONCACAF motion. The hectic schedule is about to proceed subsequent month when the ‘Caps face reigning MLS champions Los Angeles FC within the Champions League quarterfinals on April 5 and eleventh.
MILESTONE WATCH: Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon may make his a hundredth MLS look. The 26-year-old American spent 4 seasons with LAFC earlier than he was traded to Vancouver forward of the 2022 marketing campaign.
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