Winless Vancouver Whitecaps cautious ahead of matchup with undermanned Minnesota
The Vancouver Whitecaps aren’t about to be lulled right into a false sense of safety as they head to the American Midwest this weekend.
The ‘Caps (0-2-2) know seven of Minnesota United’s normal starters will probably be away on worldwide responsibility when the 2 sides take the sphere in Saint Paul on Saturday, however Vancouver coach Vanni Sartini mentioned victory is way from assured.
“Last year, we played against (the Seattle Sounders), it was an international break, they were missing 10 players, we got smashed,” he mentioned Friday. “We played against them (again) when they are 100 per cent and we won. So it’s not a guarantee.”
Minnesota has not been pleasant to the Whitecaps. Vancouver has gone 0-3-2 on the Loons’ residence turf, together with a 2-0 loss that ended their season final 12 months.
This time round, Minnesota (2-0-1) will probably be with out goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair (Canada), defenders Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica) and Michael Boxall (New Zealand), midfielders Kevin Arriaga (Honduras), Joseph Rosales (Honduras) and Robin Lod (Finland), and ahead Bongokuhle Hlongwane (South Africa).
Whitecaps defender Javain Brown (Jamaica) and midfielder Andres Cubas (Paraguay) are additionally away with their nationwide groups.
With Cubas out, American midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is poised to makes his first begin of the season.
“I believe I’ve simply been staying affected person in coaching, working exhausting,” he mentioned. “And for it to come now, it’s great. I’m ready to take advantage.”
On defence, Mattias Laborda is predicted to fill in for Brown at proper again.
Vancouver isn’t excited about who will probably be lacking from the both lineup, Berhalter added. Instead, the main target is on the ‘Caps getting their first victory of the Major League Soccer season.
“It’s just another game, honestly,” Berhalter mentioned. “And it doesn’t actually matter who we’re taking part in. We simply need to go on the market and get a win.”
After dropping 2-1 selections of their first two video games of the 2023 marketing campaign, the Whitecaps are coming off back-to-back 1-1 attracts in opposition to FC Dallas and the L.A. Galaxy.
A stable begin will probably be key to securing all three factors on Saturday, Sartini mentioned, particularly as Minnesota integrates new faces into its lineup.
“We have to arrange the tone instantly,” the coach mentioned. “The more that they are on the field and they get confidence, they’re all good players so is not going to be felt after 20,25 minutes. I think the start of the game is going to be very important.”
The Loons chalked up a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids final weekend and have but to endure a loss this 12 months.
Set items have been a giant a part of the workforce’s success — and are an space the place Vancouver’s defence has struggled at instances.
The ‘Caps have to proceed the shape they confirmed in opposition to Galaxy final weekend, Sartini mentioned, when L.A. failed to attain off 13 corners.
Solid all-around defence needs to be a spotlight because the workforce heads to Minnesota, the coach added.
“I think it’s time to get a clean sheet,” he said. “So I think we are focused too much on the fact that we need to score more goals. Maybe we need also to concede less.”
In order to maintain the Loons off the scoresheet, Sartini will look to his centre backs, Ranko Veselinovic and Tristan Blackmon.
The duo advanced right into a dependable defensive pairing for the ‘Caps final season, and their partnership has continued to develop early this 12 months.
“We know each other very good. We are even off the field always together, so we understand each other good,” Veselinovic mentioned. “We’ve performed a whole lot of video games now and final season, so we simply have to preserve going like that. And we want that clear sheet.”
Keeping the ball out of the again of Vancouver’s web is a significant a part of incomes the primary win of the season, the Serbian defender added.
“We have to do everything we can so we score three points on the road,” he mentioned.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (0-2-2) AT MINNESOTA UNITED (2-0-1)
Saturday, Allianz Field
THE INJURED LIST: The Whitecaps introduced earlier this week that newly acquired Venezuelan striker Sergio Cordova will miss six to eight weeks with a proper hamstring pressure. Veteran midfielder Russell Teibert will even miss Saturday’s sport with an ankle damage. Minnesota is with out midfielder Emanuel Reynoso (suspended), and defenders Bakay Dibassy (thigh) and Ryen Jiba (knee).
THE HISTORY BOOKS: United holds a 5-3-3 all-time file in opposition to the ‘Caps.
THE HELP: Midfielder Julian Gressel has contributed assists on three of Vancouver’s 4 MLS objectives this season. He’s tied with Eduard Lowen for the second most helpers throughout the league.
