Caps are OK with underdog status versus Sounders
Let’s get this out of the way: the Whitecaps are the underdogs against the Seattle Sounders.
The Sounders have just been that much better defensively in 2017. But ... but ... but ...
Well, this has been the story of the MLS Western Conference race: no team really taking charge, despite looking like they were going to seize the opportunity.
The Whitecaps are as guilty as anyone of course, having stumbled over the final five games of the regular season. Seriously, one more point and they’d have had the first seed.
Don’t forget that. This team surged at the end of the summer, taking first place when no other team wanted to seize it and looked, against all odds, set to take it.
That’s also a reminder about Seattle. Sure, they thumped the Whitecaps a month ago at CenturyLink Field. But that was a rare thing for them. The Whitecaps did win 2-1 twice at B.C. Place Stadium.
And while the Whitecaps look to have every key player healthy and available, the Sounders are facing a long list of injury questions and a key suspension.
Defender Brad Evans has been dealing with a lower back issues and is almost certainly out, midfielder Osvaldo Alonso has a quad strain, while midfielders Gustav Svensson and Víctor Rodríguez both have dinged-up hamstrings. Only Alonso looks likely to play against the Caps.
And then there’s Clint Dempsey, who picked up a red card near the end of Seattle’s home win over Colorado last Sunday. If there’s a time for the Whitecaps to strike a deadly blow against a wounded beast, it’s on Sunday at B.C. Place.
“I like knocking champs off perches,” Carl Robinson told TSN after his side’s 5-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday.
But he’s also realistic about the depth Seattle has. They may be missing Dempsey, “but I’m sure they’ll bring in another top player,” he said.
“We’re playing against the champs. We know we’re going to be underdogs.”
To win Sunday, the Whitecaps will need to take care of business defensively. The Sounders still have Nico Lodeiro, their tricky playmaker, and Will Bruin, a forward who’s scored 11 times. Midfielder Cristian Roldan always brings his best against the Whitecaps too. Left back Joevin Jones has 11 assists on the year.
The Sounders are a formidable offence. Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said Thursday he wants to come to B.C. Place on Sunday with winning in mind. A conservative approach won’t go well.
“You have to try to put them under some pressure without giving away the counter,’’ Schmetzer told The Seattle Times. “You can’t give away silly fouls. That will hurt you.’’
With the second leg going next Thursday in Seattle, Sunday’s series opener is all about how many goals can the Whitecaps score, and can they stop the Sounders?
If the Caps walk away from Sunday with a two- or three-goal advantage, they’re in the driver’s seat. Any less ... well let’s just say buckle up, no matter what.