Stingy Whitecaps hope to continue defensive trend against Earthquakes

VANCOUVER — It’s very early in the season but the Vancouver Whitecaps have already made strides to tighten up their defensive play.

Vancouver has allowed just one goal in the three meaningful games played so far this year. The Whitecaps beat the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in a two-game CONCACAF Champions League series, then battled to a 0-0 draw against the Philadelphia Union in their Major League Soccer opening game last weekend.

“It feels great,” defender Jordan Harvey said this week. “The defensive side of things, I think we are organized. We have a defensive unit that can keep clean sheets and be hard to break down.”

The Whitecaps’ defence will be tested today when Vancouver plays the San Jose Earthquakes in a MLS match at Avaya Stadium. The Earthquakes defeated the Montreal Impact 1-0 on the strength of Anibal Godoy’s goal in their season-opening game.

Harvey said San Jose will challenge Vancouver’s defensive resolve.

“They are a hard-working team,” he said. “It’s going to be difficult to break them down.”

The Earthquakes are feeling good about themselves after starting the season with a win.

“This is the most excited I’ve been about an Earthquakes’ team since I’ve been here,” midfielder Tommy Thompson told the San Jose Mercury News.

One of the challenges for Vancouver will be controlling forward Chris Wondolowski, who has 121 goals in 260 MLS games.

“Inside the box [he] is one of the best in the league,” said Harvey. “He’s proven over the course of his career he can finish. He’ll be someone we are mindful of in and around the box.”