PLAYERS TO WATCH

PEDRO MORALES, WHITECAPS

The playmaker out of Spain’s La Liga has been terrifi c at BC Place for the Caps, even on the diffi cult artifi cial turf fi eld, but hasn’t been as eff ective on the road where he’s struggled to fi nd room to operate. He admitted a couple of weeks ago that MLS is more physically demanding than he expected and that he has to make better adjustments when he’s so tightly marked on the road. “He’s been fantastic in certain games and in other games he’s been quiet,” said Robinson.

FEDERICO HIGUAIN, CREW

The slick Argentine has four goals and a pair of assists this season and is the key to the Columbus attack. “He’s a special player, he makes things happen,” says Robinson. “One pass, one picture and he opens up the defence. He can be quiet for 75 minutes and then he fi nds space, fi nds pockets. He’s diffi cult to mark.” Robinson says the play of Higuain and Morales will crucial. “It’ll probably be a game of No. 10s and who can have the most infl uence on the game, whether it be Higuain or Pedro Morales.”