By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com
Friday night sees Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Montreal Impact renew their long-standing rivalry at Swangard Stadium.
The game is a battle between two clubs that have had similar histories of achievement and hardship. It is also a match-up of two sides with similar destinies, as Vancouver and Montreal will become the newest members of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the next couple of years.
While the comparisons between Whitecaps FC and the Impact can make a long list, there are some interesting contrasts - most notably in the make-up of the two squads this season.
The philosophy and vision of a professional soccer club can usually be measured in the way a club formulates their roster for a season of competition. When looking closely at the make-up of Whitecaps FC and the Impact in 2010, some obvious differences can be seen.
Those that follow the 'Caps have been aware of the club's work to incorporate young talent into their squad in recent seasons. While the transition to MLS has been a key objective in Vancouver's policy to go with younger players, sustaining a vibrant future - no matter the level of play - was another important aspect to the decisions that the 'Caps have taken with their roster.
Heading into their final weeks as a North American second division club, head coach
Teitur Thordarson
's squad has an average age of 23 years. Of the 28 players that are in Whitecaps FC's roster, 19 of them are under 25 years of age. This accounts for just over two-thirds of the entire roster. In fact, six Whitecaps FC players have yet to reach their 20th birthday, while four players are presently 20 years of age. Captain Martin Nash is the only 'Caps player in the active roster that is over 30 years of age.
It adds up to a team with many players that arguably have their best years ahead of them as professionals. Looking ahead to MLS in 2011, Vancouver's position with their squad is very encouraging, especially when you consider the positive contribution that many of those young players have provided this season. The fact that those young players have the ability to improve their games even more is an exciting prospect for both the club and 'Caps supporters.
While Vancouver have looked to the future with their roster building work, Montreal have stayed true to a squad with proven championship experience. With an average age of nearly 28 years, the Impact roster includes six players that are over 30 years of age and six players that are currently 29-years-old. Only five members of head coach Marc Dos Santos' team are under the age of 25, with only two of those players being under 20 years of age.
Though Montreal have struggled through much of this season, the Impact's experience is more than capable of leading them to another championship in next month's playoffs. The majority of Montreal's roster know what it takes to win in the postseason, and it is fair to expect the Quebec-based outfit will again offer a strong postseason challenge in October.
As two of Canada's three professional soccer clubs, Whitecaps FC and the Impact paint two very different pictures to soccer fans across the country. With a bigger spotlight set to shine on these two clubs, the intrigue lies in how Vancouver and Montreal actually develop as MLS clubs.
