By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com
The task standing in front of Vancouver Whitecaps FC and their aim of winning a USSF D-2 Pro League championship is a big one. That task begins this week versus their fellow Cascadia Cup rivals.
A familiar - if not formidable - foe to the Blue and White, Portland Timbers not only come from the same region of North America and share the same destiny in becoming members of Major League Soccer in 2011, they have also been a consistently competitive outfit with a passionate and knowledgeable fan base.
Physically strong and willing to impose themselves on their opponents, Gavin Wilkinson's Timbers squad offer the challenge of power and size, as well as skill and ability on the soccer pitch. With the reward being a spot in the playoff semifinals, Whitecaps FC will need to quell Portland's difference makers during this week's first-round playoff series.
Particular attention is likely to be reserved for the talismanic
Ryan Pore
, who enters the playoffs on the back of a stellar second season in The City of Roses. The former Kansas City Wizards man claimed the league's Golden Boot award as top scorer with 15 goals in 2010, while he also led USSF D-2 with 35 points. The 27-year-old has also enjoyed success against the 'Caps, having scored six goals against Vancouver in the past two seasons.
Whitecaps FC centre back
Greg Janicki
is mindful of Pore's pedigree. "He just picks and chooses his spots," the defender told whitecapsfc.com. "You don't hear from him for awhile in a game, then he has the potential to hurt you coming off the left flank with runs through the middle. If he's playing in central midfield, he's good with the ball and makes good decisions."
During last Saturday's regular season finale, Portland's strength and athleticism was also evident in their striking department. Dutchman Ibad Muhamadu not only showed size and strength, but also a quick pair of heels. His strike partner,
Bright Dike
, offered a glimpse of the form that made him the ninth different player in modern Timbers history to reach the 10-goal mark for a single season. The former University of Notre Dame star has had a memorable first season as a professional, with 21 points registered in 23 regular season appearances.
At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Dike made his physical presence known to the Vancouver backline, and particularly in the second half on Saturday, as he struck home Portland's second goal in a 2-2 draw. "He's a big, strong guy," said Janicki. "You can't dive in on him, and if you try to outmuscle him in a one-on-one challenge, you may lose more times than you win. We'll have to look to stand him up, in order to nullify his threat."
Performing consistently over 180 minutes will be the key to success in this playoff series. For Whitecaps FC, the aim of achieving that consistency will require Vancouver to minimize the on-field influence of players like Pore and Dike on Thursday and Sunday.
