Dwayne De Rosario has played in Vancouver before. He was just wearing different colours.
De Rosario was in the starting XI for Toronto FC, as they faced Vancouver Whitecaps FC in their inaugural MLS match at Bell Pitch at Empire Field on March 19. 'Caps fans will remember De Rosario for scoring one of two TFC goals in a 4-2 defeat to the hometown Whitecaps FC in Vancouver's historical home opener.
This weekend sees De Rosario return to Empire Field wearing the colours of New York Red Bulls after an early season transfer to the MLS Eastern Conference powerhouse. Since his arrival in New York, De Rosario has registered one goal and three assists in 755 minutes of action.
De Rosario's return also sees him face a future teammate in Whitecaps FC midfielder Terry Dunfield, as both have been selected to Canada's 20-man roster for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which is being played in the United States from June 5 to June 25.
Dunfield has been a steadying presence in the 'Caps midfield all season, registering one goal and three assists in 652 minutes of MLS action, while also wearing the captain's armband in place of the injured Jay DeMerit. His one MLS goal also came in the 'Caps home opener, a feat he would certainly like to emulate on Saturday. The CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament will be Dunfield's third stint with the team after getting his first two senior caps for Canada last year, while De Rosario has been a fixture on the Canadian squad, making his debut in 1998 at the age of 20.
Dunfield and De Rosario are not the only Canadian internationals that will appear at Empire Field on Saturday, as goalkeeper Greg Sutton will likely earn another start for the Red Bulls. In three appearances this season, Sutton has one win and two draws for a goals-against average of 1.33. He made his Canadian international debut versus Barbados in 2004.
Regardless of their upcoming national team commitments, all three will be fierce competitors on Saturday, as Whitecaps FC and the Red Bulls play each other for the first time in MLS.
