VANCOUVER, BC – What does Vancouver need to do to win Wednesday’s MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round playoff match against FC Dallas? (6 p.m. PT, TSN1, TSN 1040)
Which player is most important to their success? What’s the key matchup to watch?
We asked six different Whitecaps FC pundits these questions and more.
Here’s what they had to say.
VANCOUVER WILL WIN IF…
Peter Schaad (TSN Radio Vancouver): “They keep their 'Cup Final' mentality. There's an old saying, ‘Goals win games, but sound defending wins championships.’ They've proven over the last five weeks they're in that mode.”
David Norman (TSN Radio Vancouver): “They continue their good run with a well-organized defensive performance and take their chances when they come. The 'Caps will have to not only be very alert on set pieces against due to the quality of delivery from several FCD players, they will have to be cognizant of the areas where they are conceding and limit good opportunities for FCD free kicks/corner kicks. Attacking wise, Vancouver will need to find space in between Michel/Ulloa and the FCD backline to build up their attack and especially their transition counter play.”
Marc Weber (The Province): “It's a given that Vancouver will play with fire in their belly. We've seen enough evidence of that. And we know they're very capable of being defensively solid. So, really, as usual, it's down to scoring a goal. They'll win if someone comes through in a big moment, like Waston did Saturday. They won't get many chances.”
Jason deVos (TSN): “The spine of the team dominates the game. There is no secret that success in football is largely down to the spine of the team, so David Ousted, Kendall Waston and Andy O’Brien, Matias Laba and Pedro Morales all have to step up and bring their ‘A’ games. If those players perform to their capabilities, Whitecaps FC will win this game.”
Luke Wileman (TSN): “Whitecaps FC need to win the midfield battle in order to have the best chance of winning the game. We have seen recently on the road in Seattle how well Matias Laba and Russell Teibert can combine to dominate the middle of the park and stop the opposition from playing. They will need to be at their very best once again to dictate the match.”
Perry Solkowski (CTV Vancouver/TSN): “If they contain Fabian Castillo. Perez is the 'Caps killer when it comes to goals, but I think Castillo is their engine. With Beitashour out, that will become a key to the contest.”
DALLAS WILL WIN IF…
Peter Schaad (TSN Radio Vancouver): “They successfully flop, dive, complain and needle their way under Vancouver's collective skins. This has always been a nasty matchup … don't expect that to change. Nerve will win.”
David Norman (TSN Radio Vancouver): “They get their set pieces right. FCD will also need outstanding performances from Fabian Castillo and Andres Escobar, who will create opportunities for teammates and themselves with scintillating runs down the flanks. Oh, I suppose I should mention Blas Perez. He has been a handful for Whitecaps FC defenders in MLS and a good performance from him will be crucial for a Dallas result.”
Marc Weber (The Province): “They score off a set piece. I think the 'Caps can do the job defensively in open play, even though Castillo's a big threat, and more so with a re-shuffled back four. But can the 'Caps deliver on defensive set pieces?”
Jason deVos (TSN): “Blas Perez gets service from Fabian Castillo and Andres Escobar. Perez is a goal scorer, and shackling him in the penalty area is going to be vital for Vancouver. Not only do O’Brien and Waston need to come up big, the 'Caps need to deny service into the penalty area. Stop the supply line, and Perez won’t get a sniff.”
Luke Wileman (TSN): “Despite losing against Portland on the weekend, Dallas have a very good home record and much if that is down to the attacking pieces they have within their squad. If the likes of Fabian Castillo, Blaz Perez, Mauro Diaz, Andres Escobar and David Texeira are on form, they are very difficult to stop.”
Perry Solkowski (CTV Vancouver/TSN): “If the game opens up. I think they like their chances if there is room to create to many quality players up front.”
PLAYER MOST IMPORTANT TO VANCOUVER’S CAUSE:
Peter Schaad (TSN Radio Vancouver): “Pedro Morales. He's running on fumes. He'll need to totally empty the tank on a short turnaround.”
David Norman (TSN Radio Vancouver): “Kendall Waston. Waston has consistently been one of the team’s top performers week in, week out since arriving in Vancouver. He will be tasked, along with his partner Andy O’Brien, in keeping Blas Perez off the scoresheet AND is a threat at the other end on attacking set pieces.”
Marc Weber (The Province): “It has to be Morales. Just look at their record when he scores or sets up a goal, and when he doesn't. It's night and day. Saturday, he was average for 60 minutes, then came alive at the end, and they won. As Pedro goes, so go the 'Caps. Also, you know what you're going to get from Laba and Waston, etc. But what about Pedro's gas tank? In the heat?”
Jason deVos (TSN): “Pedro Morales. The skipper hasn’t been great away from home this season, and is likely suffering from fatigue after a long period without rest. But it’s win or bust for Vancouver now, and they need the Chilean maestro to deliver if they are going to progress to the next round.”
Luke Wileman (TSN): “The 'Caps have shown this season they are more than just a collection if individuals – their togetherness as a team is a big reason why they managed to qualify for the playoffs. Everyone will need to be on top of their game, and players like Pedro Morales and Matias Laba have key roles to play, but Kendall Waston is vital to the 'Caps in both penalty areas as he has shown in the recent games against Seattle and Colorado.”
Perry Solkowski (CTV Vancouver/TSN): “David Ousted. He can’t score but Ousted has something to prove. He took ownership of a poor performance last time they were in Dallas he could be the difference if his team finds him a goal.”
PLAYER MOST IMPORTANT TO DALLAS’ CAUSE:
Peter Schaad (TSN Radio Vancouver): “Blas Perez. The ‘Caps killer has already counted three vs. Vancouver this season. They can allow him any more if they want to play Seattle.”
David Norman (TSN Radio Vancouver): “Blas Perez. His commitment to scoring, his physical prowess, and his awareness in the box have made him a ‘Caps killer over the years. Whitecaps FC need to stop him from being a factor in this game.”
Marc Weber (The Province): “Easy to say Perez, because he's been a thorn in the 'Caps' side. I'll go off the board with Je-Vaughn Watson because I like the way Sebastian Fernandez has been playing of late, and Kekuta Manneh's definitely going to have something to say in this game, likely off the bench. Watson will have his hands full. Maybe even more so with Sam Adekugbe bombing down the left flank. Can he neutralize the 'Caps down that wing?”
Jason deVos (TSN): “Blas Perez. The Panamanian is a real handful. He has scored important goals against Vancouver this season, and the 'Caps will be well aware of his abilities. Being aware of them is one thing; stopping Perez from influencing the outcome of the game is another.”
Luke Wileman (TSN): “Blas Perez has been a constant threat to Whitecaps FC in previous matches over the last couple of years. He always seems to find a way to grab a goal and has three against Vancouver this season, including two in the win against the 'Caps in Frisco in September. Perez will likely be a main figure in the match if Dallas are to be successful.”
Perry Solkowski (CTV Vancouver/TSN): “Blas Perez. If he’s on, it’s trouble. If he struggles, he will spend as much time complaining and wasting energy maybe losing focus.”
KEY MATCHUP:
Peter Schaad (TSN Radio Vancouver): “Kendall Waston vs. Blas Perez. In Vancouver’s 2-0 win earlier this month, Waston clobbered Perez early. The Panamanian didn't want anything to do with him after that.”
David Norman (TSN Radio Vancouver): “Waston vs. Perez. The winner of this matchup could very well decide the outcome of this match.”
Marc Weber (The Province): “I'm cheating. Here's two. Kendall Waston v. Blas Perez. Pass the popcorn. And Fabian Castillo vs. whoever plays right back for the 'Caps. Buckle up.”
Jason deVos (TSN): “Kendall Waston vs. Blas Perez. Waston has been a revelation since joining Whitecaps FC, and has added steel at the back and an aerial threat from set pieces. If Waston can put Perez in his back pocket – and perhaps cause havoc in Dallas’ penalty area – that will go a long way towards getting the result that Vancouver needs.”
Luke Wileman (TSN): “Fabian Castillo is a difference maker for FC Dallas and finished the season with 10 goals. Much of their attacking play goes through the Colombian down the left. With Steven Beitashour ruled out of Wednesday’s match with a pulled hamstring, Ethen Sampson or Jordan Harvey will face a big test trying to stop Castillo from influencing the game.”
Perry Solkowski (CTV Vancouver/TSN): “Castillo against Vancouver’s fullbacks down the flank.”
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