This coming Saturday's matchup between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and San Jose Earthquakes at BC Place has all the hallmarks of a deciding battle, not only for the three points, but also for its timing for both teams, as well as the return of some key players for Vancouver after international duties. With 12 wins, 8 losses, and 6 draws, the Whitecaps want to nail a spot near the top of the MLS Western Conference standings, while San Jose tries to find some way to respond to its tough season of 20 losses.
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Vancouver: The Return of Key Players
The Whitecaps enter the weekend in the enviable position of having six players return from international duty, meaning for the first time in months head coach Vanni Sartini will have a full roster available. And that could be a game-changer. The team has been on a solid run of form of late and now has increased options to manage the physical toll of a grueling schedule that includes seven matches in just 22 days.
Notable players include Ryan Gauld, who has just made his senior national team debut for Scotland in their UEFA Nations League matches against Poland and Portugal. While Gauld didn't start, the international experience will surely add a layer of confidence in the midfielder, already a key figure in the middle of the park for Vancouver. Alongside him, forward Fafa Picault returns from a brilliant outing for Haiti in the World Cup Qualifiers, which he had two assists in victories against Puerto Rico and Sint Maarten. Picault couldn't be in better form, and expectations going into this are that he will continue to be an important figure in Whitecaps' attack.
Also back are Ali Ahmed and Sam Adekugbe, who joined Canada's friendlies, Andrés Cubas, who played for Paraguay, and Pedro Vite, who made his second appearance for Ecuador. For all these players to return to the squad, Vancouver gains not just in technical strength but also in morale, which might prove to be so important in an intense game such as this one against San Jose.
Recent History: A Confidence Boost
By looking at recent history, though, Vancouver Whitecaps have a significant edge over their hosts. When both teams met earlier in the year, Whitecaps came away with a convincing 2-0 win inspired by goals from Ali Ahmed and Alessandro Schöpf at PayPal Park. That surely would be fresh in the memory of these players and acts as a boost in confidence going into this Saturday.
On the contrary, San Jose Earthquakes is having the season to forget. With just five wins and an overwhelming amount of 20 defeats, the Californians have been bad in almost every aspect of the game. The team seems inconsistent. With one of the worst defenses in the league, they will have a big test ahead playing against Vancouver, a stronger team playing at home.
The Challenge of a Full Schedule
Though favourites, Vancouver Whitecaps will face a short-term hectic schedule as on the road to Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy- two hard away games, before embarking on a five-game home stretch, starting at BC Place. That run of games includes the TELUS Canadian Championship final against Toronto FC on September 25.
And that makes Saturday's matchup all the more important. Defeating San Jose keeps Vancouver firmly in the mix near the top of the table and provides momentum into this challenging stretch. More importantly, for the first time in what feels like a long time, Sartini will have a fully available squad in front of him, meaning rotation and not overplaying vital cogs.
Every game serves as another chance for the San Jose Earthquakes to attempt to salvage what appears to be a lost season. With just two away victories this season, San Jose heads to BC Place with limited expectations of pulling off an upset against Vancouver. However, soccer is a highly unpredictable sport at times, and a surprise victory on the road can soothe the pain for a coach and players as well.
But in order to do that, San Jose must find the solution to their defensive problems and a way to neutralize attacking threats from Vancouver. Players like Picault and Gauld are incredibly dangerous, especially in a fast counterattacking system, and if San Jose's defense doesn't organize itself, the result could easily be another heavy loss.