Saturday, February 19, 2011

Whitecaps Draw US Under 18 National Squad 2 - 2

The Vancouver Whitecaps drew the Under 18 U.S. National team 2 - 2 this morning following a 1 - 0 loss to Chivas USA on Friday. Conditions for the match were anything but stellar as 40 Mile per hour winds and driving rain hampered play. Head coach Teitur Thordarson knows all about the driving rain and wind from his time in Iceland.

Today's Starting XI
GK - Sylvestre
D (starting L-R) Wagner, Boxall, Duckett, Knight
M (starting L-R) Gashi, Davies, Brovsky, Stewart
F - Salgado, Tan

Bright Spots

The fact that the Whitecaps scored two goals is cause for a bright spot. Long Tan and Brazilian trialist Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo each scored. Tan in the first half of play (when it was dry and cloudy) and da Silva during the rain and wind.

Low Spots

The defense look rough at times (Knight, Boxall, Duckett, Wagner started) on set pieces (where a goal was scored) and on threw balls when speed played a factor. The motivation to start the game (which Teitur alluded to in his comments) was also a low spot. The roster today was built on potential signees and reserve/bench players. Not getting motivated to turn some heads and win a starting role is something of a curiousity to me.

Up Next

The Whitecaps turn their attention back to the MLS tomorrow as they face the LA Galaxy. They will play the Galaxy twice in the next three day. Expect to see Landon Donovan and Juan Pablo Angel get an least a start in those matches. The line-up should look roughly the same as it did yesterday against Chivas. See the potential starters below:

GK - Nolly
D (starting L-R) Rochat, DeMerit, Janicki, Leathers
M (starting L-R) Tiebert, Thorrington, Dunfield, Shea Salinas
F - Harris, Chiumiento

*Cannon should see some action at some point over the next two matches. Whether that's starting on Sunday or Tuesday remains to be seen.

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