Ahead of #VANvSKC, SportingKC.com caught up with co-host and contributor of the Soccer Talk Vancouver podcast, Simon Fudge, to preview tonight's match at B.C. Place. Live coverage of the match starts at at 9:00 p.m. CT on CONCACAF's Facebook Page.
What are your thoughts on Saturday’s match (Sporting KC 2-0 win over Vancouver)?
It was a comfortable win for Sporting KC. They deserved the three points, even though I didn't think Peter Vermes' side were at their best.
Much like their previous three games, Vancouver lacked energy and confidence on Saturday. A very worrying sign for many who follow the Whitecaps in the past few weeks.
What’s been the reasons for Vancouver’s recent struggles in league play?
A number of things. Defensively, the Whitecaps have surprisingly been very poor, giving up about two goals a game recently. They are also struggling to score goals as well, having been blanked in four of their last five league games.
Combined with an alarming lack of belief and confidence in their play, and Vancouver looks a team on a serious downward trend in MLS at present.
Despite those struggles, the Whitecaps did earn a 1-0 victory at Central FC (Sporting KC earned 2-2 draw). What did you take away from that result?
That they are in a good position to win Group C and make the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals in the New Year. The key will be getting results against Sporting KC tonight and away, as well as winning their home game versus Central FC.
How do you expect the Whitecaps to approach this match (leading Group C) and what’s the overall importance of CCL to the club?
Though they are keen to advance to the knockout stages, I expect Vancouver to play many of their second-string players and possibly a handful of players from their USL side Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC 2), as they did in their opening win over Central FC in Trinidad.
What lineup changes could we see for Tuesday’s match?
I expect several changes to the Whitecaps lineup, from goalkeeper up to the attack. We will likely see those who saw a little bit of action on Saturday earn a start at BC Place tonight.
What will be the key match-ups and players for Vancouver?
Look out for Spencer Richey, who might earn another start in goal, while Pa-Modou Kah and Russell Teibert will likely be given the reins as the team's leaders on the pitch. A key match-up may be Kah versus Sporting KC striker Diego Rubio this evening.
