| 23 September 2011
TV: KONG 6/16
Time: 7:30 PM
Five games remain in the season for the Sounders and two things are for certain this week: if we win we are officially in the playoffs and with a win comes the Cascadia Cup Championship. With the Sounders pulling out two ties in the first two matches the Sounders took control after beating the Timbers 3-2 in Portland. This week the Sounders face of against Vancouver in the final game played at Empire Field.
The last time these two teams met they tied 2-2 in a wild finish with three of four goals coming in the final 10 minutes. Since then the Whitecaps have not had too much success only winning three games, tying two and losing ten.
While the team as a whole has not been too stellar, they have some good individual players. Up front their Designated Player Eric Hassli has been solid with 10 goals and even a wonder goal late that came against the Sounders. Complimenting Hassli up front is a Brazilian Camilo who has eight goals of his own. Besides these two, Vancouver hasn't shown too solid of play.
Last week the Sounders demolished DC United in a 3-0 win. This was a good bounce back after the weird 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake. While the team played well, the loss of Mauro Rosales to a MCL tear will be devastating.
Rosales is a huge factor in every game the Sounders play with 13 assists and five goals and he probably would have added a few more this week against a midfield that finds itself out of position a lot. The Sounders will also have to deal with the loss of Tyson Wahl due to the accumulation of yellow cards. While these are two major losses, the Sounders are deep enough in both positions to fill the void.
This is a huge game for both teams as is every game in the Cascadia Cup. While the Whitecaps want to defend their home for the final time, I see the Sounders wanting to raise a trophy, make the playoffs and keeping up with RSL and LA as they keep winning too. With all of this in mind, the Sounders and Whitecaps fight a hard fought 2-1 game going to the Sounders.
Go Sounders!!
