For the first time in a Major League Soccer campaign, the Vancouver Whitecaps will visit Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina to face Charlotte FC on Sunday,
The newest franchise in MLS saw their four-game winning streak at home come to an end a week ago, losing 2-0 to CF Montreal, while the Caps ended their homestand on a winning note, scoring an injury-time goal to upset Dallas 2-1 on Wednesday.
Match preview
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At the beginning of the 2022 season, the goal for Miguel Angel Ramirez and his expansion side was to be competitive.
It is safe to say that they have achieved that through their first dozen games, winning four matches, with seven of their encounters being decided by a goal or fewer.
We have seen an abundance of spirit and a tireless work rate from these youngsters which has propelled them to some unexpected triumphs.
If you had told them at the start of the year that they would be a mere two points below the playoff line, that would have suited them just fine, especially given that this is a squad who are lacking continuity in their inaugural campaign.
The continuity issue is no surprise seeing as it is a brand-new team who are still getting to know one another, however, their biggest flaw seems to be a lack of creativity in the final third, scoring the fewest goals in the league (10).
Charlotte have been very successful on their home field, partly due to the large crowds, along with the atmosphere in the Tar Heel state.
It has helped that they have got their fans into those games early on, scoring within the opening 15 minutes on three separate occasions.
They have not conceded in three of their five home fixtures, allowing only one first-half strike at Bank of America Stadium this season.
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Over in Vancouver, it seems like Vanni Sartini and his side are building a little momentum, with a win or draw in four successive encounters in all competitions, earning seven out of a possible nine points on their recent three-game homestand.
This side should be able to take plenty of confidence from their form of late, particularly on Wednesday, when they defeated a playoff team (Dallas) for the first time all season.
It was also the first time that they were able to win a game this year from a losing position, conceding late in the first half but showing plenty of resilience in the final 45 minutes.
Vancouver have done a good job when it comes to finding space in the middle of the field, and that has played a big part in their recent success.
They are missing their top playmaker Ryan Gauld, which makes their recent form much more impressive, and it should boost the morale of this group in the games to come.
Despite their improved play, they remain last in the Western Conference, mainly because they tend to press a lot higher up the field than needed, which has left them susceptible to a counter.
Interestingly the Whitecaps have not won a match this year when leading at the interval, with their last 10 goals coming in the second half.
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Team News
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Vinicius Mello remains on the sidelines for Charlotte following his left foot surgery, Chris Hegardt and Adam Armour are both recovering from left knee surgeries and Christian Fuchs will be questionable with a right thigh injury.
Jordy Alcivar will be suspended for this match due to yellow card accumulation, while leading goalscorer Karol Swiderski and teammate Kamil Jozwiak have been called up to the Polish national team ahead of their UEFA Nations League games next month.
Their new signing, Andre Shinyashiki, has made an immediate impact with his new club, scoring two goals in his last three games in all competitions, as he, Daniel Rios, Yordy Reyna and McKinze Gaines (twice) all tallied in their 5-1 victory over the Richmond Kickers last week at the U.S. Open Cup.
The Caps benefited from some sloppy play by Dallas in injury time on Wednesday, as goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer inexplicably kept a ball in play but failed to maintain possession.
That forced Edwin Cerrillo to foul Ranko Veselinovic inside the box, resulting in a penalty, which was converted by Lucas Cavallini to give Vancouver the victory.
Unfortunately, Cavallini will not play this weekend after receiving a caution in the dying stages of that match, so Brian White will likely be counted upon in the attack, and he delivered against the Toros, scoring for the second time this year.
The Whitecaps are still trying to sort out the visa situation of Paraguayan midfielder Andres Cubas, while first-choice goalkeeper Thomas Hasal has missed their last three matches in all competitions with a left-hand issue.
Vancouver were forced to do some last-minute scrambling this weekend, as back-up keeper Cody Cropper and third-stringer Isaac Boehmer are not eligible to play due to health and safety protocol, but they sorted out a loan deal for Niko Giantsopoulos from York United in the Canadian Premier League, while also signing Academy keeper Max Anchor to a temporary contract.
Caio Alexandre is still missing after undergoing left foot metatarsal surgery, Tristan Blackmon has a right knee sprain and Ryan Gauld could be out once again due to health and safety protocol.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Lindsey, Corujo, Makoun, Mora; Bronico; Alcivar, Ruiz, Bender; Swiderski, Shinyashiki
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Giantsopoulos; Jungwirth, Veselinovic, Nerwinski; Brown, Teibert, Owusu, Gutierrez; Caicedo, Dajome; White
We say: Charlotte FC 1-0 Vancouver Whitecaps
These are the two lowest-scoring teams in their respective conferences, with both sides lacking imagination and flair while also struggling to provide quality service to their attacking threats.
Having a whole week off, combined with over 30,000 fans in your corner, should be enough for the Crown to collect another three points at home against a Whitecaps team who have lost all five of their road contests this year by a combined score of 14-3.
For additional data used by our team to analyse our suggested result please click here.
Joel Lefevre
