Vancouver Whitecaps vs.
Montreal Impact
Wednesday, August 26, 10 pm ET
BC Place, Vancouver, B.C.
Watch: Sportsnet One (CAN)
MLS LIVE (USA)
VANCOUVER, B.C. – With two crucial away goals and home-field advantage for the decisive second leg of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday at BC Place, the Vancouver Whitecaps may seem on course to lift their first Voyageurs Cup.
But the ‘Caps have been here before, and it hasn’t ended well.
While confidence is high in Whitecaps camp, they are taking nothing for granted and are approaching the game as if it’s still tied at 0-0.
"The first leg is over," Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson told reporters on Monday. "It's one game of football. We need to win the game. If we win the game, we manage to get a bit of silverware. If we don't win the game, then they take it home again."
The dilemma for Robinson once again centers around what lineup he puts on the park.
Vancouver are still very much in the Supporters’ Shield mix, and with a tough trip to Houston coming up on Saturday in MLS action, Robinson has to weigh sacrificing a bit of fitness for league play against the chance of lifting his first trophy as a manager.
"It'll be based on who I think is ready [with their] energy levels," Robinson said. "We'll put a strong team out. There will be changes, but it's a team that I think can go out and win the game."
-- MICHAEL MCCOLL | More at WhitecapsFC.com
MONTREAL – Didier Drogba will miss his first chance to play a final in North America.
A minor toe injury to Drogba has led Montreal Impact head coach Frank Klopas to play it safe and rule him out of Wednesday's second leg against Vancouver.
“Based on the doctor’s decision and speaking to Didier, that’s the best course of action,” Klopas told reporters on Monday. “Because with the injury to his toe, being on [the BC Place] turf, it could be a situation where, if he were to play, we could lose the guy maybe three to four weeks.”
Klopas is hopeful, however, that Drogba will be available for selection this Saturday in MLS action at Toronto FC.
Montreal also have to make do without their other Designated Player, Ignacio Piatti (calf), in their bid for a third Voyageurs Cup as an MLS club. Having drawn the first leg 2-2, they need to score at BC Place. Captain Patrice Bernier is back from suspension, but a heel injury could keep him out of this one, too.
-- OLIVIER TREMBLAY | More at ImpactMontreal.com
