Vancouver Whitecaps coach Marc Dos Santos isnB次元官网网址檛 surprised at the injury bug spreading through his roster.
After all, itB次元官网网址檚 been a hectic month for the Whitecaps (3-6-4). On Wednesday, the squad will play its fifth of seven games in May when they visit the New York Red Bulls (5-5-2).
A number of key faces will likely be out of the lineup including centre back Doneil Henry, who suffered a hamstring strain in VancouverB次元官网网址檚 1-1 draw in Kansas City on Saturday.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very demanding the schedule of MLS and these injuries are going to happen,B次元官网网址� Dos Santos said after his team trained in Kansas City on Monday.
B次元官网网址淏ut it also tests the type of roster and depth that you have. And it also gives the opportunity for guys that really want to show that they belong and they deserve minutes to show what theyB次元官网网址檙e made of.B次元官网网址�
Lesser-known players have started to step up in recent matches. Rookie centre back Derek Cornelius came off the bench in SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 contest and put away a goal in injury time to help the B次元官网网址楥aps secure a crucial road point.
With so little time for players to recover, Dos Santos anticipates some more roster juggling will be necessary on Wednesday.
B次元官网网址淲e always said that everybodyB次元官网网址檚 going to be important in stretches like this,B次元官网网址� the coach said. B次元官网网址淚t challenges the depth that we have and the type of character that we have.B次元官网网址�
One B次元官网网址楥aps player hoping to figure into the Red Bulls game is Felipe Martins, who played 100 matches for New York before he was traded to Vancouver for centre back Tim Parker in March 2018.
The midfielder left SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 game with an ankle injury but said heB次元官网网址檒l be ready to play again come Wednesday. It would mark the 28 year oldB次元官网网址檚 return to Red Bull Arena.
B次元官网网址淲hen you play against your former team thereB次元官网网址檚 always extra motivation,B次元官网网址� Martins said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going to be looking, for sure, for the three points and to help my teammates.B次元官网网址�
Martins added the Red Bulls have shown growth recently, winning four of their last five games.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what I expect from New York B次元官网网址� a team that fights from the beginning to the end, a team thatB次元官网网址檚 going to give everything every time they step on the field,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd IB次元官网网址檓 pretty sure weB次元官网网址檙e going to be ready for anything they throw at us.B次元官网网址�
The Whitecaps know New York has a cannon in Bradley Wright-Phillips, who was third in Major League Soccer scoring last season with 20 goals. But the team isnB次元官网网址檛 concerned about any particular player, Dos Santos said.
B次元官网网址淭he ball scores. The ball goes in and makes a difference. So we prepare inside our model, inside our principles,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e aware of their dangerous players but we donB次元官网网址檛 focus on one guy and just that. We focus on what we do as a team collectively and weB次元官网网址檒l be ready on Wednesday.B次元官网网址�
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (3-6-4) VS. NEW YORK RED BULLS (5-2-2)
Wednesday, Red Bull Arena
DEFENSIVE OFFENCE: Whitecaps centre backs Derek Cornelius, Erik Godoy and Doneil Henry have four of VancouverB次元官网网址檚 12 goals this season. Henry was the first B次元官网网址楥ap to put up multiple goals this year.
SCORING BY COMMITTEE: The Red Bulls last 11 goals have come from 10 different players, including forward Tom Barlow who scored to lead a short-handed New York squad to a 1-0 victory over Atlanta United on Sunday.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: Four of New YorkB次元官网网址檚 five wins this season have come at Red Bull Arena.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
Like us on and follow us on .
