

Posted by

Ian Clarke ,

March 6, 2015 Email

Ian Clarke



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Now that everyone's weekends can be booked for the next nine months, starting on time, the 2015 MLS season kicks off for Toronto FC and Vancouver, once again facing each other to begin the campaign. It is a contrast of two clubs, one that got it wrong personnel-wise last year and re-spent to correct it, and the other a team with more continuity through building on lesser-known names. Toronto will no doubt be looking to their newest additions to make a major impact, while Vancouver's set up requires some their existing players to step up their contributions and improve on 2014. Vancouver has not been a friendly place for TFC to begin their season and the 'Caps will be looking to continue that trend in 2015. Two losses for the Reds going back to Vancouver's inaugural season and both times the team was at the start of new eras of head coaching. Perhaps with Greg Vanney having the end of 2014 under his belt their luck will change? The Whitecaps, however, are perfect in their home openers and last season routed a very good New York 4-1 on the back of Pedro Morales. It will definitely be a tougher game, and one where Toronto's superstars in Vancouver's house could see a very even battle and result. Keep thinking

These two clubs have much to prove in 2015 and starting it on the right foot will go a long way in ensuring they are where they want to be come October. Toronto are beginning their season with several road games waiting for BMO Field to finish renovations and every point will matter, while Vancouver needs to stake a claim that they are not perennial Wild Card contenders and emerge as a legitimate playoff team. Of course all eyes are on TFC after another offseason of jaw-dropping expenditures that has seen Jermain Defoe and Gilberto become distant memories and pom-poms out for Internationals Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore. Vancouver has been much quieter looking for the South and Central American diamonds in the rough by bringing in Octavio Rivero, Diego Rodriguez, Deybi Flores and resigning Mauro Rosales. The biggest questions for Vancouver in 2015 is who will anchor the backline and who will provide the lion's share of offense? The loss of Jay DeMerit and Andy O'Brien opens a chasm of experience needed that may or may not be adequately filled by the likes of Pa Modou Kah or Kendall Waston. On the attack, it feels like it will be another year where fans will be waiting for Darren Mattocks to fulfill the potential he showed from Akron and being a top draft pick. If Mattocks and Manneh take the next step in their careers, it could be an exciting season for the Whitecaps. Added to him is potential starter Octavio Rivero who looked exciting in Uruguay but how his talents translate week in week out to MLS is what 'Caps fans will be watching. Toronto FC have fewer questions in terms of talent, but it all coming together off the hop remains to be seen. Of course, looking back to 2014 and defeating Seattle 2-1 in arguably a much more difficult environment than BC Place brings hope that kind of start can be duplicated. Perhaps the one question will be Toronto's defence and it's durability as down the middle the Caldwell/Perquis partnership has had their share of bumps and bruises over the years. Michael Bradley will likely offer cover in this area, but it would be wise for Vancouver to try and exploit this with the obvious speed advantage they will have up front. In fact, the two biggest questions will be defending between these two teams and how it can be exploited. With Vancouver having potentially one or two cards waiting to happen with Waston and/or Kah on the pitch, Giovinco could certainly draw attention with his dribbling capabilities. This can also open things up for Jozy Altidore who won't have a size advantage, but should at least be able to compete physically and find space to have attempts on goal. Toronto's weakness in past years was a lack of options in attack and this has changed in 2015 with more players able to go for goal both forwards and midfielders. The midfield battle should be an even one with Morales and Laba starring for Vancouver, while Bradley and Cheyrou will offer the talent for Toronto. The supporting cast for both will be exciting to watch as players such as Jonathan Osorio and Russell Teibert are looking to stake their claim as influential components of their respective teams. The last part to analysis is the coaching duel as both Carl Robinson and Greg Vanney have little experience at the helm, but could both have very bright futures in MLS. This will also be an area to watch as it could be a glimpse of where both teams are going both in 2015 and beyond. In the end

Toronto FC and Vancouver have a good tradition of season openers, but unfortunately for the Reds both games have been in the Whitecaps favour. However, the 2015 version of TFC are a far, far cry from 2011 and 2013 who were in states of complete disrepair. While Toronto are unquestionably the more pedigreed team on paper, Vancouver certainly have both continuity and perhaps the desire to punch above their weight and make a statement. The 'Caps will have home field advantage but Toronto's quality should be able overcome that to make it a more even competition than the last two times these teams met at the start of the season. Prediction

Toronto FC 2 – 2 Vancouver Whitecaps