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FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1. B Squad

Coming off Saturday’s 3-1 loss in D.C. and with a home clash next Saturday against Seattle, it stands to reason manager Carl Robinson will go to his bench to fill out his list.

“There will be a freshness in the team,” Robinson said Monday.

2. Waston return?

Last week, Robinson hinted that Caps captain Kendall Waston might be fit enough to play on the weekend, but he didn’t. The same question mark hangs in the air midweek, but it’s possible the skipper could be back in the mix in Montreal.

If he can’t play, it stands to reason either Jose Aja or Aaron Maund will get the start at centre back. Given the three Canadians minimum in place for the championship, you assume Doneil Henry will be the other centre back.

3. Marinovic makes a comeback

Stefan Marinovic has missed 10 straight MLS games. He made the bench on Saturday. Like Waston, if he’s fit — and it’s clear he is — it stands to reason he’ll be in the lineup Wednesday, a good chance to get back in the swing of things before Saturday.

4. Keep an eye on the kids

Simon Colyn and David Norman Jr. seem like good shouts to take spots on the bench. If they get on the field, it will be a Whitecaps senior debut for each, both of whom have come through the Caps’ residency program.

The Caps also signed Michael Baldisimo, another residency graduate, to a first-team contract Tuesday and said he could be involved Wednesday.

5. Fortress Montreal

The Impact, who come into Wednesday’s game having won six of their last eight MLS games, have never lost a Canadian Championship game at home.