

Posted by

Steve Bottjer ,

May 6, 2014 Email

Steve Bottjer

On Twitter:

@BottjerRNO

The latest edition of the Amway Canadian Championship tournament is now upon us and for most people it has probably snuck on them somewhat. With TFC and Montreal struggling in league play and likely more focused on resuscitating their MLS Playoff hopes, there is something of a different feel to the tournament this year. However, silverware is silverware and the mood and feeling around the tournament will likely change significantly once the semifinal round gets going.



So as we count down to Wednesday’s kickoff of the semifinal round of the tournament, we asked a number of RedNation soccer analysts to give us their thoughts and predictions on how they think the tournament will unfold.



Har Journalist, Vancouver Whitecaps Analyst:



2014 will finally be the year the Vancouver Whitecaps win the Amway Canadian Championship. The Caps have come close to hoisting the Voyageurs Trophy, but this year will be the year that Vancouver finally gets the job done,



The Whitecaps are the deepest team in the tournament and on paper they have the best looking roster. Carl Robinson has a plethora of young talent that will be itching to show what they can do on a big stage. Kekuta Manneh, Erik Hurtado, and the Uruguayan duo of Sebastian Fernandez, and Nicolas Mezquida will earn the bulk of playing time as the Caps will look to rest the hobbled Pedro Morales and recently injured Darren Mattocks.



Matias Laba will have plenty of motivation when he goes up against his former side, Toronto FC. Gershon Koffie, and Canadians Bryce Alderson, and Russell Teibert could also see time in the midfield as Vancouver has tons of options. Veterans Nigel Reo-Coker, Jay DeMerit, and Andy O’Brien will give way to the likes of Johnny Leveron, Carlyle Mitchell and rookie Christian Dean.



In goal the depth continues with Marco Carducci expected to relive number one keeper David Ousted. The Whitecaps are a much different team under the guidance of Carl Robinson and he will make sure they don’t choke when it matters.



Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal can’t match Vancouver in terms of offense, tactics, youth, style of play and defensive structure. There is no question that the Vancouver Whitecaps will prevail and win the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship. Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps



Aaron Nielsen, MLS and NASL Analyst:



I think the outcome depends on two factors - who wants it and who has the most quality at the time to win the tournament. Arguably, it's Vancouver's turn and so far this season they have been incredibly healthy which means quality players haven't played large minutes or even been given the opportunity until this tournament. My only concern for the Whitecaps is that TFC has been a bit of a boggy team for them, especially when they have been favoured. Montreal might also go for it to compensate for their poor MLS start and the Canadian Championship can give an opportunity for Patrice Bernier to reestablish himself as "Mr. Impact". I also wouldn't count out Edmonton as their defense first mentality works great in two game knockout formats as the Ottawa Fury just learned. I think it is a very tough to call but I'll take Vancouver due to their depth and need for silverware.



Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps



Kamal Hylton, MLS Analyst and Host of the Gaffer and Hooligan Podcast:



For the last few seasons I've picked the Vancouver Whitecaps to win the Canadian Championship only to end up being wrong. However, I'm going to stick with them this season to finally raise the trophy and become Canada's representative in the CONCACAF Champions League.



Unlike in past seasons under Martin Rennie, this team under first year coach Carl Robinson has shown a good combination of depth and versatility. The additions of players like Pedro Morales, Sebastian Fernandez, Nicolas Mezquida and former Toronto FC player Matias Laba has boosted the quality of the team. It will be interesting to see how Robinson approaches this competition, as the lone MLS team yet to experience the Champions League, this should be a priority but there's always the possibility that fixture congestion will be a factor.



Overall, I believe the options in midfield and up front will compensate for a defensive unit that can be shaky and a goalkeeper that in my opinion is the weak link. The new acquisitions in combination with the continued growth of Kekuta Manneh, Eric Hurtado and Canadian Russell Teibert should give them the edge.



Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps



Ian Clarke, Toronto FC Analyst and Host of the East Side Stand Up Podcast:



I think this might be the first year that Vancouver are heading into this championship as heavy favourites. This is mostly to do with their current form, as well as the disappointing displays seen from both Montreal and Toronto FC. I don't mean to discount FC Edmonton, however, even if they get by Montreal, which is a definite possibility, I don't see them being able to take out either TFC or Vancouver.



The fact that the Whitecaps are favourites because of the poor performances of Toronto and Montreal should be taken into consideration, especially with the precedents of past tournaments. One cannot discount how awful the Reds were at the start of 2011 and 2012, yet still managed to beat what should have been a far superior Whitecaps side. With rumours that Carl Robinson might not field his best starting eleven in the opening match at Toronto, there is an opportunity for Ryan Nelsen to make a statement and use the Canadian Championship as a vehicle to get his side back into winning form.



Vancouver, of all the Canadian MLS teams, likely would be the one to really go for the CONCACAF Champions League, while I'd expect TFC and Montreal to scale back their efforts should they advance. With that being said, my instincts tell me that Toronto could once again surprise as they did from 2009-2012. Vancouver is certainly performing better, but I think TFC will take these games seriously and at least advance into the finals. Whitecaps supporters should not worry as they are looking like the only Canadian team who is capable of making the playoffs at this point, and for all three that should be the priority for 2014.



Prediction: Toronto FC



Sam Gregory, MLS and Canadian Men’s National Team Analyst:



Only two teams have competed for the Voyageurs Cup in all twelve seasons: the Montreal Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Impact have won the trophy eight times, the Whitecaps zero. It has to happen eventually right?



The Whitecaps have gotten off to a decent start to the MLS season under new head coach Carl Robinson with only two losses in their opening eight matches. Having played in Canada before, Robinson understands the importance of the Voyageurs Cup and surely understands how much Whitecaps supporters want to finally win this trophy. With Toronto's attention clearly shifted towards winning as many league points as possible before the World Cup and Montreal looking like a side incapable of winning anything, it may just be thirteenth time luck for Vancouver.



After finishing as the runner up for five years in a row, I'm picking the Vancouver Whitecaps to break the duck and win their first ever Voyageurs Cup.



Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps



Robert Cerjanec, MLS and Canadian Men’s National Team Analyst:



The 2014 Amway Canadian Championship semi-final matchups have been set, with Edmonton FC going up against the Montreal Impact, and Toronto FC facing Vancouver Whitecaps FC.



Overall in this tournament, Toronto has been very successful, having won the championship on four out of six occasions (with Montreal winning the other two). I don’t expect Toronto’s success in this competition to continue, largely because I believe that they will not be taking this tournament as seriously as they have in the past. The focus for the club needs to be on making the MLS playoffs for the first time in franchise history, not winning the Voyageurs Cup for a fifth time. If I were head coach Ryan Nelson, I would certainly try to win the tournament, but not at the risk of having it hurt the team’s playoff chances. That means no Jermain Defoe, no Michael Bradley, no Dwayne De Rosario - and limited minutes for the likes of Julio Caesar and Steven Caldwell - as these players need to be fresh (and healthy!) for the stretch run.



Conversely, I have been very impressed with what manager Carl Robinson has done to date with the Whitecaps, as they have played with great purpose and team spirit since the Welshman took over the reigns from Martin Rennie. I expect Vancouver to defeat Toronto in a competitive affair to qualify for the final, largely based on the presumption that TFC may not be fielding their strongest starting eleven.



In the other semi-final, I believe that the Impact will play with positivity and great pride against FC Edmonton. Montreal has struggled thus far in the MLS season and will be looking to restore some faith and excitement within the club and their fan-base. Edmonton was able to qualify for the semis by virtue of defeating Ottawa Fury FC, but I anticipate them being overmatched here by their Montreal counterparts. I look for the Impact to cruise to a relatively comfortable victory and return to the final for the second consecutive year.



Both clubs will be hungry to capture the title for their own reasons, but the superior form and team morale of the Whitecaps should be enough to see them past the Impact. After finishing runners-up in the last five competitions, I expect Vancouver to finally break through and defeat Montreal in a rematch of last year’s final to capture their first Voyageurs Cup in team history.



Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps



Steve Bottjer, Canadian Soccer Analyst:



While Toronto have delivered a couple of impressive performances so far, overall the Vancouver Whitecaps have been the Canadian team that has impressed me the most and that I have most enjoyed watching. Given the history of this tournament, you can’t count out any of the participants. That said, the Whitecaps appear to have the best depth and the most impressive young talent of the clubs participating. Thus, I see the Whitecaps breaking through and winning the Canadian Championship after enduring some painful previous years in the tournament.



Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps

