Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

March 18, 2015 Twitter

@HarJournalist Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device



VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps are preparing to play Cascadian rival the Portland Timbers on Saturday night at BC Place with a long list of players who will be absent from the fixture. Darren Mattocks, Russell Teibert Christian Dean (International Duty), Sam Adekugbe, Mauro Rosales, Marco Bustos (Injured), and Diego Rodriguez, Kekuta Manneh (Suspension) will all be unavailable.



Carl Robinson will look to bolster his teams depth with Robert Earnshaw. The now retired Welsh international was signed to a MLS contract on Wednesday and will make the team sheet on Saturday. Earnshaw joined the Caps on a preseason trial in early February, and he talked about signing with Vancouver.



"It was ideal, I'm just happy that we got there and we got the negotiations through. I'm happy that I've signed and I'm happy to be here because this is a great place to play. I'm looking forward to this challenges and it's something that excites me."



I’m very excited to officially join Whitecaps FC and be a part of this great organization,” https://t.co/pS715YdU6b @WhitecapsFC @MLS — Robert Earnshaw (@RobertEarnshaw) March 25, 2015 The 33 year-old former Cardiff City legend will provide strong leadership, experience, a goal scoring mentality, and a strong work ethic. The Whitecaps have had a void in terms of a veteran striker since the departure of Kenny Miller last spring. Robinson spoke about the role "Ernie" will have with the Whitecaps.



"He brings experience, he brings a lot of goals as well. I think he's raring to go. Having the experience since I lost Kenny Miller was important. I didn't want to rush into a decision. Bringing in Octavio has been very positive for us to help the young group of forwards that I've got. Obviously Darren's missing, Erik's still available, but we were a little bit bare. I wanted to bring in someone with the understanding of his role. Sitting down with Ernie, he knows what I expect from him. There will be times when he plays, there will be times when he doesn't play, and there will be times when he comes off the bench. It's a good signing for us."



Earnshaw started his MLS career in 2013 with Toronto FC and scored 8 goals in 26 matches. During a brief cup of coffee with Chicago, Earnshaw tallied 3 goals in 5 matches during the 2014 season. Like any excellent and talented striker, wherever Earnshaw has played he has been able to score a pile of goals.



"One of my qualities is scoring goals. If I get half a chance, a chance, I'm excited about that chance. When you put me in front of goal, that's the thing that I live for. I've scored goals throughout my career and that's one thing that I'll hopefully add. The other thing is obviously experience, but also I want to bring that passion, that character within the dressing room, and on the field help my teammates. We've got a young group."



Earnshaw has played a lot of football all over the world. If he enters the match on Saturday he will be making his latest debut into another fantastic rivalry between two terrific franchises. The Zambian born Earnshaw was complimentary and also confident in his team's abilities as he discussed playing Portland.



"Portland will be a tough test, we played them in preseason. They're a very good team. They like to pass, they work hard, but it's going to be an enjoyable game. It's going to be interesting because I think our style... I don't think they're going to like it. I don't think they're going to like to play against Vancouver Whitecaps. I don't mean that in any bad way. If we put every bit of effort there, and make us play the best way we can possibly play, we give ourselves a chance of a win."



While Robert Earnshaw is the newest Whitecaps player another attacking option was linked to the Vancouver club earlier this week.



Cristian Techera is a 22 year-old Uruguayan winger who plays for Club Atlético River Plate in Uruguay. This tweet from a Uruguayan journalist started the rumour mill and Carl Robinson was asked about the five-foot two-inch Techera.



#MercadodePases Cristian Techera jugador de #RiverPlate es nuevo jugador del @WhitecapsFC Vancouver de la #MLS Baja para Almada. — Julio César Gard (@juliocesargard) March 26, 2015 "We've been linked with a number of players over the last few weeks. I think last week I was answering a question on Bryan Ruiz. As I said there, if I want a player I'll pick up the phone to the manager and we'll try and do a deal. It's just another one and at the moment there's really more else I can say."



Vancouver has built a strong club with a lot of depth. When the Whitecaps kickoff against the Timbers that depth will be tested. The addition of Earnshaw will help balance out scoring and provide another brilliant threat up top. Portland and the rest of MLS won't be able to solely focus in on Octavio Rivero.



Notes: Robert Earnshaw will be wear kit number 88.