Vancouver Whitecaps vs Tigres UANL: Bring on the knockout rounds -Pre Match Thoughts

The desire

It's the knockout stages in the Leagues Cup. As both clubs successfully booked a ticket to the Round Of 32. It was the desire that got both these teams to the knockout stages of the Leagues Cup. For Tigres they finished first in West 1 and Vancouver finished second in West 3. Hence they're facing each other in the first round of the knockout rounds, with Tigres getting all the points available and the Vancouver Whitecaps getting 4 out of 6 possible points. This will look to be a intense matchup at BC Place.

Last matchup

The last time the Whitecaps played against Tigres was in 2017. That was 6 years ago, when the Caps and the Tigres played in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Champions League. It was 2-0 for Tigres at the Estadio Universitario, and it was another win for Tigres at BC Place, 2-1 for Tigres UANL and Tigres dominated the Whitecaps to win 4-1 on aggregate. Now the Caps have arguably improved, even though that doesn't really show in the Major League Soccer standings. The Whitecaps attack is now very exhilarating. Is it the time for the Vancouver Whitecaps to get revenge for 2017, now the Caps gets ready to fight for that Round Of 16 ticket.

Atmosphere

If you're a Caps fan going to BC Place on Friday night, cheer and sing loud. As get ready for the Tigres fans shouting and singing. These Mexican fans are delirious, last game you can hear both the Southside and the Club Leon fans. In the Leagues Cup a few weeks ago, the atmosphere was fantastic. It feels like the fans will play as a 12th man for their respective clubs. For the Whitecaps you expect attendance to be pretty good compared to the games this season, a fortress will develop for tomorrow as the Southside and the Caps fans knows they have to outsing the Tigres fans. Seems like this will be a noise battle between the Canadians and Mexicans.

Tigres

Tigres is currently 5th in Liga MX with 1 wins and 2 draws in 3 matches. Tigres UANL has won both games in West 1, those wins being against San Jose and the Portland Timbers. Despite the wins, the results were close, only a one goal win versus both San Jose and Portland. 2-1 against the Timbers and 1-0 versus the Earthquakes. The 37 year old veteran for Tigres UANL, Andre-Pierre Gignac from France. As he played 6 matches in EURO 2016 for the French national team. He is now 37, a bit older but still scored against Portland in the group stages. There are a lot of threats with this Tigres team, Sebastian Cordova, Ibanez, Samir Caetano at defence and also Guzman as the goalkeeper. There are still a few that I think I haven't named yet.

Decisions for Vanni

After a 4 day break between the matches, the Whitecaps have to step up to the pitch again. With that Vanni has to make some decisions. According to the MLS injury report, Ali Ahmed is questionable and that's the only injury. Even though Veselinovic did have to get subbed off last game so I am not sure what his status is. Vanni is extremely unpredictable with his positioning and formation. I expect Vanni to play a 3 at the back in this one. Like a 3-1-4-2, 3-5-2,

3-4-1-2 or a 3-4-2-1 because of the acquisitions acquired on deadline day isn't ready to make their debut in this one vs Tigres. So you can play a 3 back, since the two full backs that they recently signed isn't available. This is also a test to play a left back and shift him a bit forward as a left wing back. I think experimenting on that with Martins and Brown might be interesting. As we can see what's the conclusion of playing 3 at the back when Adekudge and Laryea become available. With Vanni playing players at all over the place you never know!

Now towards the player decisions and key factor as a team, for the player positions, it's not stupid to ask if Boemher will start again, as Takaoka seems like he needs a break with his recent struggles. Isaac Boemher had a solid game and maybe he now has some momentum. Next decision I feel like is important is Levonte Johnson, the young Canadian that has shown potential this season. I think it's worth it to give him a start over Schopf, Schopf seems tired as I feel like his effort has regressed I think he's extremely tired and needs a break. Lastly I think we should continue playing J.C Ngando if Ali Ahmed is unavailable, if he is then it's a though call for Vanni. The Cameroonian has shown great passing skills, with nice through balls and composure. I have been impressed by Ngando as he has shown his talents, when the opportunity is given to him.

My Lineup

If I was Vanni I would play a 3-1-4-2 with the goalkeeper being Takaoka even though Isaac Boemher played well last game, the 3 at the back being Blackmon, Vesilinovic and Laborda. The CDM will be Cubas, the left wing-back will be Luis Martins and the right wing-bacm will be Levonte Johnson, even though he is playing a bit out of position, with the two center midfielders being Ryan Gauld and J.C Ngando. Gauld playing in a more defensive position, whike still having the freedom to drive forward. With the 2 up front being Brian White and Sergio Cordova. It's possible to explore the 3 at the back when Laryea and Adekugbe plays, as Javain Brown can come in for Levonte Johnson if we are leading and Vanni wants to get more defensive.

Key Player Of The Match

Tonight's key player for me is Luis Martins. This might be a terrible pick for some people. As Martins has been underwhelming so far this season. The reason I picked him is, his role on this team is in a lot of danger. Especially with the Canadian left-back Adekugbe coming in to the side. Martins will have to show Vanni what he's about in this match, or else he won't be a starter for the Vancouver Whitecaps anymore. I think Martins can put some superb crosses in for the 2 strikers to attack. Hold his own on defence. And I think he'll have a good performance in this one versus the Tigres.

Prediction

The Caps will be desperate to show what they're all about. With them being the underdogs in this game. The score at the end of 90 minutes will be 2-2 and it will be headed into penalties. I think the Whitecaps will edge it out in the penalty shootout with the experience they gained from the last penalty shootout. And the Caps will move on to the Round Of 16.

Final Score: Tigres 2-2 Whitecaps (3-4) on penalties.