VANCOUVER, B.C. - TWhitecaps FC will head down to Georgia today with Atlanta United FC on their minds. The 2-0-0 Whitecaps will battle 1-1-0 Atlanta on Saturday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It's going to be a clash of two high calibre offences that are sure to put on a goal-scoring clinic.
Vancouver is coming off a 2-1 win away to Houston at the weekend. Brek Shea broke down the flank, and scored the match-winner in the 49' minute. The big Texan is looking forward to playing in Hotlanta against another heavily offensive minded team.
"They're a good team, obviously a very attacking team," Shea said following training this week. "They have a lot of good flare, and a lot of good players. I think we're a good defensive team, and a good team overall. I'm excited to go down there, see that stadium, and play against them in their house."
Shea won't be tasked with the defensive responsibilities of slowing down Atlanta United's scoring quartet of Miguel Almirón, Josef Martinez, Tito Villalba, and offseason acquisition Darlington Nagbe. That duty will likely fall to the Vancouver centre-back duo of Kendall Waston and Aaron Maund. It's a formidable task for the new pairing.
The 27 year-old Maund, is expecting a highly competitive match, but hopefully one that doesn't feature as many goals, as prognosticators and supporters are expecting.
"Hopefully one with not as many goals as they would like to score," Maund said following training this week. "No goals hopefully for them, but we'll see. You never know going into it, but you hope we can lock it down defensively and keep them limited."
The Caps are in form opening the 2018 campaign with back to back victories, all be it against Montreal, and Houston. Atlanta will most certainly offer the stiffest test in the first month of the season. Atlanta can certainly put on a track meet. Vancouver will either have to sit back and defend, or dare to go shot for shot, and toe to toe with the foe.
Atlanta United FC is a team trending up. Coach Tata Martino has all the pieces needed to make significant noise in the MLS eastern conference this season. This is the biggest test early in the season for Whitecaps FC.
"I don't know if you could say that," Maund said cautiously. "It's just the biggest game, because it's our next game. I know it's cliché, but we're trying to just focus on the next one, and Atlanta's up next."
If Vancouver is to continue with a 3-0-0 record they're going to need contributions from everyone. Kei Kamara's torrid start to the season with a pair of goals is fantastic, but it's not realistic that he will be able to carry the Caps on his 33 year-old back, all season.
Brek Shea has something to prove. He was virtually run out of Vancouver during the offseason by fans, and media, but yet he's still with Whitecaps FC. He's on a hefty contract and eager to show that he can earn valuable minutes, and contribute.
Whitecaps FC's abundance of options on the wing do not leave much of an opportunity for a dip in form. Shea is off to a lovely start, fighting for minutes, and looking to make a positive impression in keeping his name on Coach Carl Robinson's team-sheet.
"Yeah, I think that's a big part of the gaffer's idea," said Shea. "To have competition in each spot, which is good. It makes people fight, want to be better, and push each other. Obviously, I'm trying to get better each and every day, and hopefully the team is all together."
This is going to be a significant season for the likes of Aaron Maund and Brek Shea. They both came over to Vancouver last season, and struggled to find playing time in the Caps lineup. Fast forward to 2018, and they're both getting important first team minutes. Thus far, both have shown they are capable of stepping up and delivering.
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