Quick thoughts on the New England Revolution at the Vancouver Whitecaps

So Wednesday night footy makes a return to MLS, and it is the surprising New England Revolution who find themselves in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference after 3 matches (far too early to make anything of it) and the even more surprising (really, really surprising at home) Vancouver Whitecaps.

Listen if you missed seeing the Whitecaps demolish TFC in their home opener during MLS First Kick, or their amazing stoppage time come from behind draw against Sporting KC last weekend, well you have missed a team that is simply fun to watch at home.  The Whitecaps have scored 7 goals, all at home and only two team in MLS have more (Colorado and Sporting KC), they have also given up 6 goals, so they are going to be fun to watch because you simply don't know what can happen with them.  For this match they get back their DP Eric Hassli who really looks like he may be the real deal, if he can keep his composure, but their main man is none other than Atiba Harris (yes the guy who we couldn't figure out what to do with at RSL).  Atiba has 2 goals and 3 assists for his new team in Canada, which is more that the team that left him unprotected in the expansion draft last fall, FC Dallas.  Vancouver play their home matches for now at Empire Field, but if they keep playing like they have their first two home matches, they might just have their own little empire at home.

New England is one of the handful teams in MLS that haven't lost a match yet, they are 1-0-2 and have played well enough to get a draw against the Galaxy and a win over DC United, but this weekend could only manage a draw against the Portland Timbers.  Of course when you talk about New England you are likely going to have to talk about Sharlie Joseph, who has put the preseason things behind him and has stared out great on the pitch with 2 goals and 1 assist.  I also think that it is funny that they have replaced (finally) Jeff "Big Red" Larentowicz with another big redhead in Pat Phelan, who plays just as physically as Jeff did.  Perhaps the biggest impact for New England tonight will be if Matt Reis can go in goal, if not it might be a long night for the Revs.

I don't think New England can overcome the Empire advantage, those folks have to still be going nuts from the two stoppage time goals on Saturday.  Don't be surprised if  Camilo comes in late and makes a big impact again, this one ends 2-1 for the Whitecaps.

OFF MY SOAPBOX