Welcome back for another season of our contest "Guess the Starting XI and Final Score". As always, thanks to former regular Spencer for starting this several years ago. Thanks as well to Arjon for the suggested changes to this year’s contest (so, if you don’t like it, blame Arjon!). Now, to summarize everything.
Non-MLS Details
Games Included
· Contest will consist of the CONCACAF Champions League matches against RB NY and Tigres UANL. If the Whitecaps advance, the final matches will also be included.
· Contest will consist of the 2 to 4 (hopefully 4) Canadian Championship (Voyageurs Cup) matches.
· We will keep track of only ONE ranking/standings for this contest, as there will, probably, be a maximum of 8 matches.
· If there are at least 8 matches, each contestants lowest match score will be excluded, meaning the Final Standings will consist of each contestant's top 7 match predictions. If fewer than 8 matches, all scores will, probably, be included.
How to Score Points
· Predictions will be 'valid' if posted prior to the lineup being officially announced (1 hour before kickoff).
· Participants will receive 1 point for every player correctly guessed to be in the Starting XI
· You will receive ONE bonus point if you correctly predict 10.
· You will receive THREE bonus points if you correctly predict 11.
· Participants will receive 5 points for correctly guessing the winner (or draw) of the match
· Participants will receive 1 point for correctly guessing each team's final score. ONE bonus point for correctly guessing both final scores correctly (for a total of 3).
· That means, if you correctly predict the Starting XI, Final Score, and Winner, you can earn 22 points!
Standings (All Games)
| Previous Rank | Current Ranking | Change in | User | Overall | Match 3 Points | |||
| Ranking | Score | Lineup | Bonus | Winner | Score | |||
| 1 | 1 | 0 | Tanzaniamagic | 53 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 4 | 2 | 2 | DougCuth | 47 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| 7 | 3 | 4 | AtlantisB | 45 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| 2 | 4 | -2 | MarcoD77 | 44 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | 5 | 4 | olikchivas | 43 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | Wardy1700 | 42 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| 3 | 7 | -4 | justcaps | 41 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 8 | 6 | mattock | 41 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| 11 | 10 | 1 | edmondk | 40 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 10 | 9 | 1 | smatthew | 40 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 8 | 11 | -3 | CascadiaCaps | 39 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | 12 | -7 | rtomsheck | 38 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | 13 | 0 | soccerdad66 | 38 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 16 | 14 | 2 | The Squirrel | 38 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 12 | 15 | -3 | Soccer Mum | 36 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 18 | 16 | 2 | Markuss | 35 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 19 | 17 | 2 | Arjon | 34 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 23 | 18 | 5 | BlackPanther99 | 34 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 20 | 19 | 1 | forbrydelsen | 31 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 22 | 20 | 2 | Jph003 | 30 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 27 | 21 | 6 | chuckbiscuits | 23 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 15 | 22 | -7 | Norwegian Would | 22 | ||||
| 17 | 23 | -6 | CalgaryRik | 19 | ||||
| 21 | 24 | -3 | WRCAPS | 17 | ||||
| 24 | 25 | -1 | MarcusEarth | 15 | ||||
| - | 26 | - | Westsider13 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 25 | 27 | -2 | triemer321 | 12 | ||||
| - | 28 | - | GreyHouseEffect | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | 29 | -3 | pparsons | 10 | ||||
Match Review (Tigres UANL) and Preview (Tigres UANL)
Unlike last season, everyone seems to be doing better in the NON-MLS competition than the MLS competition. Probably because Carl Robinson is fielding a better lineup in CCL. Last match, predictability resulted in 15 of the 23 participants scoring a '10' for lineup prediction. Meanwhile, only 4 participants were optimistic that the Caps would either win or draw. It didn't happen. We even had FIVE! participants (DougCuth, AtlantisB, olikchivas, Wardy1700, and mattock) correctly predict a 2-0 scoreline for Tigres. I am curious to see whether everyone can be as good this match with their predictions.
While the Vancouver Whitecaps played on Saturday night, the match was at home, so travel is not a concern. As a result, we could see a lot of the same players from Saturday slot in to the Wednesday night match. One probable change is Erik Hurtado, who was injured against LA. We don't know the extent of the injury, but safe to say he will not be featured in the match. Another change could come with Brek Shea. Having been suspended for Saturday's match, he will be the most rested and could be key. Although Nicolas Mezquida did not appear against LA, Christian Bolanos performed well in the #10 position. Does Robinson risk pushing Bolanos out wide, to where he is best, and bring in a player who has been hot and cold? Tony Tchani looked good in his short debut. Could he get the start beside Laba...maybe Laba doesn't even start (doubtful)? Finally, we have Cristian Techera. Had his best match in more than a year, and is among the leading scorers in CCL, but does he get benched? There is a lot of competition on those wings.
With the many roster decisions available, there are plenty of score possibilities. The Caps are down 2-0 and need to score if they hope to win. The team should press coming out of the gate, at home, but that could open the defense up for a counter. If Tigres were to go up 1-0, that could open the floodgates. Mind you, if the Caps could sneak an early goal, that could setup for an intense end to the match.
One last note, like with NYRB, you are predicting the score for 90 minutes, so a Whitecaps 2-0 victory is acceptable. We will exclude any extra-time and pk outcomes.
KNOWN OUT (Will be updated as information becomes available)
Injury: Brett Levis, David Edgar, Yordy Reyna, Erik Hurtado
Suspension: None
Competition Tied: Mauro Rosales (Dallas)
Get the latest Vancouver Whitecaps news with Eighty Six Forever