VANCOUVER, BC - Following an offensive breakout in their 3-2 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday, the 'Caps are back in training this week, ironing out the details to keep the pistons firing when they face Montreal Impact at BC Place on Sunday.
The priorities from the game against TFC remain, according to head coach Marc Dos Santos - being aggressive, keeping possession of the ball, and creating chances will be the best way to get a win.
“Training has been focused around that, to have more of the ball, to create more, hammering on how we can create more chances and how we can score more goals.”
Dos Santos believes that aggression in closing down spaces is something the team can continue to improve on.
Finding a steady lineup is key for the team, according to Dos Santos, and seeing the forward combination of Theo Bair and Lucas Cavallini was a positive.
“That’s what you’ll see from the Whitecaps now - playing in a 4-3-3 or a 4-3-1-2,” Dos Santos shared. “We’re going to focus on doing the little things right, the little improvements we can make, and then in front of goal, it’s just about focusing and executing.”
Defensively, centre back Derek Cornelius expects a tough game against Montreal.
“They play well in transition, we saw that in Montreal. It’s about organizing when we have the ball,” said Cornelius. "The highlight that the coaching staff brought up is getting aggressive in and around our box, and in our half and not giving their players the time to find a cross or take a shot at goal. Getting more pressure on the ball, force them back and force them away from our net."
After a tough road trip resulted in an introspection from the whole team, Cornelius is expecting to build on Saturday's performance that showed the club's potential.
"We're looking to continue to grow and to bring that same energy, the same commitment to this weekend."
INJURY UPDATE: Dos Santos was pleased to see Erik Godoy make his first appearance this season after a lengthy rehab due to his left calf and right quad injuries. "It's good to see Erik go through every exercise in training and not get setbacks, it's also good to see Janio [Bikel] growing and not get setbacks. Both are training well," said Dos Santos. He also revealed that Tosaint Ricketts is dealing with a bit of a knock but he fully expects him as well as Jasser Khmiri to be back with the team soon.
The 'Caps kick off versus Impact at 6:30 p.m. PT this Sunday, live on TSN1 and TSN Radio 1040.
