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Vancouver's upcoming games in Puerto Rico


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Puerto Rico's packed schedule will be very helpful for the Whitecaps. Consider:

Wed 27 Aug: LD Alajuelense (Costa Rico) v Puerto Rico

Fri 29 Aug: Charleston Battery v Puerto Rico

Sun 31 Aug: Puerto Rico v Vancouver Whitecaps

LD Alajuelense are a very good club, second only in Costa Rica to Deportivo Saprissa (who won the last two CONCACAF Champions Cups). I expect the the Ricos to get spanked. They then take on Charleston and Vancouver, the two highest other USL-1 clubs. These three matches take place over five days, and the Ricos will have to travel to Costa Rica, then to Charleston, and then home to Puerto Rico for these matches. That's got to be... at least five flights in five or six days?

...and then...

Wed 3 Sept: Puerto Rico v LD Alajuelense

Fri 5 Sept: Puerto Rico v Vancouver Whitecaps

This second match might be more difficult, as it will be the third consecutive match Puerto Rico play at home (but, it will be their third match in just six days).

I suppose it will come down to squad depth. Puerto Rico do seem to have a very deep squad, having won away at Seattle 3-0 with a mostly reserve side. Wouldn't be surprised if only a minimal number of Puerto Rico players travel to Costa Rica and Charleston, and for the rest to remain at home to stay fresh for the Vancouver match. But if so, will they play a mix of their best and reserves for these three matches? Or take their best to Costa Rica and Charleston, and use mostly reserves in the first Vancouver match? Or vice versa?

The CONCACAF Champions League is surely more of a cash cow for Puerto Rico, but the reality is that they have fairly little chance of beating LD Alajuelense. Having said that, a USL playoff win is perceived as being more important than winning the regular league season, and Puerto Rico is already into the playoffs, so perhaps Puerto Rico will take their best players on the road, and play mostly reserves against Vancouver on Sun 31 Aug.

Interesting times ahead.

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quote:Originally posted by Blue and White Army

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LD Alajuelense are a very good club, second only in Costa Rica to Deportivo Saprissa (who won the last two CONCACAF Champions Cups).

Saprissa haven't won the lat two CONCACAF Champs Cups

Pachuca have

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