The Vancouver Whitecaps are preparing for their next game on Sunday against the Houston Dynamo without Eric Hassli and Gerhson Koffie.
Neither player will travel with the team after receiving red cards against the New England Revolution. Hassli ejecting was particularly odd, he was ejected for the second time in three matches after removing his jersey following a goal.
“I think you can just put it down to enthusiasm and trying to do well for the club,” midfielder Terry Dunfield told mlssoccer.com. “I’m sure he’s learned his lesson now and it won’t happen again.”
Gershon Koffie // Photo: whitecapsfc.com
Add to the suspensions a line-up that is a giant question mark. Dunfield might be a game-time decision. He is likely out after a groin strain last game. Greg Janicki will miss a second straight match. Koffie was called up to play for his native Ghana in the 2011 African Youth Championship tournament.
“We have been unfortunate in having to change the lineup around several times now, and we’re only a few games in,” Head Coach Teitur Thordarson said. “Hopefully this will settle down and we can start playing with at least 70 or 80 percent of the same guys game to game.”
On the flip-side, Omar Salgado could also make his debut. The United States U-20 national team he has been playing for was knocked out of the 2011 CONCACAF Championship on Wednesday night. Left winger Russell Teibert should also be available after Canada’s U-20 team was knocked out on Tuesday.
“[Teibert and Salgado] will surely be tired after the games they’ve been playing,” Thordarson said. “On another note, they can focus on MLS now, but I haven’t decided anything yet on whether they’ll play [on Sunday].”
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