Toronto FC's Julian DeGuzman, left, might not play Wednesday in Vancouver. (Chris You/Canadian PressWill Julian de Guzman be on the field when Toronto FC visits the Vancouver Whitecaps Wednesday?
Only TFC coach Preki knows for sure, and he's not tipping his hand.
De Guzman pulled out of the warmup Saturday ahead of Toronto's 0-0 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy with a hamstring injury.
The Canadian midfielder trained Tuesday afternoon but Preki wouldn't say for sure if de Guzman would be able to play for Toronto in Wednesday's crucial Canadian club championship match.
"It is possible that Julian may be able to play," Preki told reporters.
Injured striker O'Brian White (ankle sprain) is also questionable for Toronto.
Considering the position Toronto finds itself in, Preki might not rush de Guzman and White back into action.
The Reds are firmly in control of this year's Canadian club championship (a three-team, round-robin tournament) having won both of their games and sitting in first place with six points. The Montreal Impact, with one point from three games, have already been eliminated.
'Take some risks'
The Whitecaps have one point from one match — a 1-1 draw with Montreal — and have a game in hand on Toronto, who can wrap things up and repeat as Canadian champions with a victory in Vancouver.
Even if Wednesday's match ends in a draw, Toronto could still clinch the title next week when it hosts the Whitecaps.
A win by Vancouver would make things more difficult for Toronto, a fact not lost on Whitecaps coach Teitur Thordarson.
"In the end, I think it will have to be up to us to take some risks," Thordarson told the Vancouver Sun. "We will approach the game in our usual manner but if that doesn't pay off, then we will have to take risks later in the game."
A lot is riding on this competition.
The winner of the tournament will be Canada's representative at the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League, an international club competition that crowns the best pro team in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
The CONCACAF Champions League winner then goes on to play at the FIFA World Club Championship in Japan in December 2011 against continental champions from Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. Spanish giants FC Barcelona won the 2009 FIFA World Club Championship.
