The Costa Rican international, signed in the off-season as a loan player from Deportivo Saprissa, has settled well into Victory's structure and is set to play at the base of the Victory midfield.

It's expected the 27-year-old will be given the job of shutting down Sydney's most potent attacking weapon Steve Corica.

Corica, playing just in behind a youthful strikeline expected to feature teenagers Chris Payne and Adam Biddle, will bolster Sydney's attacking potency following the unavailability of John Aloisi, Alex Brosque, Mark Bridge and Brendan Santalab.

Vargas said Lopez has easily adapted to being part of the Victory group.
"The good thing about Lopez is that he speaks English so it kinda takes the pressure off me being an interpreter," Vargas told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"He can communicate with the staff and players and vice versa. He's been impressed by the way the club is run too but most of all was how much he was surprised at how close the boys are. We've got good team unity."

Victory coach Ernie Merrick has described Lopez as "very smart boy who's just slotted in. He's a no-frills, ball-winning, clever distributor of the ball."

Vargas will be looking to the likes of Lopez to stay calm in the early stages of what is usually a white-hot atmosphere in Sydney.

"We know it's going to be fast and furious early and for us it'll be important to weather the storm early."

The undermanned Sydney FC are likely to throw some very green players a starting shirt. Vargas is untroubled by the unknown factor of the likes of Chris Payne, Matt Hett and perhaps Shannon Cole.

"It won't matter if we're playing on a seasoned pro or a young boy coming through the ranks, we'll prepare the same way. The occasion will be big on the day and everyone will step up on both sides," added Vargas.

In Victory team news, Kevin Muscat will be put through his paces in the middle of the week to see if his hamstring is ready for Saturday's clash.

Sydney FC officials expect a crowd of around 20,000 for the season opener at the SFS. However, kicking off the A-League in the middle of the Olympics - a move which has some A-League officials scratching their heads - is expected to keep numbers down across the competition's opening weekend.