The 'Caps are officially above the playoff line, and they'll look to stay there with another huge road game in San Jose on Saturday when they take on the Earthquakes at PayPal Park. Whitecaps FC are one point up on Real Salt Lake for seventh, one point behind Minnesota for sixth, two points behind LA Galaxy for fifth, and just three points back of Portland for fourth.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Saturday, October 23, 2021 – 7 p.m. PT
PayPal Park, San Jose, CA
BROADCAST: TSN1 - RADIO: CKNW 980 - ONLINE: TSN Direct
Pre-match show: 6 p.m. PT (CKNW 980)
INJURY REPORT
OUT
Caio Alexandre - left foot, fifth metatarsal fracture
Tosaint Ricketts - right calf strain
DOUBTFUL
Andy Rose - left calf strain
QUESTIONABLE
Érik Godoy - right calf strain
PROBABLE
Ranko Veselinović - right groin injury
PLAYOFF PUSH: Vancouver Whitecaps FC have won their first two of five matches over 17 days and are set to take on San Jose Earthquakes this Saturday, October 23 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. Wednesday's historic come-from-behind 3-2 win over Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers has vaulted the ’Caps into a playoff spot and seventh place in the Western Conference with 43 points. The ’Caps are one point behind sixth place Minnesota United FC, two points behind fifth place Los Angeles Galaxy and three points behind fourth place Portland. Saturday’s match is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. PT and will be live on TSN1 and CKNW 980.
GOOD VANNI VIBES: Ever since taking over as acting head coach at the end of August, Vanni Sartini has led Vancouver to a 6W-2L-2D record, which is the best 10-game start for a head coach in the ’Caps MLS era. During Sartini's reign, the tinker tactician has started 22 different players, the team has scored 17 goals and kept three clean sheets in their quest to clinch a post-season berth. For his latest efforts, Sartini was named to the Week 31 MLS Team of the Week.
COMEBACK KINGS: Throughout the year, Whitecaps FC have showed resiliency time and time again to come back after falling behind. In fact, the Blue and White lead the league in points gained from losing positions with 21, tallying five wins and six draws. A big part of that has been young Colombian winger Déiber Caicedo, with eight of his twelve goal contributions this season coming in matches where the 'Caps have come back to secure points (3 G, 5 A). The 21-year-old was named to the Week 31 MLS Team of the Week for once again playing a crucial role in another 'Caps comeback on Wednesday night, where he tallied a goal and an assist. Caicedo was also named to MLS' annual 22 Under 22 list at the start of the month and leads the 'Caps in assists this season with seven.
