TORONTO, ON - Whitecaps FC return to the pitch on Tuesday, restarting their MLS season with the first of back-to-back meetings with Toronto FC at BMO Field.
Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
MLS Regular Season - VWFC Match #6
Tuesday, August 18, 2020 - 5:08 p.m. PT
BMO Field, Toronto, ON
TV: TSN1/5 - RADIO: TSN Radio 1040
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the Canadian clash.
THE 'CAPS ARE BACK: Whitecaps FC take to the pitch once again following a strong finish at the MLS is Back Tournament, winning dramatically over Chicago Fire FC to qualify for the Knockout Stage, and pushing a tough Sporting KC side to the limit before bowing out in the Round of 16 via shootout.
RETURNING PLAYERS: The 'Caps turned heads in the MiB Tournament with their resilient play despite missing up to 11 players due to injury or personal reasons. A number of experienced players rejoin the squad, including forwards Lucas Cavallini and Tosaint Ricketts, centre back/midfielder Andy Rose, and keeper Bryan Meredith.
CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP: In addition to regular season points on the line, the matches between the three Canadian MLS clubs also have repercussions on the Canadian Championship. The club with the most points following these all-Canadian MLS matches clinches a spot in the 2020 Canadian Championship one-match final versus the winner of the eight-team Canadian Premier League Island Games.
RIGHT AT HOME: The 'Caps roster features 14 Canadian-born players. Seven were born in Ontario, including Canada MNT players Lucas Cavallini, Theo Bair, Russell Teibert, Derek Cornelius. Tosaint Ricketts spent three seasons at TFC, and both Ryan Raposo and Teibert spent a short stint with the TFC Academy.
KEY MATCHUPS: Striker Lucas Cavallini matches up against centre back Omar Gonzalez after playing against each other in Liga MX from 2017 to 2019. Cavallini also faces his childhood friend and Canada MNT teammate Jonathan Osorio for the first time. Fullback Ali Adnan and winger Pablo Piatti clash along the wing, and centre mid Leonard Owusu look to contain MLS assist leader Alejandro Pozuelo.
YOUNG PLAYERS TO WATCH: 21-year old newcomer Ranko Veselinovic aims to continue the solid start to his MLS career on the 'Caps backline. On the opposing side, 20-year old Ayo Akinola hopes to build on his sizzling outing at the MiB Tournament where he bagged a hat trick and a brace on consecutive matches.
