Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
MLS Regular Season - VWFC Match #11
Saturday, September 19, 2020 - 6:41 p.m. PT
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT
TV: TSN4 - RADIO: TSN Radio 1040
STORYLINES, PRESENTED BY THE PROVINCE
MOMENTUM GROWING: Winners of two of their last three outings, Whitecaps FC enter the next phase of the continuation of play with momentum on their side and just two points outside the playoff picture. The 'Caps are coming off a 2W-1L-0D homestand and a strong team victory against a Montreal Impact team that was playing to vie for the 2020 Canadian Championship. In each of the three matches, the 'Caps scored the opening goal and found the net at least twice. 10 different 'Caps scored or assisted during the stretch with contributions coming from each part of the pitch.
BACKS ARE PACKED: The 'Caps head out on the road, kicking off a three-game trip with a visit to Real Salt Lake. The third of five matches in 15 days, Whitecaps FC will once again have to tap on their depth. They welcome Lucas Cavallini back to the fold after a one-match absence, and Janio Bikel looked steady on Wednesday in his first game since March 7. Ali Adnan and Leonard Owusu are expected to have fresh legs for the weekend after playing limited minutes off the bench midweek versus Montreal.
AT THE RIOT: Both sides enter the match at Rio Tinto Stadium coming off emotional games versus their respective rival clubs involving skirmishes and physical play. RSL have been up-and-down as of late, with a 3-0 win over LAFC sandwiched in between a 4-0 defeat to MNUFC and most recently a 5-0 derby loss to Colorado. Striker Corey Baird is their feature man up top with two goals and four assists in the season. At centre back for the 'Caps, Derek Cornelius has quietly put together a solid year and has started the last three games. Andy Rose had started each match of the continuation of play until Wednesday when he was on the bench. Versatile midfielder/forward Damir Kreilach, who paces the side with five goals, has been lining up as a box-to-box midfielder lately.
BY THE NUMBERS
1.09: Whitecaps FC have conceded 1.09 goals per game to RSL, tied for their best rate against any current MLS club (min. 2 GP).
100%: Russell Teibert connected on all of his 71 passes on Wednesday versus Impact, a VWFC club MLS record for most successful passes with a perfect completion rate in a single match.
10: The 'Caps received contributions from across the board during their September three-match homestand, including 10 players scoring or assisting.
Scoring summary by position (September homestand):
Fullbacks
Ali Adnan: 2 A
Jake Nerwinski: 1 G
Centre back
Andy Rose: 1 A
Centre midfielder
Michael Baldisimo: 1 G, 2 A
Leonard Owusu: 1 A
Wingers/Forwards
Theo Bair: 1 G
Lucas Cavallini: 1 G
Cristian Dajome: 1 G
David Milinkovic: 2 A
Fredy Montero: 2 G, 1 A
QUOTES ON THE ROAD TRIP
Marc Dos Santos:
“We're training Friday and leaving and there's not one player that told me that he's not going so that's not even a discussion. So right now everybody's in and everybody's available and everybody's gonna help the team.”
Russell Teibert:
“Play with the same fight. The same togetherness. The same attitude of wanting to play forward, wanting to be the aggressor, wanting to take the game to the other teams. But that's the thing, we need to fight together like we like we did (Wednesday), stick together, stick to our game plan, and look to implement the same things we did today to capitalize on chances and when we'll be okay. We just need to be a team that fights together now more than ever, especially going on the road for this long stretch.”
IF THE 'CAPS WIN, YOU WIN
With a ‘Caps win, you'll win free fries from A&W! To redeem, simply download the A&W app, add your fries and at least one more item to your cart, and then enter the code CAPSWIN at checkout.
50/50
Help at-risk youth at Covenant House Vancouver and be in with the chance to win the big prize. You don't even have to leave your sofa. Buy your tickets between 6 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. PT on matchday.
WATCH IT LIVE, PRESENTED BY PHILLIPS
Click here to find a bar or restaurant near you with the 'Caps on TV. Watch the game safely and comfortably in our pick of the best 'Caps hangouts.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Show your support for the ‘Caps at home and get featured on our social media channels by sharing a photo or video of you cheering on the boys on using the hashtags #ScarvesUp and #VWFC!
KICK CHILDHOOD CANCER
Join Whitecaps FC and Major League Soccer and help Kick Childhood Cancer this September. Fans are encouraged to support by submitting “Messages of Hope” using #KickChildhoodCancer on social media. For every Message of Hope, Continental Tire will donate $25 to fund pediatric cancer research.
GEAR UP
Shop online, or drop in to the Official Store at 385 Water Street from Thursday to Sunday. Get 50% off Hoop and Unity jerseys, and pick up a VanAqua x Whitecaps FC facemask* while you're there and help support the aquarium!
*offers not available online
