Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
MLS Regular Season - Week 2
Saturday, April 24, 2021 - 12:08 p.m. PT
Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV: CTV, TSN1/4 - RADIO: AM730
DERBY DAY: Following their season-opening win over Cascadia neighbours Portland Timbers, Whitecaps FC now set their sights on Toronto FC, another 'Caps rival that finished among the top teams last season. Lucas Cavallini, with five goals in his last four appearances for club and country, spearheads the 'Caps attack. TFC are coming off a derby match of their own, 4-2 losers to CF Montréal while missing a number of key players, three days after their upset victory over Liga MX side León in Concacaf Champions League play. Winners of their 2020 season finale against LA Galaxy, the 'Caps are looking to string three straight victories in league play for the first time since August to September 2017.
BACK IN ORLANDO: The site for the all-Canadian clash will be south of the border in Toronto's temporary home at Exploria Stadium. The 'Caps spent 21 days last July in Central Florida during a spirited showing in the MLS is Back Tournament. Maxime Crepeau, who suffered a season-ending thumb injury during the tourney, made his return to the pitch last week in the 1-0 shutout versus the Timbers. Cavallini, Crepeau, and Cristian Gutierrez, each key figures in the Week 1 win, were members of the Canada MNT side that won 5-1 over Bermuda at Exploria Stadium in FIFA World Cup Qualifying less than a month ago on March 26. The 'Caps have a venue record of 1W-1L, both against Orlando City SC.
IN THE MIX: Offseason acquisitions Caio Alexandre and Bruno Gaspar are expected to be available for selection after completing their quarantine and spending the week getting incorporated at training. Caio Alexandre bolsters the lineup as a box-to-box midfielder, and Gaspar plays both sides at the fullback position. Central midfielders Michael Baldisimo and Janio Bikel were solid versus Portland with Leonard Owusu out with a right hamstring strain. Gutierrez assisted on Cavallini's game-winner to earn himself a spot on the MLS Team of the Week as left back Ali Adnan was unavailable awaiting his US visa.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Jake Nerwinski's next start will be his 100th for VWFC across all first-team competitions.
Russell Teibert's next start will be his 142nd in MLS regular season play, tying him with David Ousted for second among all VWFC players. Jordan Harvey has 169.
AVAILABILITY REPORT
Injury
Derek Cornelius: Probable - right knee tibiofibular sprain suffered during Canada U-23 vs. Honduras U-23 on March 25, return to training status is day-to-day
Erik Godoy: Out - right calf strain suffered during VWFC vs. Real Monarchs on April 6, return to training status is day-to-day
Leonard Owusu: Out - right hamstring strain suffered during VWFC vs. Chicago Fire FC on April 10, return to training status is week-to-week
Tosaint Ricketts: Out - left hamstring strain suffered during VWFC vs. Real Monarchs on April 6, return to training status is day-to-day
Awaiting visa approval from US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Ali Adnan: training in Vancouver, BC
CONNECTIONS WITH TORONTO FC
Childhood friends
Canada MNT teammates Lucas Cavallini and Jonathan Osorio grew up playing together in Ontario and at Mississauga youth club Clarkson SC. Their team toured Uruguay, a trip that eventually led to spots at Club Nacional's youth system. They moved up to the professional ranks in 2012, Cavallini at Juventud in the Uruguayan Primeria Divison, and Osorio at SC Toronto in the Canadian Soccer League.
Formerly at Toronto FC
Tosaint Ricketts ('16-'18): 66 GP, 21 GS, 16 G, 2 A
Ryan Raposo and Russell Teibert each had brief spells with the Toronto FC Academy in their youth.
Former teammates
Andy Rose with Eriq Zavaleta on Seattle Sounders (’13)
Evan Newton with Justin Morrow on San Jose Earthquakes ('12-'13). TFC assistant coach Ian Russell served in the same role at SJ during those year.
Assistant coach Ricardo Clark with Michael Bradley on MetroStars ('04), with Patrick Mullins on Columbus Crew SC ('19), and with TFC goalkeeper coach Jon Conway on San Jose Earthquakes ('05)
David Egbo with Ifunanyachi Achara on Black Rock FC ('18)
Whitecaps FC Academy
Liam Fraser, who was born in Toronto, grew up in Surrey and spent time with the Whitecaps FC Academy (‘11-’12).
Extended family
Andy Rose’s wife Ryan is Michael Bradley’s sister.
Ontario
Theo Bair (Ottawa), Lucas Cavallini (Toronto), Derek Cornelius (Ajax), Thomas Hasal (Cambridge), Ryan Raposo (Hamilton), and Russell Teibert (Niagara Falls) were born in Ontario.
Canadian national team
Theo Bair, Lucas Cavallini, Derek Cornelius, Maxime Crépeau, Cristian Gutierrez, Tosaint Ricketts, Russell Teibert, Liam Fraser, Richie Laryea, Jayden Nelson, Noble Okello, Jonathan Osorio, and Jacob Shaffelburg have played for the Canada MNT.
In addition, Michael Baldisimo, Simon Colyn, Gianfranco Facchineri, Thomas Hasal, Damiano Pecile, Ryan Raposo, Ralph Priso, Julian Dunn, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, and Rocco Romeo have represented Canada at the youth levels.
SUPPORT IN STYLE
Save over 40% when you purchase a 'Caps trucker cap and a Village scarf on whitecapsfc.com/store.
