VANCOUVER, BC – After three consecutive road matches, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are back at BC Place for a three-match homestand, starting this Saturday, April 1 with an all-Canadian clash against CF Montréal. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.
- **TICKETS**: Single-match tickets starting as low as $28
- Catch all the action live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV starting with the prematch show at 7:10 p.m. PT. The game will also be available on AM730, with the radio pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. PT
The 'Caps, who will be hosting Montréal at BC Place for the first time since September 2020, are coming a pair of road draws in MLS action, claiming 1-1 results against Western Conference sides LA Galaxy and Minnesota United FC.
Meanwhile, Montréal captured a 3-2 win over Philadelphia Union in their home opener on March 18 and were on a bye in the last round of matches. Prior to the win, the side had dropped their first three matches of the regular season on the road and failed to score in each of them.
On Saturday, the 'Caps will be looking to build off their recent road performances in the hopes of securing their first win of the regular season.
To get you set for the match, we look at Montréal's players to watch, capitalizing on transition moments, and forcing mistakes with the press.
FIXTURE HISTORY
Saturday's match will mark the 98th all-time meeting between the two sides in official competition, dating back to the North American Soccer League (1981-1983) and Canadian Soccer League (1988-1992) days.
The two sides will also meet for the 14th time in MLS regular season play, with Montréal claiming a narrow 2-1 victory at Stade Saputo in the last encounter back on April 16, 2022.
As mentioned previously, the last time the 'Caps hosted their fellow Canadians at BC Place was on September 16, 2020. The Blue and White claimed a 3-1 victory that day, with Fredy Montero and Cristian Dájome finding the back of the net.
ONES TO WATCH
Ismaël Koné. Djordje Mihailovic. Alistair Johnston. Kei Kamara. Joaquin Torres.
All players that departed Montréal this past offseason and all played key roles in one of the club's best seasons in their MLS era.
In total, they tallied a combined 57 goal contributions for Montréal, leaving new head coach Hernán Losada with the challenge of finding new ways to gather offence from his squad.
So far, his key talisman has been Honduran forward Romell Quioto, someone who thrived with the likes of the above players as he tallied 15 goals and six assists in 2022.
Quioto bagged his first goals of the season in Montréal's win over Philadelphia, which included a late header to win the match for his side (timestamp: 6:15).
The Honduran brings plenty of verticality to Losada's system, using his combination of strength and pace to get in behind opposition backlines. It's also important to note Quioto can create for his teammates too, as he leads the team in expected assists.
Another player to watch on Montréal is Canadian midfielder Mathieu Choinière, who provides a dynamic, box-to-box approach in midfield.
The Homegrown player has tallied an assist, six key passes, six tackles, and 29 duels this season, appearing in all four matches.
He is prioritized with the role of making risky, line-breaking passes to help conduct his team's attacks, so if the 'Caps can prevent him from finding a rhythm in midfield, they'll be able to turn those moments into counter-attacking opportunities.
Montréal also possess one of the league's best defensive midfielders in Victor Wanyama.
CAPITALIZING ON TRANSITION
A big part of Montréal's defensive woes this season has been their susceptibility to counter-attacks and transition moments.
Through their first four matches, four of the goals they've conceded have come from opposing teams being ruthless on the counter and taking advantage of the gaps left behind by their wingbacks, given the amount of numbers Montréal likes to commit on the attack.
For example, take a look at this goal they conceded against Nashville SC below (timestamp: 0:53).
Nashville allow them to possess the ball for a while and once Montréal take a chance to go forward on the flank, Nashville squeeze in to put pressure on the ball and take away passing options. As soon as they win the ball back, they go forward to hit on the transition and make Montréal pay for not getting set up defensively to deal with the counter.
It's a combination of being direct once you win the ball to attack the spaces, but also forcing mistakes from Montréal to win the ball back.
Inter Miami created a similar scenario but higher up the pitch, with Montréal attempting to play out of the back (timestamp: 4:57).
Once the opportunity arises to win the ball back, Miami pinches into the space and are ready to go towards goal.
Make sure to catch the 'Caps face off their Canadian rivals CF Montréal this Saturday, April 1 at BC Place. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets to the match are still available at www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets. Can't make it to the match? Catch all the action live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and AM730, with the radio pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. PT.
MLS Season Pass
The 2023 season will see the debut of MLS Season Pass, the unprecedented subscription service from Apple and MLS that will have every match of the regular season, Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, and Leagues Cup – all in one place and with no blackouts. As an exclusive benefit, Whitecaps FC 2023 Season Members will receive a subscription to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as significant savings over single match tickets.
