VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to take on D.C. United at 7 p.m. PT (TSN1, TEAM 1410) at BC Place. Here's everything you need to know about Vancouver's lineup.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 4-4-2 diamond midfield
1.David Ousted; 27.Ethen Sampson, 40.Andy O’Brien, 4.Kendall Waston, 2.Jordan Harvey; 15.Matías Laba, 30.Mauro Rosales, 31.Russell Teibert, 77.Pedro Morales; 11.Darren Mattocks, 7.Sebastián Fernández
Substitutes
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 3.Sam Adekugbe, 8.Medhi Ballouchy, 17.Omar Salgado, 19.Erik Hurtado, 23.Kekuta Manneh, 29.Nicolás Mezquida
Head coach Carl Robinson makes two changes to his starting XI that played last week against Portland Timbers with Ethen Sampson and Sebastián Fernández replacing Steven Beitashour (injured) and Kekuta Manneh.
Robinson's side will start in a diamond midfield formation with Matías Laba at the bottom and Pedro Morales at the top. Tonight will be the fifth time the ‘Caps have started in a diamond and first time since July 16 – a 1-1 draw at Toronto. Vancouver’s record when starting in a diamond formation is 1W-1L-2D.
Keeper David Ousted will be making his 39th consecutive MLS start with the club, which is the most on the team. Ousted is the only ‘Caps player this year to start and play every minute of MLS regular season action – one of six keepers in the league this season to do so for his side.
With Beitashour injured, Sampson will be making his first-team debut. He has dressed but did not see action in three previous matches – April 19 at LA, April 26 at RSL and last week against Portland. Earlier this year, the native of Mitchell's Plain, South Africa played in five preseason matches. Last year, as a member of the ‘Caps U–23 side, Sampson made seven appearances in the USL PDL and seven appearances in the MLS Reserve League.
Centre back Andy O’Brien, who joined the club midway through the 2012 season, will be making his 41st MLS regular season start. His partner, Kendall Waston, will make his second start and third appearance for the club.
Left back Jordan Harvey, who holds the club MLS record by a defender in appearances, starts, minutes played and goals, will be making his 180th MLS regular season appearance tonight. Harvey is 141 minutes away 15,000 MLS regular season minutes played.
Holding midfielder Matías Laba will be making his 40th regular season appearance in MLS and 24th as a member of Whitecaps FC.
Newest Whitecaps FC player Mauro Rosales will be making his second start and third appearance for Vancouver. Tonight will be Rosales' 91st start in MLS and his 110th appearance.
Central midfielder Russell Teibert will be making his fourth consecutive start for the first time since April when he started six straight matches. Teibert, who joined the club in August 2009 when he was 15, is the longest serving player in Vancouver.
Morales, who leads the club with seven goals and nine assists, will be making his 21st MLS regular season start tonight. The Chilean needs one more assist to break Teibert and Davide Chiumiento’s club record of nine assists in a single MLS regular season.
Striker Darren Mattocks will be making his 23rd appearance this season and is one goal shy of tying his pro career best of seven set back in 2012, his rookie season.
Mattocks will play in a two-striker tandem with Fernandez tonight. Fernández will be making his 18th start, first in the striker position, for Whitecaps FC. His previous 17th starts have either come on the right (9) or left wing (8).
Additional info:
Midfielder Gershon Koffie will miss his fourth straight match with a sprained foot.
Centre back Johnny Leverón is away on international duty playing for Honduras in the 2014 Copa Centroamericana.
Rosales is on caution accumulation warning. He needs to play one more matches before one yellow is expunged for good behaviour.
Following the match, Mattocks will leave for Toronto to join his Jamaican teammates for an international friendly against Canada on Tuesday, September 9, at BMO Field. Mattocks will return to Vancouver the following day.
It’s not too late to participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver. Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including prorated season tickets, 5-packs, student season tickets, and a youth soccer half-season ticket. Single-match tickets start at $22, subject to applicable fees. For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
