VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to take on D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. PT at BC Place (TSN1 and TSN 1410 radio). Here’s the full story on Vancouver’s starting lineup.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.David Ousted; 33.Steven Beitashour, 4.Kendall Waston, 44.Pa-Modou Kah, 3.Sam Adekugbe; 15.Matías Laba, 31.Russell Teibert; 7.Mauro Rosales, 77.Pedro Morales, 11.Darren Mattocks; 29.Octavio Rivero
Substitutes
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 2.Jordan Harvey, 9.Nicolás Mezquida, 13.Cristian Techera, 23.Kekuta Manneh, 28.Gershon Koffie, 88.Robert Earnshaw
NOTES:
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson makes two personnel changes to his starting XI from last weekend at Real Salt Lake with Mauro Rosales in for Nicolás Mezquida and Pedro Morales, who returns from suspension, in place of Gershon Koffie. Robinson also goes back to the 4-2-3-1 formation. In nine matches to start the season, Robinson has used nine different starting XIs.
Ten different birth countries are represented in the starters: Argentina x2, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, The Gambia, Jamaica, United States, and Uruguay.
Goalkeeper David Ousted will be making his 57th consecutive MLS start, including playoffs, with the club. In MLS action, the 30-year-old keeper is second only to New York Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles (86) in consecutive matches. To start the season, Ousted is first in keeper wins (5) and tied for first in shutouts (4).
Right back Steven Beitashour makes his 123rd MLS regular season appearance, including 122 starts. The 28-year-old Iranian international, along with Ousted and Waston, has played every minute to start the 2015 season.
Centre back Kendall Waston is making his 18th start in MLS regular season play. Outside of his suspension for yellow card accumulation last October, the 27-year-old defender has played the full 90 in every match since his first start for WFC on August 30 against Portland. Waston leads MLS in aerials won (37), second in clearances (61), blocks (10), interceptions (28), and fourth in duels won (56).
Waston is one yellow card away from being suspended for caution accumulation. If Waston appears in two more consecutive games without receiving a yellow card or disciplinary sanction, he will have one yellow card expunged. A player may take advantage of the “Good Behavior” incentive only once throughout the season.
Waston's centre back partner, 34-year-old Pa-Modou Kah, will be making his 47th start in MLS. Kah’s two assists tie him for the league lead with Sporting Kansas City's Matt Besler, LA Galaxy’s Omar Gonzalez, and FC Dallas’ Moises Hernandez in assists from a defender.
Left back Sam Adekugbe makes his ninth professional start tonight. Last season, the 20-year-old Calgary, Alberta resident started one of his four appearances.
Midfielder Matías Laba is making his 56th MLS regular season start tonight, his 40th with WFC. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder leads MLS in tackles (37), is fourth in the league in successful passes (335), and seventh in touches (519).
Midfielder Russell Teibert will be making his 53rd MLS regular season start tonight – all with Vancouver. The 22-year-old Canadian international is third in MLS with an 89.76 per cent passing completion rate (among players who have completed at least 100 passes).
Experienced midfielder Mauro Rosales, who was a second half sub last week at RSL, returns to the starting XI the first time since suffering a right ankle sprain just before halftime on March 14 at Chicago Fire. Rosales is making his 102nd start in MLS regular season play.
Winger/striker Darren Mattocks is making his fourth straight start of 2015 and 47th in MLS regular season action. The 24-year-old Jamaican international is second on the team in scoring with two goals and an assist.
Attacking midfielder Pedro Morales will be making his 36th MLS regular season start for WFC. Morales has a league-high three game-winning assists and is tied fourth in the league in chances created with 18.
Striker Octavio Rivero has started every match to start the season. The 23-year-old Uruguayan leads MLS in goals (5) and is tied for second most game-winning goals (2) as well as the lead in shots on goal (13).
Newcomer Cristian Techera, who joined the team last week in Salt Lake City, will be in Robinson’s 18 for the first time tonight.
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are now on sale. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
