VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to take on defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy at 7 p.m. PT at BC Place (TSN1 and TSN 1410).
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; 9.Nicolás Mezquida, 77.Pedro Morales, 23.Kekuta Manneh; 29.Octavio Rivero
Substitutes
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 2.Jordan Harvey, 11.Darren Mattocks, 19.Erik Hurtado, 20.Deybi Flores, 26.Tim Parker, 88.Robert Earnshaw
NOTES:
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson makes two changes to his starting XI with midfielder Russell Teibert in for Gershon Koffie (left MCL sprain) and Kekuta Manneh in for Erik Hurtado.
Robinson’s XI will include six players 24 or under and an average age of 25 years, eight months, and five days. Nine different birth countries are represented in the starters – Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, the Gambia (2), United States, and Uruguay (2).
Goalkeeper David Ousted will be making his 53rd consecutive MLS start, including playoffs, with the club. In MLS action, Ousted is second only to New York Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles (84) in consecutive matches.
Right back Steven Beitashour makes his 119th MLS regular season appearance, including 118 starts. In 11 matches against the Galaxy, Beitashour has recorded two assists.
Centre back Kendall Waston is making his 14th start in MLS regular season play. Coming into the weekend, he was tied for the league lead with 24 headed clearances. Outside of his suspension for yellow card accumulation on October 18 at San Jose, Waston has played the full 90 in every match since his first start for the club on August 30 against Portland.
Waston's centre back partner Pa-Modou Kah will be making his 44th start in MLS and fourth against LA.
Left back Sam Adekugbe makes his fourth consecutive and sixth professional start tonight. Last season, the 20-year-old Calgary, Alberta resident started one of his four appearances.
Central midfielder Matías Laba is making his 52nd MLS regular season start tonight, his 36th with Whitecaps FC, and second against the Galaxy. His first start against LA ended in 2–2 draw at BC Place on April 19, 2014. Laba is currently second in the league with 17 tackles in four matches.
Laba’s partner in the middle, Russell Teibert, will be making his 50th MLS regular season start tonight. Teibert's lone two goals in MLS were taken against LA Galaxy back on May 11, 2013.
Winger Nicolás Mezquida, who scored his first goal of the season last weekend, will be making his seventh MLS regular season start and second at home. Last season, Mezquida’s first in MLS, he made 14 appearances, including four starts. Mezquida and striker Octavio Rivero played together with Uruguay at the U-17 level in 2009.
Attacking midfielder Pedro Morales will be making his 33rd MLS regular season start for the 'Caps. Morales has recorded back-to-back game-winning assists. The Chilean also has a team-high 10 chances created, which is the third highest total in MLS.
Winger Kekuta Manneh, who returns from a one-match suspension, is making his 53rd MLS regular season appearance and his 23rd start. Manneh leads the team with just over three chances created per 90 minutes.
Striker Octavio Rivero, who was named the MLS Player of the Month this week, has scored three goals in his first four matches. He is currently tied for first in MLS with goals (3) and game-winning goals (2). He also leads MLS in shots on goal (8) and is tied for second in total shots (15).
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.
