CARSON, CALIFORNIA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to take on LA Galaxy at 7:30 p.m. PT (TSN2 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, 2.Jordan Harvey; 15.Matías Laba, 28.Gershon Koffie; 13.Cristian Techera, 77.Pedro Morales, 23.Kekuta Manneh; 29.Octavio Rivero
Substitutes
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 7.Mauro Rosales, 9.Nicolás Mezquida, 11.Darren Mattocks, 22.Christian Dean, 31.Russell Teibert, 88.Robert Earnshaw
NOTES:
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson makes five changes to his starting XI from Wednesday’s defeat in Montreal. However, there is only one change from the side that defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1 last Saturday with Kekuta Manneh in for Mauro Rosales.
Changes from Wednesday’s lineup include Steven Beitashour in for Tim Parker, Pa-Modou Kah in for Diego Rodríguez, Gershon Koffie in for Russell Teibert, Pedro Morales in for Mauro Rosales, Cristian Techera in for Nicolás Mezquida, and Octavio Rivero in for Darren Mattocks.
In 18 matches this year, including the Amway Canadian Championship, Robinson has now used 18 different starting XIs.
Goalkeeper David Ousted makes his 64th consecutive MLS start, including playoffs. The 30-year-old Dane is second only to New York Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles (93) in consecutive MLS matches. This season, Ousted is second in shutouts (6) and wins (7).
Right back Steven Beitashour makes his 125th start in MLS regular season action. The 28-year-old native of San Jose, California has two assists in 12 previous starts against LA Galaxy.
Centre back Kendall Waston is making his 26th start, including MLS Cup Playoffs and ACC, for Whitecaps FC. Outside of his suspension for yellow card accumulation on October 18, 2014 at San Jose and the first leg of the ACC against FC Edmonton, the 27-year-old defender has played the full 90 in every match since his first start with the club. The towering Costa Rican leads the league in clearances with 111 (79 of them are headed clearances, which is also the most in MLS) and aerials won (65).
Waston’s centre back partner, Pa-Modou Kah, will be making his 53rd start in MLS and fifth against the Galaxy. The 34-year-old has two assists this season.
Left back Jordan Harvey, 31, makes his 198th MLS regular season appearance and 184th start. The native of Mission Viejo, California is making his seventh consecutive start, ninth on the season, and his 18th start against LA.
Midfielder Matías Laba is making his 62nd MLS regular season start tonight, his 46th with WFC. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder is second in the league in tackles won (62) and second on the team in passing accuracy (83.87%).
Midfielder Gershon Koffie makes his 101st MLS regular season start today. The 23-year-old native of Koforidua, Ghana, who is a permanent resident of Canada, joined the club in September 2010 and has made 136 first team appearances for WFC. In nine previous matches against LA, Koffie has scored one goal and added two assists.
Whitecaps FC winger Cristian Techera makes his fourth start, including ACC, and eighth appearance on the year. The 22-year-old Uruguayan, who turned 23 earlier this week, has a goal and an assist in 294 minutes of regular season action this season.
Attacking midfielder Pedro Morales will be making his 14th start of the year, including ACC. In MLS regular season action, the recently turned 30-year-old has three game-winning assists (tied for best in the league) and leads the league in chances created (41).
Midfielder Kekuta Manneh makes his 10th start of the season. The 20-year-old is fifth in the league in completed dribbles with 26. Earlier this season, Manneh scored the game-winning goal against LA in Vancouver's 2-0 win at BC Place.
Striker Octavio Rivero, who has started all but one MLS regular season match so far this season, is behind only Ousted and Waston in minutes played with 1,255. The 23-year-old Uruguayan is tied for fourth in the league in goals (6) and tied for the lead in shots (54). Earlier this season, Rivero also scored against LA.
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.
