MONTREAL, QUE – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to take on Montreal Impact at 5 p.m. PT (TSN1/5 and TSN 1410 radio) in an all-Canadian clash at Stade Saputo.
Here’s the full story on Vancouver’s starting lineup.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.David Ousted; 26.Tim Parker, 4.Kendall Waston, 18.Diego Rodríguez, 2.Jordan Harvey; 15.Matías Laba, 31.Russell Teibert; 9.Nicolás Mezquida, 7.Mauro Rosales, 23.Kekuta Manneh; 11.Darren Mattocks
Substitutes
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 13.Cristian Techera, 22.Christian Dean, 28.Gershon Koffie, 29.Octavio Rivero, 77.Pedro Morales, 88.Robert Earnshaw
NOTES:
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson makes six changes to his starting XI from last weekend against Real Salt Lake with Tim Parker in for Steven Beitashour, Diego Rodríguez in for Pa-Modou Kah, Russell Teibert in for Gershon Koffie, Nicolás Mezquida in for Pedro Morales, Kekuta Manneh in for Cristian Techera, and Darren Mattocks in for Octavio Rivero.
In 17 matches this year, including the Amway Canadian Championship (ACC), Robinson has now used 17 different starting XIs. Today, Robinson’s XI has an average age of 25 years, 10 months, and nine days. Seven starters are 24 years old or younger.
Goalkeeper David Ousted makes his 63rd consecutive MLS start, including playoffs. The 30-year-old 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).
Rookie defender Tim Parker makes his third MLS appearance, and second start, for Whitecaps FC. The ‘Caps have yet to concede a goal in his two previous MLS regular season appearances – a 0-0 draw with Portland Timbers and 3-0 win over Philadelphia Union. Parker, who played 45 minutes for WFC2 on Sunday, was also the starting centre back in both of Vancouver’s ACC matches against NASL side FC Edmonton.
Centre back Kendall Waston is making his 25th 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. The towering Costa Rican leads the league in clearances with 107 (76 of them are headed clearances, which is also the most in MLS) and aerials won (60).
Waston’s centre back partner, Diego Rodríguez, makes his third start after missing eight matches with a quad strain suffered against Columbus Crew back on April 8. Rodríguez has started the last two Sundays with WFC2 at UBC Thunderbird Stadium, not conceding a goal during his 108 minutes of action.
Left back Jordan Harvey makes his 197th MLS regular season appearance and 183rd start. The native of Mission Viejo, California is making his sixth consecutive start and seventh on the season.
Midfielder Matías Laba is making his 61st MLS regular season start tonight, his 45th with Whitecaps FC. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder is second in the league in tackles won (54) and second on the team in passing accuracy (84.05 per cent).
Midfielder Russell Teibert will be making his 11th start, and 12th appearance, on the year, which includes one start in the Amway Canadian Championship. Teibert missed the last two matches with a left hip strain. The Whitecaps FC Residency grad was called up to the Canadian national team for their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers versus Dominica this month. Teibert will join head coach Benito Floro’s side following Saturday’s match at LA Galaxy.
Midfielder Mauro Rosales makes his third consecutive start since returning to the XI after suffering a right quad strain early in the home match against Philadelphia Union on May 9. The 34-year old native of Villa Maria, Argentina makes his 107th start in MLS and eighth on the season.
Midfielder Nicolás Mezquida makes his eighth appearance and sixth start on the year for Whitecaps FC – not including his two ACC starts. This will be the 23-year-old's first MLS regular season start since the 'Caps defeated RSL on April 18.
Midfielder Kekuta Manneh makes his ninth start of the season and 28th in MLS regular season career. The 20-year-old has started four of Vancouver’s last five MLS matches.
Striker Darren Mattocks is making his sixth start on the year (not including both ACC matches) and first as the lone striker in Robinson’s 4-2-3-1 formation in MLS regular season action. The 24-year-old was named to Jamaica's roster for the 2015 Copa América yesterday, and will join his national team following Saturday’s match at LA Galaxy.
Additional match notes:
After 14 matches, Whitecaps FC have earned 23 points with a 7W-5L-2D record, which is one point more than last season after the same number of matches.
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.
