VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to open their 2015 MLS regular season at 3 p.m. PT against Toronto FC (TSN and TSN 1410 radio).
Here’s the full story on Vancouver’s starting lineup.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: 4–2-3-1
1.David Ousted; 33.Steven Beitashour, 4.Kendall Waston, 44.Pa-Modou Kah, 2.Jordan Harvey; 15.Matías Laba, 31.Russell Teibert; 7.Mauro Rosales, 77.Pedro Morales, 23.Kekuta Manneh; 29.Octavio Rivero
Substitutes
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 3.Sam Adekugbe, 9.Nicolás Mezquida, 11.Darren Mattocks, 18.Diego Rodríguez, 19.Erik Hurtado, 28.Gershon Koffie
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson will start a mix of youth and experience with four players 23 or under, three players in their late 20s, all three players over 30 years old on the roster.
The starting XI includes nine returning players - Young Designated Player Octavio Rivero will be making his MLS regular season debut today at BC Place, while experienced centre back Pa-Modou Kah will be making his debut with the ‘Caps.
Six of today’s starters also started the 2014 MLS Cup Playoff match at FC Dallas: Ousted, Waston, Harvey, Laba, Rosales, and Morales. Mezquida, Manneh, and Mattocks were second-half substitutes.
Five starters also started the 2014 MLS First Kick 4-1 win over New York Red Bulls: Ousted, Beitashour, Harvey, Laba, and Teibert. Morales and Manneh were second-half substitutes.
Manneh, Koffie, and Mattocks all started the 2013 MLS First Kick 1-0 win over TFC, while Hurtado was a second half sub.
Teibert and Koffie started the inaugural Whitecaps FC MLS match back on March 19, 2011, when Vancouver defeated Toronto 4-2.
Goalkeeper David Ousted will be making his 49th consecutive MLS start, including playoffs, with the club. Ousted was the only ‘Caps player last year to start and play every minute of MLS match.
Midfielder Kekuta Manneh is appearing in his 50th MLS regular season match.
Midfielder Mauro Rosales will be making his 100th start in MLS regular season play and his 119th appearance.
On the bench, all outfield players are 24 years of age or younger.
Whitecaps FC have played 393 minutes without allowing a goal in MLS regular season action, which was the longest streak in all of MLS last year. The longest streak in Vancouver’s MLS history is 428 minutes, which was between March 10 to April 7, 2012.
Participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver! The 2015 Whitecaps FC season kicks off on March 7 versus Toronto FC at BC Place. 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, Student Half-Season Tickets, and a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket. For more information on 2015 Season Tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
