VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are back at BC Place this Saturday, hosting Chicago Fire before heading on the road for three straight matches. Limited tickets are available: http://ow.ly/nJV830kNSyE.
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. PT | TV: TSN 2 | RADIO: 1410 AM
Here are the key storylines to watch.
STORYLINES
Playoff positioning: Both Vancouver and Chicago are just above the playoff line in their respective conferences, sporting identical 6W-7L-5D records heading into the second half of the season. The Fire enter the weekend unbeaten in five matches.
Stopping Schweinsteiger: The ‘Caps will look to contain 2014 FIFA World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger, who leads the Fire with five assists this season. Another Fire player to watch is Serbian forward Aleksander Katai, who has six goals in his last seven matches.
Dazzling Davies: Alphonso Davies continue to impress this season. Last Sunday, the recently-named MLS All-Star completed 10 dribbles against Colorado, meaning he successfully beat a Rapids player 10 times in a one v. one situation, which is tied for the MLS record.
KEY MATCHUP
Felipe (CM) vs. Bastian Schweinsteiger (CM): Felipe and Schweinsteiger, who are both team-leaders in touches and successful passes, pull the strings for their respective teams in midfield. They play a key role in controlling the tempo and putting their teammates in good positions – particularly in attacking areas. This would be the second time they face each other, with Felipe’s New York Red Bulls edging Schweinsteiger and the Fire 2-1 last April.
PREVIOUS RESULTS
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: 1-0 loss vs. Colorado Rapids
Chicago Fire: 3-2 win vs. New York City FC
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Kei Kamara, Cristian Techera (6 goals)
Chicago Fire: Aleksander Katai (8 goals)
