VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4W-5L-2D) host San Jose Earthquakes (2W-5L-2D) on Wednesday night at BC Place in their first midweek match of 2018.
TICKETS: http://ow.ly/e4Xm30jZTjd | KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. PT | TV: TSN 1/5 | RADIO: TSN 1040
Here are the key storylines to watch.
STORYLINES
Back-to-back: This fixture is the second of back-to-back matches at BC Place – the first time this season the 'Caps have played consecutive home games. The Blue and White will be hoping to ride the momentum from a strong overall performance and a comeback 2-2 draw vs. Houston on Friday.
Playoff foes: The two sides collide for the first time since the Knockout Round of last year’s MLS Cup Playoffs. Vancouver’s 5-0 win was the first MLS postseason victory for the ‘Caps and their biggest margin of victory in the MLS era.
Best-of-three: Wednesday’s matchup is the first of three meetings between the ‘Caps and the Quakes. They meet again on consecutive weeks on August 25 and September 1. San Jose is the only team Vancouver will face three times this season.
KEY MATCHUP
Kendall Waston (CB) vs. Harold Cummings (CB) and Florian Jungwirth (CB): In case there was any doubt, Kendall Waston proved again on Friday that he is the most dominant force in MLS. Waston was a menace on set pieces, recording a goal and an assist. He also had a goal and an assist in last year’s playoff meeting vs. San Jose. It’s already been a good week for Waston, having been named to Costa Rica’s World Cup roster and earning MLS Team of the Week honours on Monday. On Wednesday, he will make his 100th MLS regular season appearance. Can he keep the good vibes going?
DID YOU KNOW?
So far in the month of May, Whitecaps FC are averaging the most chances created per game (17) in all of Major League Soccer.
PREVIOUS RESULTS
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: 2-2 draw vs. Houston Dynamo
San Jose Earthquakes: 3-1 win at Minnesota United FC
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Kei Kamara, Brek Shea (3 goals)
San Jose Earthquakes: Danny Hoesen (4 goals)
QUOTABLE
“They’ll be full of confidence going into the game but so are we. It’s a great comeback on Friday night. Fully deserved. We should have put the game out of sight with the chances we had. We didn’t, but we didn’t give in.” – Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson
