VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4W-5L-4D) host New England Revolution (5W-4L-2D) in an afternoon affair this Saturday at BC Place. TICKETS: http://ow.ly/NzAp30kan2K.
KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m. PT | TV: TSN | RADIO: TSN 1040
Here are the key storylines to watch.
STORYLINES
Waston’s send-off: On Saturday, Kendall Waston will play his final match with Whitecaps FC before joining Costa Rica ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Kamara faces former club: This will be the first time Kei Kamara faces his old club in a ‘Caps uniform after spending the last two seasons with New England.
Comeback kids: The ‘Caps will be looking to get back into the win column after playing to three straight comeback 2-2 draws, most recently away at FC Dallas.
Beating the press: New England has found success this year by defending high up the field, pressuring the opponent’s back line, and forcing turnovers in the attacking third. If Vancouver can find a way to beat the press, then they should have space to attack.
KEY MATCHUP
Kendall Waston (CB) vs Teal Bunbury (FWD): In his final game before the World Cup, Waston will be tasked with shutting down Canadian-born Teal Bunbury. The 6-foot-2 striker leads New England with five goals this season, including four game-winners.
PREVIOUS RESULTS
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: 2-2 draw at FC Dallas
New England Revolution: 1-0 loss vs. Columbus Crew SC
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Kei Kamara (4 goals)
New England Revolution: Teal Bunbury (5 goals)
QUOTABLE
“There’s lots of good things and lots of things we need to improve on that have reared their ugly head again. Obviously conceding two goals was not ideal. Similar goals to what we have conceded so we need to draw a line under that. And we’ve worked on it today, as we did last week as well, but when you have three games in a week it’s hard. Lots of character shown, never giving in, two nil down with 10 minutes to go, it would have been easy to go under, but we didn’t, we kept going. We got our reward in the end.” – Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson on last weekend’s 2-2 draw with FC Dallas
