VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (6W-7L-3D) host reigning MLS MVP David Villa and his in-form New York City (10W-5L-3D) on Wednesday night in their final match before the Gold Cup break. Limited tickets are available: http://ow.ly/KWVZ30dkexN.
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. PT | TV: TSN 1/3/4 | RADIO: TSN 1040 radio
Here’s everything you need to know about the match.
STORYLINES
Bouncing back: The ‘Caps are coming off a disappointing 4-0 defeat at the hands of league-leading Chicago Fire. It’s a match they’ll certainly want to erase from their memory as soon as possible. So what needs to change on Wednesday? "We need to stop giving up silly goals," Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said on Tuesday.
Snapping the streak: NYCFC, who are a perfect 2W-0L-0D against Vancouver, enter Wednesday’s match as one of the hottest teams in MLS. A win against the ‘Caps would extend their winning streak to a club-record five matches.
Make it Reyna: Fans of Whitecaps FC have had to wait a long time to see Yordy Reyna in action, but the wait may be over. The Peruvian attacking midfielder, who suffered a broken foot in the preseason, made his MLS debut as a second-half sub over the weekend and could be in line to get some more minutes on Wednesday.
Lineup shuffle? The ‘Caps will be forced to make at least one change on Wednesday with Matias Laba suspended after picking up a red card over the weekend. Will that be the only change? Or will Robinson reshuffle the squad further? The 'Caps boss said on Tuesday that centre back Kendall Waston (left hip strain, right hand fracture) will be a game-time decision and right back Sheanon Williams is in contention as well after rejoining the team over the weekend.
KEY MATCHUPS
Tim Parker (CB) vs. David Villa (FWD): The one to watch for New York is reigning MLS MVP David Villa, who is third in the MLS Golden Boot race with 11 goals on the season. He’s also Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer – overall and in World Cup play – and has three goals in two previous meetings against Vancouver. Safe to say shutting Villa down will be priority number one for Tim Parker.
Jordan Harvey (LB) vs. Jack Harrison (RW/AM): Another big threat for New York is 20-year-old winger Jack Harrison, the number one overall selection in last year’s MLS SuperDraft. The Manchester United Academy product has eight goals and five assists on the season. “He’s a crafty, young, energetic player,” said Whitecaps FC left back Jordan Harvey, who could be marking Harrison on Wednesday. “We’ve got a similar guy in Alphonso Davies here. Thankfully I get to go up against him a little bit.”
