Preview: 'Caps set to host 50th Anniversary Match against Austin FC in front of largest crowd in club's MLS history | Watch on MLS Season Pass, TSN

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VANCOUVER, BC – After picking up four points from back-to-back road games, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5W-2L-2D) return home to BC Place this Saturday, May 4 for their 50th Anniversary Match, presented by BMO, against Western Conference side Austin FC (4W-3L-3D). The match will mark nearly 50 years to the day of the club's first match on May 5, 1974. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7:15 p.m. PT, as more than 110 alumni will take part in a pre-match ceremony. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.

A crowd of over 30,000 is expected for the match, making it the largest crowd in the club's MLS history to date.

Saturday will mark the seventh MLS meeting between VWFC and Austin. It is also the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The last meeting between the two sides came in July 2023, as a first minute goal from Pedro Vite and Sergio Córdova's first goal for the club led the 'Caps to a 2-1 victory at BC Place.

WEEKLY STORYLINES

50TH ANNIVERSARY: Vancouver Whitecaps FC are back home this Saturday to host their 50th Anniversary match against Western Conference side Austin FC, nearly 50 years to the day of the club's first match on May 5, 1974 in the North American Soccer League. More than 110 alumni will be honoured in a pre-match ceremony at pitch-level, along with plenty of other activations taking place in the lead up to kickoff. Saturday is expected to be the largest crowd in the club's MLS history and fifth straight home match with an attendance of over 24,000.

WHITE'S ON FIRE: With his goal against his former club New York Red Bulls last weekend, Brian White became Vancouver's leading goalscorer across all competitions in the MLS era with 44 goals scored since joining the club in June 2021. The forward has also had a strong-scoring start to the campaign, recording a team-leading five goals and three assists in 10 appearances across all competitions this year. In fact, seven of those goal contributions have come in White's last six appearances and he's scored a goal in each of the last four matches.

'CAPS ON A ROLL: Heading into Matchday 12 action, the 'Caps sit third in the Western Conference with 17 points, with a game in hand, and are tied for the second best goal differential in the league with +8. The Blue and White also sit at the top of several statistics in the league heading into the weekend - fourth in the league in goals per match with 2.0, sixth in the league in expected goals with 14.7, and second-least expected goals conceded in the league with 9.8 (lowest in the West).

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