Vancouver Whitecaps FC return from a two-match road trip and will look to jump above the MLS Western Conference playoff line on Saturday when they host Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire FC in the club's ninth annual Pride Match at BC Place.
- PRIDE MATCH: First 2,000 fans get a fanny pack
- COLIN'S KEYS: Stop Shaqiri, Kid Keepers, Focus on Fire
- KID CAPTAIN: Welcome Justin to the match
The 'Caps enter with only one defeat in their past eight matches (4W-1L-3D), while Chicago have won four of their past seven matches (4W-3L-0D).
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Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Chicago Fire FC
Saturday, July 23, 2022 – 7 p.m. PT
BC Place – Vancouver, BC
BROADCAST: TSN1/4/5 - RADIO: AM730 - ONLINE: TSN Direct
Pre-match show: 6 p.m. PT (AM730), 6:30 p.m. PT (TSN4)
PUTTING OUT THE FIRE: After claiming two draws during their two-match road swing, Whitecaps FC look to continue pushing up the Western Conference standings. Chicago, who are coming off back-to-back wins over Seattle Sounders FC and Toronto FC, are set to make their first trip to Vancouver since July 2018 when the 'Caps claimed a 3-2 victory. Saturday will also mark exactly two years to the pair's last meeting at the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando, Florida, as the Blue and White progressed to the knockout round of the competition with a 2-0 win against the Fire.
PRIDE MATCH: Saturday's contest will see the 'Caps host their ninth annual Pride Match at BC Place, with several pre-match festivities set to take place. The first 2,000 fans to enter the gates at BC Place will receive a Whitecaps FC Pride mystery fanny pack, The Warmup street party will be hosted at Terry Fox Plaza while nets and corner flags will be coloured in Pride. The players will also have Pride warm-up tops, as well as a Pride coloured captain’s armband. Historically, the 'Caps have tallied a 7W-0L-1D all-time record in Pride Matches, dating back to the first edition in 2013.
PLAYOFF CHASE: As the second half of the season heats up, Vanni Sartini's side will look to continue racking up points at home in order to keep feet in the Western Conference playoff race. Going into the weekend's MLS action, Vancouver sits 10th in the West with 26 points, just one point outside the playoff places. With a win on Saturday, the 'Caps could jump into a playoff spot in seventh depending on other results across the league.
