VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-7L-13D) have an opportunity to solidify their standing in the Western Conference playoff race when they meet rival Portland Timbers (8W-8L-12D) Saturday afternoon at Providence Park.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT at Providence Park. You can watch the match live on TSN1,Bell mobile devices, and TSN GO.The match will also air live on TSN 1410 VANCOUVER and tsnradiovancouver.ca, including a pre-game show at 12 p.m. PT and a two-hour post-game show immediately following the match.
The 'Caps are currently one point up on Portland for the fifth and final playoff position in the Western Conference. Both teams have six matches remaining, meaning there are still a number of points to play for. But there’s no denying that picking up a result on Saturday will go a long way in Vancouver’s push for the playoffs.
"This is playoff soccer," Russell Teibert told reporters Thursday. "This is what we live for and what we play for. It's the most exciting time of the year, aside from the playoffs itself. I know everybody can't wait. I can't wait, I'm sure the fans can't wait, this whole organization must be excited. We're one point ahead and we're going down to Portland to win."
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
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<b>Last match: FC Dallas 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC</b> |
September has been a busy month for Whitecaps FC, whose match against FC Dallas last weekend was their third in the span of eight days.
After playing to a scoreless draw with Eastern Conference leading D.C. United, the ‘Caps defeated San Jose 2-0 before falling 2-1 to FC Dallas Saturday at Toyota Stadium.
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson made multiple changes during the week due to injury, tired legs, and international duty, but the 'Caps still nearly came away with a result in each match. In the end, they were undone by a Blas Perez brace in Texas, including a first-half wonder goal.
Second-year striker Erik Hurtado returned to the scoring sheet last Saturday, picking up his fifth goal of the season. Mauro Rosales, who played centrally against FC Dallas, was awarded an assist on the goal – his first point in a Whitecaps FC uniform.
On the injury front, the 'Caps will once again be without Gershon Koffie (right foot sprain) this weekend. Robinson said the midfielder is still in a boot and is likely two or three weeks away.
Meanwhile, Steven Beitashour (hip) and Johnny Leveron (left foot spain), who suffered an injury with Honduras at the 2014 Copa Centroamericano, are day-to-day. Both defenders did some individual work with the club's physio staff Thursday at UBC.
PORTLAND TIMBERS
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<b>Last match: Colorado Rapids 2-2 Portland Timbers</b> |
After their 3-0 win over Vancouver on August 30, the Timbers have recorded back-to-back draws – a 3-3 result with San Jose Earthquakes and 2-2 stalemate with Colorado Rapids.
Those two matches have been a microcosm of Portland’s season. They’ve scored plenty of goals (their 49 tallies are third best in all of MLS), but they’ve conceded almost just as many. Only Chivas USA (51) have conceded more goals than Portland (48) in the Western Conference.
To their credit, the Timbers did shut out Whitecaps FC last month – thanks in part to the play of holding midfielder Diego Chara.
As for their attack, the player to watch is Diego Valeri. The South American playmaker, who’s tied for second in MLS with 13 assists, has one goal and five assists in his last three matches. He’s also tied with Landon Donovan for the league lead with 87 chances created.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This will be the decisive third and final match between Vancouver and Portland this season, with each team having won a game away from home. The ‘Caps won 4-3 at Providence Park back on June 1, earning their first-ever victory over the Timbers in MLS, before falling 3-0 last month at BC Place.
"I think we made them a look a little better than they were," O'Brien told reporters. "That was the biggest disappointment on that particular day. But it's a clean slate and we look forward to the game."
Vancouver’s record vs. the Timbers in MLS is now 1W-5L-4D and 34W-29L-15D all-time.
CASCADIA CUP
Defending champion Whitecaps FC (CC: 2W-1L-1D) currently trail Seattle (CC: 2W-1L-2D) by one point in the 2014 Cascadia Cup standings, though Saturday’s match is their game in hand. Portland (CC:1W-3L-1D) have already been eliminated from contention.
Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s match, the 2014 Cascadia Cup champion won’t be decided until October 10, when Whitecaps FC visit Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field.
NEXT UP
The ‘Caps return to BC Place next Saturday, September 27, to host Real Salt Lake at BC Place. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PT and tickets are still available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
Participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver! Save 12% on 2015 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets between September 26 and October 7. Fans who purchase Season Tickets by October 4 will be automatically entered to win a trip to Germany, courtesy of adidas. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, Student Half-Season Tickets, and a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket. For more information on 2015 Season Tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/12.
