VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7W-6L-13D) will look to put themselves back in the playoff picture on Wednesday when they host San Jose Earthquakes (6W-10L-9D) in a midweek clash at BC Place. Tickets: http://ow.ly/B3lOU.
Longtime fan favourite Carl Valentine will be inducted into the Whitecaps FC Ring of Honour prior to the match. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT at BC Place. You can watch the match live on TSN1, Bell mobile devices, and TSN GO.
The match will also air live on TSN 1410 and tsnradiovancouver.ca, including a pre-game show at 5 p.m. PT and a two-hour post-game show immediately following the match.
The ‘Caps enter Wednesday’s contest one point back of rival Portland Timbers for the fifth and final playoff position in the Western Conference. Whitecaps FC also have a game in hand over Portland, which is Wednesday, meaning they still control their own destiny with eight matches remaining – each against Western Conference opponents.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
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<b>Last match: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0-0 D.C. United</b> |
Wednesday will be Vancouver’s second of three matches in the span of a week. Their most recent outing was a scoreless draw with Eastern Conference leading D.C. United Saturday at BC Place.
The ‘Caps created a number of chances in their new-look 4-4-2 diamond midfield formation but couldn’t find the back of the net against a stingy D.C. United side, who have conceded the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference this season.
It was a solid defensive performance from Whitecaps FC that saw recently acquired centre back Kendall Waston named Budweiser Man of the Match and goalkeeper David Ousted earn his eighth clean sheet of the season, which is tied for the league lead.
With former Earthquakes defender Steven Beitashour (hip) sidelined, 20-year-old right back Ethen Sampson made his MLS debut for the ‘Caps on Saturday and showed “no fear,” according to head coach Carl Robinson.
Sampson left the match in the 54th minute with cramps, however, so Robinson will have some interesting decisions to make on Wednesday if Sampson and Beitashour are unavailable. Homegrown left back Sam Adekugbe, who replaced Sampson in the second half, is also in the mix.
Meanwhile, centre back Johnny Leveron is still away with Honduras at the 2014 Copa Centroamericana and midfielder Gershon Koffie is expected to miss his fifth straight match with a sprained foot.
Also of note, striker Darren Mattocks picked up a knock in Saturday's match and has stayed in Vancouver for treatment. Mattocks was originally slated to join the Jamaican national team in Toronto for Tuesday’s friendly against Canada.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
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<b>Last match: Portland Timbers 3-3 San Jose Earthquakes</b> |
Wednesday’s match also has major playoff implications for the Earthquakes, who are fighting tooth and nail to stay alive in the Western Conference playoff race.
As it stands, the Quakes are eighth in the Western Conference with 27 points – seven points back of Whitecaps FC and eight points back of fifth-place Portland. It should be noted that San Jose has two games left against both Vancouver and Portland, which gives them the possibility to gain some ground.
The Quakes failed to gain any ground on Sunday, however, when they drew 3-3 with the Timbers after letting a 2-0 lead slip away. It was an entertaining affair that saw Portland launch a whopping 32 shots towards goal, including 13 on target.
Striker Chris Wondolowski, who has four goals in his last four matches, potted a brace for San Jose – just as he did in a 3-2 loss to Vancouver back in May. Shutting down the U.S. men’s national team striker will no doubt be a priority for the ‘Caps. The MLS veteran leads San Jose with 12 goals – the next highest player has three.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
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<b>May 3, 2014: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-2 San Jose Earthquakes</b> |
This will be the second of three meetings between the ‘Caps and Earthquakes this season. The first meeting ended in a thrilling 3-2 win for Vancouver back on May 3 at BC Place.
Pedro Morales scored two goals and Kekuta Manneh added a goal and an assist to give Whitecaps FC a 3-0 lead in the first 20 minutes. Wondolowski pulled San Jose back into the game with a brace, but the ‘Caps held on for the victory in the club’s 40th anniversary match.
Whitecaps FC hold a 4W-1L-4D record over San Jose in MLS play.
NEXT UP
Wednesday’s match concludes a three-match home stand for the Blue and White, who are off to Texas on the weekend for a meeting with FC Dallas – the fourth place side in the Western Conference.
Kickoff for Saturday’s match vs. Dallas is set for 5:30 p.m. PT (TSN2, TSN 1410) at Toyota Stadium.
It’s not too late to participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver. Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including prorated season tickets, 5-packs, student season tickets, and a youth soccer half-season ticket. Single-match tickets start at $22, subject to applicable fees. For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
