PORTLAND, OREGON – After opening the Rose City Invitational with a big 5-1 win over Portmore United on Sunday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will return to action Wednesday evening against Western Conference rival San Jose Earthquakes.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. PT at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. The match will air live on TEAM 1410 AM and be streamed online at whitecapsfc.com. Updates will also be provided via Twitter @WhitecapsFC.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
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<b>Highlights: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 5-1 Portmore United</b> |
The ‘Caps are coming off their most dominant performance of the preseason – a 5-1 win over Jamaican club Portmore United Sunday in the first match of the Rose City Invitational.
After surrendering the first goal in the 26th minute, Whitecaps FC scored five unanswered markers – four which came in the second half – to secure the victory against a 10-men Portmore squad. Jordan Harvey, who notched a brace, Darren Mattocks, Nicolas Mezquida and Russell Teibert provided the scoring for Vancouver.
"Reviewing the video as a coaching staff, it’s exciting to see some of the quick attack play, how we pressed at times, and some of the possession play to break down the opposition," Whitecaps FC assistant coach Gordon Forrest told whitecapsfc.com. "Some great things are taking shape and we’ll look to take that into the game on Wednesday."
Whitecaps FC fielded a squad composed almost entirely of Major League Soccer regulars against Portmore on Sunday, which means the coaching staff will likely turn to a more youthful group on Wednesday. However, head coach Carl Robinson hinted after Sunday's match that striker Kenny Miller would return to the lineup against San Jose.
"We’ve got a number of players here so we’ll make a few changes on Wednesday to try some different combinations again and give players opportunities to put their case forward for the opening game of the season," said Forrest.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The ‘Quakes also claimed a victory in their Rose City Invitational opener, defeating the host Portland Timbers by a score of 1-0. A first-half own goal from the Timbers proved to be all San Jose needed to pick up their first win of the preseason – they entered the Rose City Invitational winless in three preseason matches.
Mark Watson’s starting lineup against Portland included a number of MLS regulars, including goalkeeper Jon Busch, centre back Clarence Goodson, former Whitecaps FC midfielder Shea Salinas, and strikers Steven Lenhart and Chris Wondolowski.
Former ‘Caps striker Atiba Harris, who the Quakes acquired from Colorado Rapids in January, also saw the pitch as a second-half substitute.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Coming into this season, the Western Conference rivals have met nine times in MLS regular season competition – Vancouver holds the edge with a 3W-1L-4D record.
Last season, the ‘Caps took the season series with a 1W-0L-2D record.
The two teams won’t meet again until May 3 at BC Place, which is Whitecaps FC’s official 40th anniversary match.
NEXT UP
Vancouver will conclude the Rose City Invitational and their preseason schedule with a Cascadia derby Saturday evening against the host Portland Timbers. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. PT at Providence Park. The match will be live on TEAM 1410 AM and whitecapsfc.com.
The Blue and White will then return to Vancouver on Sunday in advance of their season opener March 8 against New York Red Bulls at BC Place.
Whitecaps FC begin their 2014 MLS season on March 8 versus New York Red Bulls at BC Place. Season tickets start at just $349, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps also offer a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
