VANCOUVER, BC – After a thrilling comeback win over Real Salt Lake, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (9W-8L-13D) will look to keep things rolling on Saturday when they host FC Dallas (14W-10L-6D) at BC Place. Tickets: http://ow.ly/CavCQ.
Kickoff for Saturday’s match set for 4 p.m. PT at BC Place. You can watch the match live on TSN2,Bell mobile devices, and TSN GO.The match will also air live on TSN 1040 and tsnradiovancouver.ca, including a pre-game show at 2 p.m. PT and a two-hour post-game show (online only) immediately following the match.
The late Domenic Mobilio will be inducted into the Whitecaps FC Ring of Honour prior to the match. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 3:55 p.m. for the induction ceremony.
With the final month of the 2014 MLS season now upon us, Whitecaps FC sit in sole possession of the fifth and final playoff position in the Western Conference. The ‘Caps enter the weekend one point up on rival Portland Timbers, who visit San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.
Both teams have just four matches remaining.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
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<b>Last match: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-1 Real Salt Lake</b> |
The ‘Caps put themselves back into a playoff position last weekend with a 2-1 win over RSL. After going down in the 57th minute, Whitecaps FC captain Pedro Morales bagged a second-half brace to lead the Blue and White to victory.
Morales now has 10 goals and 10 assists, which are both team-highs, making him the first Whitecaps FC player to reach double digits in both categories in a single MLS season.
It’s been a long season for Morales, who has played about 15 months straight dating back to the 2013-14 La Liga campaign, but as head coach Carl Robinson put it, the Chilean is “raring to go” this weekend.
“I know I’ve had a long season, but I feel good,” Morales told reporters in English on Friday. “My legs are good. Every game is different. I want to play here and forget my situation regarding fatigue … it’s a massive game for us.”
Like Morales, another player who will likely see the pitch on Saturday is second-year striker/winger Kekuta Manneh, who actually scored his first-ever goal against Dallas last season. The 19-year-old Gambian played 13 minutes last weekend and made an immediate impact, recording an assist on Morales’ game-winning goal.
“I think everyone saw on Saturday what he can do and he’s followed that up with a good week of training,” Robinson said. “Kekuta will play at some stage of the game, whether it be from the start or coming off the bench. If he continue to play at those levels, he’s not only exciting to watch but he’ll be a nightmare to play against.”
After back-to-back wins at BC Place, the ‘Caps will look to continue their strong home form Saturday against Dallas. The Blue and White now undefeated in their last three home matches, outscoring their opponents 4-1 in the process.
FC DALLAS
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<b>Last match: FC Dallas 3-1 Seattle Sounders FC</b> |
The Hoops enter Saturday’s contest fourth in the Western Conference, eight points up on fifth-place Vancouver and just one point behind third-place Real Salt Lake.
After going on a 10-match unbeaten run through the months of June, July, and most of August, Oscar Pareja’s side had mixed results in September, posting a 2W-2L-0D record.
Their most recent result was a 3-1 win over first-place Seattle Sounders FC. Striker David Texeira led the way for Dallas with a brace. Texeira was paired up top with striker Blas Perez, who also found the back of the net. The Panamanian now has a team-high 10 goals, including four in his last three games and three in two matches against Vancouver.
Dallas’ roster features three players named to Major League Soccer’s 24 under 24 list, second to only Whitecaps FC, but two of them could be sidelined this weekend. Argentine midfielder Mauro Diaz (hamstring) has returned to Argentina to continue his rehab, while Fabian Castillo (hamstring) is questionable after missing the team’s last two matches due to injury.
FC Dallas will clinch a playoff berth with a win or draw this weekend.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Saturday’s match will be the third and final meeting between Whitecaps FC and FC Dallas this season, barring a meeting in the playoffs, which is very much a possibility based on the current standings.
The Western Conference foes played to an exciting 2-2 draw at BC Place back in July – a match that saw Vancouver set a new club record with 30 shot attempts. It also may have been Morales’ most dominant performance to date.
More recently, the ‘Caps put in a strong road performance but were undone by a Perez brace, including a first-half wonder goal, in a 2-1 loss last month at Toyota Stadium.
Though they’ve matched up quite well this season, Whitecaps FC haven’t had much success against FC Dallas since joining MLS in 2011, posting a 1W-7L-2D record overall.
NEXT UP
Whitecaps FC visit first-place Seattle Sounders FC next Friday, October 10 (7 p.m. PT, TSN1) in a match that will decide the 2014 Cascadia Cup. As it stands, the defending champion ‘Caps are one point back of Seattle in the Cascadia Cup standings – meaning Whitecaps FC need all three points to successfully defend their title. Any other result would see Seattle lift the trophy.
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.
