VANCOUVER, BC – Coming off an impressive road win at Rio Tinto Stadium last weekend, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are back at BC Place to host D.C. United this Saturday (fewer than 1,000 tickets remain: http://ow.ly/M4NrQ).
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. PT TV: TSN1 RADIO: TSN 1410 MOBILE:bell.ca/mobiletvONLINE: TSN GO
Can the Blue and White triumph over the Black and Red to keep their impressive start to the season going? Here are three storylines to get you set for the match.
DEBUT OF 'THE BUG?'
After joining the team in Salt Lake, new Whitecaps FC winger
Cristian Techera
has been
enjoying his first week of full training with the squad
. He may only stand 5-foot-2, but
what the diminuitive winger lacks in stature he more than makes up for in talent.
In fact, Techera
, but will he be in Carl Robinson's plans for Saturday’s match at BC Place?
"You can see the quality he has," Robinson said of Techera earlier this week. "He scores goals, but I'm not going to rush Cristian. I’m delighted to have him here. When I bring players into this group, I want to bring in players that are going to affect the team. I think we can do that with Techera, but he's got to fight for his place. He's like everyone else."
If "The Bug" (a nickname Techera picked up from his father) does make the team, ‘Caps fans needn’t worry about his ability to impact the game.
“If you play in the Uruguayan league, it doesn’t matter how big you are,” Robinson told reporters. “It’s a very physical, strong league. The quality he’s got I think is there for everyone to see …”
TOP VS. (JOINT) TOP
Okay, so top in the West vs. joint top in the East isn’t exactly as catchy as top vs. top; nevertheless, Saturday’s match is shaping up to be every inch the heavyweight clash.
D.C. United went from worst to first last year, and they've picked up where they left off in 2015. Ben Olsen’s team extended their unbeaten run to four matches with their 1-1 draw against Houston Dynamo last week and have only suffered one defeat so far this season.
Saturday will be a stern test for Robinson and his young squad, but history is certainly on the home team’s side. Since a 4-0 defeat in their first-ever meeting, the ‘Caps are undefeated against D.C., winning two out of their last four encounters.
MAGIC MATTOCKS
Darren Mattocks
stole the headlines last weekend with his
game-winning goal against Real Salt Lake.
That header, a glorious effort from a pinpoint
Russell Teibert
cross, was his second strike of the season. But the Jamaican international’s involvement goes well beyond his own tally, as Mattocks has been involved in each of Vancouver’s last three goals.
It’s a telling statistic, one that speaks to
the rejuvenation of a player who’s now in his fourth season with Whitecaps FC.
What’s all the more impressive is that Mattocks didn’t get his chance until a few games into the campaign.
"He didn't complain," Robinson told reporters this week. "He waited for his opportunity and he was confident enough that when he got his opportunity he would take it, and he's certainly done that."
Mattocks’ fine form, alongside that of Uruguayan sensation Octavio Rivero, means that Robbo currently has a duo of deadly strikers to choose from. Last week, the Welshman chose to tinker with his tactics in order to accommodate both of his front men and whether he sticks with the 4-3-1-2 or reverts to the 4-2-3-1; it will be interesting to see how he chooses to set up his side at BC Place on Saturday evening.
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are now on sale. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
