VANCOUVER, BC – After a pair of heated Cascadia derbies, Whitecaps FC will play their final match before the World Cup break on Saturday against Philadelphia Union.
KICKOFF: 4 p.m. PT, TV: TSN, RADIO: TEAM 1410, MOBILE: bell.ca/mobiletv, ONLINE: TSN GO
Road warriors
At the start of the season, the ‘Caps spoke at length about their desire to play an attacking style both at home and on the road. It wouldn’t happen overnight, they cautioned. Establishing a winning mentality away from home would take some time.
Well, it seems that time has come.
Whitecaps FC have posted a 2W-1L-3D road record this season, including back-to-back wins over Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers.
In those two games, Vancouver launched a combined 45 shots towards the goal, illustrating their willingness and ability to play on the front foot away from BC Place.
Can the Blue and White make it three road wins in a row? If so, it would be the first time they have done so since joining Major League Soccer in 2011.
To date, the most road games they have won in a season is four.
Red-hot Hurtado
Another game, another goal.
Second-year striker Erik Hurtado scored in his fourth straight match in all competitions last weekend. Two of those goals were nominated for MLS Goal of the Week – his tally against Seattle Sounders FC took home the honours.
It’s been quite the stretch for Hurtado, who didn’t find the back of the net in his entire rookie campaign. Now, he’s one of the hottest strikers in all of MLS. Not only that, Robinson has also praised Hurtado’s hold-up play – a key ingredient for a lone striker playing atop the team’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
Can Hurtado continue his fine form on Saturday?
World Cup break
This Saturday will be Vancouver’s final match before the league’s two-week World Cup break. The ‘Caps won’t be back in action until June 25, when they host Montreal Impact at BC Place.
No team wants to go into such a layover on a losing note, which adds a little extra importance to this cross-conference affair.
“It’s important that we’re on a decent run of form now,” Andy O’Brien told reporters this week. “If we can get another good result going into [the break], it’s building a good foundation for the rest of the season.”
Whitecaps FC are undefeated in six league matches. Can they make it seven and set a new club record?
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 ($220), 5-packs ($149), 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.
