VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC host Real Salt Lake on Saturday at BC Place as they attempt to bounce back from last week’s mile high heartbreak. Tickets: http://ow.ly/NyGdA
KICKOFF: 3 p.m. PT TV: TSN 1/3 RADIO: TSN 1410 MOBILE:bell.ca/mobiletvONLINE: TSN GO
Here are three storylines to get you set for the match.
OPTIONS
Here’s a stat for you. In the 15 matches the ‘Caps have played so far this year, coach Carl Robinson has used 15 different starting XIs. Of course travel, injuries, international call-ups and suspensions have all played their part; but the personnel shuffling we’ve seen so far in 2015 also speaks volumes about the strength in depth that the Welshman has built at the club.
Indeed a cursory glance over the roster reveals that there is competition for places all over the pitch, something that can only be positive as the squad look to bounce back from a tough week of MLS action.
It was something the coach addressed when asked specifically about Gershon Koffie after training this week.
“It shows how far the club’s come in relation to the strength of the squad of players we’ve got because Koffie was a starting player and he still is a starting player, but I’ve got other starting players as well,” Robinson said. “It’s not just 11 [starting players] which a lot of squads have, I want competition for places if we’re going to be successful in three tournaments, three competitions then we’re going to need a group of players.”
A TIGHT RACE IN THE WEST
We’re still only 13 games in to MLS season, but the Western Conference standings are already starting to shape. RSL, this weekend’s opponents, enter the match at BC Place standing seventh in the standings with 17 points. That’s only three points back from the third-place ‘Caps. It’s indicative of how tight the race in the West is going to be in 2015.
Is it too early to call it a six pointer?
“I think every game in the West is a six pointer. It’s going to be like that every weekend that goes along…” Robbo admitted on Tuesday. “The West with Houston and Sporting Kansas City coming in, it gets tighter; we know that so it’s important that when you go on your runs you try and win as many games as you can and when you’re not on your runs you try and get out of them as soon as you can.”
NEW TURF
Fans going to the game on Saturday will get a chance to get up close and personal with the new playing surface at BC Place. The home turf has been replaced in preparation for next month’s Women’s World Cup.
The club is certainly excited. Club president Bob Lenarduzzi said of the new surface: “The addition of the new Polytan turf proves that Vancouver is a world-class soccer city and we look forward to hosting our first match on the new pitch.”
Fullback Jordan Harvey is also looking forward to getting to grips with the new pitch.
“It looks good,” the defender told reporters this week. “It’s supposed to be top notch, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Stay tuned to WhitecapsFC.com on Saturday morning for the reveal.
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