VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC head to the Big Apple on Saturday for their clash with the rampaging New York Red Bulls. Here are three storylines to get you set for the match.
KICKOFF: 4 p.m. PT TV: TSN2 RADIO: TSN 1410 MOBILE:bell.ca/mobiletvONLINE: TSN GO
BACK TO BUSINESS
The ‘Caps squad enjoyed a rest last week thanks to a rare break in the MLS schedule. If you saw our gallery of the team’s vacation photos, you’ll know that they enjoyed a well-deserved break from the action, and coach Carl Robinson admitted at training earlier this week that the rest had “done everyone a world of good.”
He’s not wrong. There has been a buzz around training this week as a rejuvenated ‘Caps squad look to build on their historic road win against LA Galaxy last time out. But while it’s been nice to have time to reflect on what’s undoubtedly been a positive start to the 2015 campaign, the players know from experience that you can’t take anything for granted in this league.
“We can’t take our foot off the gas,” Jordan Harvey told reporters. “We’ve been in this position last year and we didn’t do so well after this.”
The fullback is of course referring to the squad’s summer slump, which saw them pick up just one win in 10 games after making a similarly solid start to the 2014 season.
“I get reminded all the time of the summer months and things like that,” Robinson told the media this week. “I also get reminded that we hadn’t beat LA – fortunately enough we did. Records are there to be broken and things are there to change. We know we have to come back after this little break re-energized and refreshed and we are.”
ROBBO'S RETURN
Speaking of the man in charge, Saturday’s match will be especially important for Robinson, who’s returning to the Big Apple for the first time since leaving the Red Bulls organization. The Welshman ended his playing career in New York before getting his first break as a coach under former Red Bulls boss Hans Backe. The rest as they say is history, but the team still holds a special place in Robinson’s heart.
“It’ll be a very special game for me,” Robinson said of Saturday’s match. “I had two fantastic years at New York. It’s a fantastic organization with good people there. There has been quite a bit of change over the last period of time but I’ve still got very good friends there and the supporters are always good.”
That sentiment will be put to one side come 4 p.m. PT on Saturday, however, as Robinson’s squad look to secure three points against a Red Bulls team that’s made an equally impressive start to their season.
“I know what they’re about and I know what their players are like,” Robinson said. “It will be a very tough game for us. We know that, but it’ll be something to look forward to.”
IRONMAN VS. IRONMAN
No, it’s not the newly unveiled title of some mega budget summer blockbuster. Instead it’s a sneak peek at Saturday’s match, which will feature two goalkeepers that are every inch the superhero for their respective outfits.
Since joining Vancouver Whitecaps FC midway through the 2013 season, goalkeeper David Ousted has started 64 consecutive matches for the club (including MLS Cup Playoffs). The only MLS goalkeeper with a longer ironman streak during that time is Luis Robles, the man he’ll be lining up opposite on Saturday.
“I don't think he's valued as highly as I value him,” Carl Robinson said of his ironman earlier this season.
And given the goalkeeper’s impressive form since arriving in Vancouver, you can’t really argue with him.
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