CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – After a thrilling 2-2 draw with FC Dallas on Sunday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are right back at it on Wednesday in a midweek matchup at Chicago Fire.
KICKOFF: 5:30 p.m. PT TV: TSN RADIO: TEAM 1040 MOBILE: bell.ca/mobiletvONLINE: TSN GO
Here are three storylines to watch.
THE MAESTRO
As Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson noted on Monday, Pedro Morales just keeps getting better and better. The Chilean’s performance against FC Dallas, which left the sold-out BC Place crowd in awe on multiple occasions, still has people talking.
With his goal on Sunday, Morales now leads Whitecaps FC with seven goals and eight assists. No first-year player in Major League Soccer has figured on the scoring more than Morales has this season.
It’s no secret at this point that Morales pulls the strings for the ‘Caps from midfield. With that in mind, Chicago could make a formation switch on Wednesday in an attempt to limit his influence on the game – something that has proven to be easier said than done.
MAKING HIS MARK
Though Morales has been stealing the headlines as of late, Whitecaps FC striker Darren Mattocks now has goals in three straight matches. The Jamaican is second to only Morales with five goals this season, which is already two more than he had last year and just two short of his career-high.
Mattocks has also drawn three penalties this season, which is tied for the league lead with Fire striker Quincy Amarikwa. Clearly, the 23-year-old has played an important part for Vancouver this season, thanks in large part to his work rate and transitional play.
Can he keep things going on Wednesday?
BREAKING THE DEADLOCK
The Fire lead MLS with 11 draws in 19 matches this season and Whitecaps FC are right behind them with 10 draws in 20 matches. But neither team will be looking to add to that statistic on Wednesday.
“I’m sick of draws to be honest,” Robinson said after Vancouver picked up their third straight draw this past weekend. “We’ll be going to win the game.”
The ‘Caps have proven to be a tough team to beat this season – they’re one of three teams who have lost just four matches. The other two are Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy, who are considered to be among the elite sides in MLS. But Robinson knows his side needs to start picking up some wins with the Western Conference playoff race heating up.
“I know we need wins and we’re doing everything we can at the moment to try and get them.”
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, 5-packs, 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.
