VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC return to BC Place on Saturday to host Colorado Rapids in their final match of the 2014 MLS regular season.
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. PT TV: TSN1 RADIO: TSN 1410 MOBILE: bell.ca/mobiletvONLINE: TSN GO
Here are three storylines to get you set for the match.
WIN AND WE’RE IN
The situation is clear for Whitecaps FC: a win over the Rapids and they’re off to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the second time since joining MLS in 2011. The ‘Caps enter the weekend one point up on Portland Timbers for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, meaning they control their own destiny.
While a win would get the job done no matter what, the ‘Caps would also secure a playoff berth by matching Portland’s result against FC Dallas earlier in the day (5:30 p.m. PT; MLS Live).
For example, if the Timbers draw with FC Dallas, Vancouver would also only need a draw. And if the Timbers lose, Whitecaps FC would automatically qualify regardless of their result against Colorado.
It all comes down to this.
KEEP THE GOOD TIMES ROLLIN’
Two weeks ago, Whitecaps FC won the Cascadia Cup after stunning first-place Seattle Sounders FC with a 1-0 road win. Last weekend, they secured a berth in the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League by finishing as the top-ranked Canadian team in MLS this season.
Can they cap it all off with a win on Saturday?
If so, the Blue and White would not only qualify for the playoffs, but also set a new club record with 50 points, surpassing their 48-point total from last season.
CLEAN SHEET KING
Whitecaps FC goalkeeper David Ousted will finish as the MLS clean sheet leader in 2014 with at least 12 shutouts on the season, two more than the next goalkeeper behind him. That’s also one shutout short of setting a new team record in MLS.
Ousted and the ‘Caps back line have been lights out as of late, posting three straight clean sheets and allowing just one goal in their last four matches. It's been 303 minutes since Vancouver last conceded a goal, which is only 49 minutes short of the longest shutout streak by a team in MLS this season.
Can they shut the door once again on Saturday?
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