TORONTO, ON – Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s busy stretch continues on Wednesday, when they visit Eastern Canadian rival Toronto FC in a midweek clash at BMO Field.
KICKOFF: 5 p.m. PT TSN: TSN RADIO: TEAM 1410 MOBILE: bell.ca/mobiletvONLINE: TSN GO
Here are three storylines to get you set for the match.
PAYBACK TIME
Though Wednesday’s match will be the first and only regular season meeting between Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC this season, the Eastern Canadian rivals did battle in a spirited two-leg Amway Canadian Championship semifinal in May.
Toronto FC took the first leg by a score of 2-1 on home soil against a youth-filled ‘Caps side. The Blue and White responded with a victory of the same scoreline in the second leg at BC Place, but the Reds won the ensuing penalty shootout to advance to the Canadian Championship final.
Can the Blue and White get some revenge Wednesday in Toronto?
O CANADA
There’s always a lot to play for in games between Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC, but Wednesday’s match will have a little more importance than usual.
Here’s why: the Canadian team with the most points at the end of the 2014 season will qualify for the 2015/2016 CONCACAF Champions League. The ‘Caps are currently the top-ranked Canadian side with 25 points from 17 matches. But Toronto FC are right behind them with 24 points and two games in hand.
The winner of Wednesday’s tilt will put themselves in a good position heading into the second half of the 2014 MLS season.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Up until the 69th minute of last Saturday’s match against Chivas USA, Whitecaps FC left back Jordan Harvey had played every minute of every match this season. The only other ‘Caps player who had done that is goalkeeper David Ousted.
But Harvey will be serving a one-match suspension on Wednesday after picking up a red card against Chivas USA, likely opening the door for one of Sam Adekugbe or Christian Dean.
Dean has appeared in three MLS regular season matches as a substitute this season, in addition to starting both matches against Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship. Adekugbe, meanwhile, has yet to appear for the first team in 2014 – the Homegrown defender only recently returned to full training after suffering a knee injury in April.
One of these players will likely get an opportunity in Harvey's absence – now it’s up to them to take it.
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.
