VANCOUVER, BC – It all comes down to this.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC kicked off another week of training on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s crucial regular season finale against Colorado Rapids (7 p.m. PT, TSN1) – limited tickets available.
The situation is clear for the Blue and White: win and they’re off to the MLS Cup Playoffs.
<strong><b>TRAINING<br>
INTERVIEWS:</b></strong> |
<a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/video/2014/10/21/carl-robinson-october-21-post-training" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/interview_robinson_w.png" style="width: 140px; height: 60px; "></a><a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/video/2014/10/21/david-ousted-october-21-post-training" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/interview_ousted.png" style="width: 140px; height: 60px; "></a><a href="//www.whitecapsfc.com/video/2014/10/21/jordan-harvey-october-21-post-training" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://vancouver-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/interview_harvey_b.png" style="width: 140px; height: 60px;"></a> |
And though it could be possible for them to secure a playoff berth with a draw, or even a loss, depending on Portland’s result against FC Dallas earlier in the day (5:30 p.m. PT, MLS Live), the ‘Caps have their sights set on three points.
“We need to win,” goalkeeper David Ousted told reporters on Tuesday. “We need to win for ourselves, we need to win for our fans at home and make that a happy occasion and show them that we can go home and get a result.”
It will be an interesting dynamic on Saturday, as Portland’s match should end no later than halftime of Vancouver’s match, meaning the ‘Caps will know exactly what they need to clinch a playoff berth. But Ousted said he won’t be scoreboard watching.
“I don’t really care, to be quite honest,” he told reporters. “I’ll play my game the way I always play it. I don’t play differently if we’re in it or not. I want to go in there, keep clean sheets, and I want to win.”
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson was singing a similar tune on Tuesday, saying that Portland’s result, even if it’s a loss, won’t affect his decision-making or mindset – even with a potential playoff game four or five days later.
“It won’t affect my mindset, because I want to win that game on Saturday,” said Robinson, adding that he thinks Portland will get a result in Dallas. “I’ll deal with it after the game. If it means that I genuinely believe someone is tired going into the [playoff] game, then I’ve got a squad of players. If I need to rotate my squad [in the playoff game], I will. But I’ll focus on Saturday and if we get through that I’ll deal with it.”
Participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver! 2015 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are on sale now. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, Student Half-Season Tickets, and a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket. For more information on 2015 Season Tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
