VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-1L-0D) head to California this weekend for a Western Conference clash against Chivas USA (2W-1L-1D) on Saturday, March 30 at The Home Depot Center.
Saturday's match between Whitecaps FC and Chivas USA kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and is live on Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet ONE, City, Bell mobile devices and MLS LIVE (live.mlssoccer.com). 'Caps fans can also listen to Saturday afternoon’s match live on TEAM 1410 radio andteamradio.ca, starting with the pre-game show at 5:30 p.m. PT. TEAM 1410 will also have a two-hour post-game show, which will begin following the match.
WHITECAPS FC
Whitecaps FC will look to respond from their first defeat of the season, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Houston Dynamo last Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium. Darren Mattocks scored the lone goal for the ‘Caps in the loss, scoring his seventh career goal on the road with a terrific strike that was nominated for MLS Goal of the Week.
WATCH: Whitecaps FC look ahead to Chivas USA
Martin Rennie and his squad now return to the scene of their historic first ever road win in MLS back in 2012, a 1-0 victory at the Home Depot Center.
Saturday’s match will bring a contrast in styles. Chivas play an unconventional style of three players on their backline in a 3-4-3 formation, while the 'Caps have been playing in a 4-2-3-1. Additionally, Vancouver have so far been called for the least fouls in MLS with 31, while Chivas USA have accumulated the most fouls with 76.
In terms of injuries, the team will also be without captain Jay DeMerit indefinitely due to a left Achilles tendon rupture and winger Omar Salgado due to a sore left foot.
CHIVAS USA
José Luis Sánchez Solá’s (or El Chelis, as he is better known) has led Chivas USA to a fine start in his first season at the helm.
WATCH: Chivas prepares for the 'Caps
The Goats are coming off of a 4-1 road win at Chicago Fire last Saturday. Edgar Mejía, Joaquin Velázquez, and Juan Agudelo scored for Chivas USA, while Chicago Fire defender Jalil Anibaba sealed the Goats’ victory with an own goal in the 89th minute. As a reward for his efforts, Agudelo was named MLS Player of the Week after registering a goal and an assist against the Fire.
Under Chelis, the Goats have picked up seven points in their first four matches of the season, something that took last year’s Chivas squad six matches to accomplish. The first time MLS coach revamped the Chivas roster over the offseason, importing several players from Mexico, including defender Mario de Luna, midfielder Mejía, and strikers Giovanni Casillas and Julio Morales on loan from sister club Club Deportivo Guadalajara.
The only current injury concern for Chivas USA is defender Walter Vilchez, who is out indefinitely with left knee and ankle sprains.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
WATCH: 2012 - 'Caps earn first road win vs. Chivas
Saturday’s match will be the sixth all-time MLS meeting between Whitecaps FC and Chivas USA. In 2012, the ‘Caps faced the Goats three times and held a record of 2W-0L-1D against them, including a 1-0 victory in the first road match of the season - the club's first ever away win in MLS.
Overall, the Blue and White have never lost to Chivas USA and hold a record of 2W-0L-3D against their California rivals.
The ‘Caps will look to improve on their record of 1W-4L-2D at the Home Depot Center.
As far connections, ‘Caps midfielder Salgado spent time in the youth system of Chivas USA’s parent club, Mexican giants CD Guadalajara.
NEXT UP
Following Saturday's match, the ‘Caps return to Vancouver before heading back to California to take on San Jose Earthquakes next Saturday, April 6, 2013. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT.
