VANCOUVER, BC – The boys are back in town.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC are back at BC Place after a four-game road trip to take on the top team in the west, Sporting Kansas City. (Tickets are still available.)
KICKOFF: 4 p.m. PT │ TV: TSN1/4 │ RADIO: TSN 1040
Here’s everything you need to know about the match.
STORYLINES
Home Cookin’: Whitecaps FC return to BC Place for the first time since they beat Seattle Sounders FC on April 14 2-1, thanks in part to Freddy Montero’s two-goal performance. Montero has been one of the hottest ‘Caps players at home this season netting three of his four goals at BC Place. Vancouver have been itching to return to BC Place where they’ve defeated perennial Western Conference heavyweights in LA Galaxy and Seattle. Saturday’s match is the start of a crucial three-game home stand that includes Tuesday’s Canadian Championship match against Montreal Impact.
You Again: The ‘Caps went to battle against Sporting Kansas City three times during the regular season and twice during CONCACAF Champions League play last season. SKC took the MLS season series 2W-0L-1D, and WFC won both the Champions League group stage matches en route to their semifinal finish.
Super Shea: Since returning from injury, Brek Shea has been dynamite for the ‘Caps, scoring goals in back-to-back games. Shea only needed 42 substitute minutes in his return from injury to net two goals, including the game-winner against Colorado Rapids. Saturday’s match will be a chance for Shea to extend his goal streak to four games across all competitions, and showcase how well he has fit into coach Carl Robinson’s system.
Brick Wall Battle: Two of the best keepers in MLS, David Ousted and Tim Melia, are set to face off Saturday afternoon. Melia provides the ‘Caps with a big challenge as he currently leads the MLS with seven clean sheets. Both keepers have been leaned on heavily by their respective clubs to make big saves.
KEY MATCHUPS
Kendall Waston (CB) vs Dom Dwyer (FWD): It’s a familiar matchup on the forefront. Six-foot-five Kendall Waston and five-foot-nine Dom Dwyer are on a collision course once again. Last year, the pair had many spirited battles in their three head-to-head meetings. This season, Dwyer has five goals and one assist – all coming in a five-match span from April to early May. On the other hand, Waston is second in MLS in clearances with 67, and third in blocks with 11.
DID YOU KNOW?
Dwyer is married to Surrey, BC native and former Whitecaps FC W-League player Sydney Leroux. Leroux played for the club in 2005 and 2011, and represented Canada in her youth prior to earning senior national caps for her adopted country, the United States.
