FOXBOROUGH, MA - After picking up four of a possible six points against FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids, Vancouver Whitecaps FC conclude their three-match road swing on Saturday evening vs. New England Revolution.
KICKOFF: 5 p.m. PT | TV: TSN 2 | RADIO: TSN 1410 radio
The ‘Caps enter the match with one of the best road records in MLS (4W-5L-2D). Meanwhile, the Revs have been strong at Gillette Stadium all year with a 7W-2L-2D record.
Something's got to give.
Montero continues to roll
After a little bit of a dry spell in May and June, Whitecaps FC striker Fredy Montero now has nine goals on the season, including three in his last two matches.
So what's been behind the Colombian's midseason resurgence?
“He’s just working harder, rolling his sleeves up and he’s wanting to do the nitty, gritty jobs you need to," Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said this week. "I’m a firm believer in the more work you put in on the training field, the more rewards you get out of games. People don’t see that; I see it and I’ve challenged him and he’s took it on board."
Heads up for Kamara
The red-hot striker at the other end of the park is New England's Kei Kamara.
The MLS veteran has found the back of the net four times in his last three matches and is tied for the team lead in goals with eight. The ‘Caps back line will need to be sharp to stop the Sierra Leonean international who can beat you with his pace, power, and his head.
“He may look like sometimes he doesn’t want to push but when he pushes he’s really fast," said Whitecaps FC midfielder Tony Tchani, who played with Kamara in Columbus. "In the air, we all know Kei Kamara, I call him the headmaster because every time the ball comes in the air he has a 90 per cent chance to win it."
On Saturday, however, he'll be up against towering Whitecaps FC centre back Kendall Waston, who is expected to return to the lineup after missing last weekend's match against Colorado.
Familiar face
When the whistle blows at Gillette Stadium, the ‘Caps will see a familiar face across from them.
Longtime Whitecaps FC midfielder Gershon Koffie is back with the Revolution after being loaned out by Swedish side Hammarby IF. Koffie, to this day, is third in all-time appearances, starts, and minutes played for Whitecaps FC in MLS.
"We know he's a special guy," Waston said. "We love him very much. But on the pitch, everyone's an enemy."
