VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC are back at BC Place this Saturday, August 19 as they gear up to battle Western Conference leaders Houston Dynamo on Pride Night.
Tickets are still available: http://ow.ly/gZJR30eusAx.
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. PT | TV: TSN 1/4 | RADIO: TSN 1040
- IMPORTANT: Matchday road closures and traffic disruptions
- REMINDER: Video review is now in effect; here's how it works
The ‘Caps will have their work cut out for them as the high-flying Dynamo are undefeated in their last six games. The Texan side haven’t been on the losing end of a result since July 1 and will be coming into Vancouver hungry, with 42 goals scored, good enough for fourth in MLS scoring.
But while Houston’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, ‘Caps fans may find solace in the fact that head coach Wilmer Cabrera’s side have struggled on the road, with only one win in 12 matches away from BBVA Compass Stadium in 2017.
It is also worth noting that Vancouver have yet to lose to the Dynamo at BC Place since joining MLS in 2011.
Crucial home-stand stretch begins
After a three-game road trip that saw Vancouver pick up four of a possible nine points, including a historic 4-0 win in Dallas, Carl Robinson’s men are getting set to reunite with their fans for a long-term home-stand at BC Place. The stadium will play host to six of the club’s next seven games through to September 23 and will see the ‘Caps play two of the three games they currently have in hand on most of their playoff competitors.
Following the Houston match, BC Place will again host a crucial midweek Cascadia clash against Seattle Sounders FC on August 23 before the 'Caps make the trip to Florida to take on Kaká and Orlando City SC on August 26.
The home-stand then resumes on September 9 against Real Salt Lake followed by matches against Minnesota United FC, Colombus Crew SC and finally on September 23 against Colorado Rapids.
Laba out for the season
The worst was confirmed on Tuesday morning when it was revealed that midfielder MatÃas Laba had indeed suffered a season-ending ACL tear during last week’s 1-0 loss to New England Revolution. The Argentine went down clutching his right knee in the 28th minute of the game as he challenged for the ball in his defensive end before being replaced by Andrew Jacobson for the remainder of the match.
Laba has safeguarded the back-four without fail for the last three seasons but with his return not expected until at least next spring, the task will now have to be delegated to another. And with the arrival of centre back Aaron Maund from Real Salt Lake and defensive midfielder Aly Ghazal earlier this week, Robinson now has some much-needed flexibility with his squad for the flurry of upcoming home fixtures.
Postseason push heating up
North of the red line, things are getting mighty crowded in the MLS Western Conference.
The ‘Caps currently occupy the seventh spot in the West with 31 points after 22 games played but are only six points back of first-place Houston with 12 regular season matches remaining. To put that into perspective, at the same time last year, Vancouver sat in eighth spot in the West with 30 points after 25 games played but with a significant 14-point gap separating first from seventh.
If Robinson's side manages to earn some positive results in their upcoming fixtures, then Vancouver will have set themselves up for a legitimate shot at a postseason campaign.
