In search of their first victory in the MLS Reserve League, Vancouver Whitecaps FC reserves (0W-3L-1D) host LA Galaxy reserves (1W-5L-0D) on Sunday morning. Kickoff from Bell Pitch at Empire Field is set for 11 a.m. PT and can be followed at twitter.com/whitecapsfc. Please note that Sunday's reserve match is closed to the public.
Vancouver's second string are looking to avenge a 2-1 away defeat to the Galaxy reserves in Southern California back on June 20, with the 'Caps looking to move off the bottom of the Reserve League's West Division standings with a result in East Vancouver this weekend.
Assistant coach Colin Miller will be in charge of the 'Caps reserves, and with the two clubs facing each other in the spotlight of MLS the day before, the former Canadian national team captain expects an equally competitive contest on Sunday. "Whether it's the first team or the reserve team, anytime you play the LA Galaxy, it's a high-profile match," Miller told whitecapsfc.com. "Hopefully, we get a good result on Saturday, and there will be a good feeling about the place for Sunday morning's game."
Reserve League matches are a chance for Vancouver's second string to impress Whitecaps FC head coach Tom Soehn and earn a spot in the first XI. "We want to make it as competitive as possible for those players that are on the fringes of our first-team squad," Miller said. "Sunday provides a fantastic opportunity for those players to play at home in front of Tommy and the coaching staff, and justify that they can get into our first-team roster. We've got players back from injury, so there's more competition for places at the moment. We need to have the right attitude and work ethic on Sunday."
Following this weekend's match, Whitecaps FC reserves will then play two Reserve League games versus their two Pacific Northwest rivals next month. They host Seattle Sounders FC reserves at Burnaby Lake West Field #1 on Tuesday, August 9, before travelling to Oregon to meet Portland Timbers reserves on Sunday, August 21. Vancouver's Reserve League schedule will conclude in early October.
