VANCOUVER, BC – Coming off of an entertaining 4-3 comeback victory over New England this past Saturday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5W-5L-4D) return to BC Place on Wednesday to take on Western Conference foes Chivas USA (3W-8L-2D).
TICKETS: ticketmaster.ca/whitecapsfc
This will be the second of three meetings between the sides in MLS this season. Vancouver will be out for revenge after surrendering a 2-1 loss against the Goats at the Home Depot Center back on March 30.
Wednesday's match between Whitecaps FC and Chivas USA kicks off at 7 p.m. PT and is live on TSN and Bell mobile devices. 'Caps fans can also listen to Saturday night’s match live on TEAM 1410 radio andteamradio.ca, starting with the pre-game show at 5 p.m. PT. TEAM 1410 will also have a two-hour post-game show, which will begin following the match.
WHITECAPS FC
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<b>'Caps prepare for second home match of the week</b> |
Vancouver will look to carry on their impressive unbeaten home form this season, which now stands at 4W-0L-3D in MLS and 5W-0L-4D overall.
In their most recent match on Saturday, the 'Caps went down 2-0 early on to New England Revolution. However, that disadvantage was quickly cancelled out by a penalty from Camilo and a smooth goal from Kenny Miller. Jordan Harvey then put Whitecaps FC ahead before the break and Miller added a decisive fourth goal after halftime before New England scored a late consolation goal to make the final score 4-3 in favour of Vancouver.
Miller’s performance earned the Scot MLS Player of the Week, while both of his tallies have been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week. The 'Caps Designated Player currently leads MLS in goals scored per 90 minutes for players that have seen more than 100 minutes of action with 0.93.
Head coach Martin Rennie still has a number of injury absentees including captain Jay DeMerit (ruptured Achilles tendon) and winger Omar Salgado (foot fracture). Also out of action are fellow centre backs Andy O’Brien (hamstring) and Brad Rusin (calf strain), as well as midfielder Gershon Koffie (quad strain).
Centre back Johnny Leveron returns to Vancouver on Wednesday after being away with the Honduras national team since Sunday for their match versus the United States at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah on Tuesday.
CHIVAS USA
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<b>Last MLS match: Chivas USA 0-2 Seattle Sounders FC</b> |
The revolving door at Chivas USA spun once again as José Luis "El Chelís" Sánchez Solá was dismissed after only 12 matches in charge. Replacing him is Jose Luis Real, former manager of parent club Chivas Guadalajara. Real will make his debut coaching Chivas on Wednesday, becoming the Goats’ eighth coach in just their ninth season in MLS.
In their most recent match, Chivas USA were knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup with a 3-1 loss away to North American Soccer League (NASL) outfit Carolina Railhawks.
Prior to that, the Goats last played Seattle Sounders FC in MLS action, falling 2-0 at home.
On the injury front, Chivas will be without goalkeeper Tim Melia (lumbar distectomy) and midfielders Daniel Antunez (L ACL reconstruction) and Edgar Mejia (L ankle sprain). Striker Tristan Bowen (L hamstring strain) and defender Steve Purdy (L hamstring strain) are both listed as questionable.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
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<b>March 30, 2013: Chivas USA 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC</b> |
Saturday’s match will be the seventh MLS meeting between Whitecaps FC and Chivas USA, with the 'Caps holding a record of 2W-1L-3D.
The last meeting between the sides saw the Goats beat Vancouver 2-1 at the Home Depot Center in March with an own goal from Jun Marques Davidson and a well taken second-half strike from Eric Avila enough to seal the win. Kenny Miller grabbed the consolation goal for Whitecaps FC with a diving header.
Whitecaps FC hold a 1W-0L-1D record at home against Chivas USA with the lone meeting at BC Place resulting in a comfortable 4-0 victory for the Blue and White back on October 3, 2012.
Among the player connections, 'Caps goalkeeper Joe Cannon played with Chivas centre back Bobby Burling at San Jose Earthquakes from 2009-10. Left back Jordan Harvey also played with Chivas midfielder Gabriel Farfan at Philadelphia Union.
NEXT UP
Following Wednesday’s match, Whitecaps FC face an 11-day wait until their next match when they take on D.C. United at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. on Saturday June 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT.
