BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to take on Chicago Fire at 3 p.m. PT in their first road match of the 2015 season (TSN 1/3/4 and TSN 1410 radio).
Here’s the full story on Vancouver’s starting lineup.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.David Ousted; 33.Steven Beitashour, 4.Kendall Waston, 44.Pa-Modou Kah, 3.Sam Adekugbe; 15.Matías Laba, 31.Russell Teibert; 7.Mauro Rosales, 77.Pedro Morales, 23.Kekuta Manneh; 29.Octavio Rivero
Substitutes
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 2.Jordan Harvey, 9.Nicolás Mezquida, 11.Darren Mattocks, 18.Diego Rodríguez, 19.Erik Hurtado, 28.Gershon Koffie
NOTES:
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson makes one change to his starting XI with left back Sam Adekugbe in for Jordan Harvey.
Robinson’s XI includes a mix of youth and experience with five players 23 or under, including two products of the Whitecaps FC Residency program (Adekugbe and Teibert), and six players 27 or older. Nine different birth countries (Denmark, United States, Costa Rica, The Gambia (2), England, Argentina (2), Canada, Chile, Uruguay) are represented.
The starting XI also includes nine returning players from 2014, as well as newcomers Young Designated Player Octavio Rivero and experienced centre back Pa-Modou Kah.
Goalkeeper David Ousted will be making his 50th consecutive MLS start, including playoffs, with the club. Ousted was the only ‘Caps player last year to start and play every minute of MLS match.
Right back Steven Beitashour makes his 115th MLS regular season start today against Chicago, which includes 86 of those starts with San Jose Earthquakes under current Chicago Fire’s head coach Frank Yallop. Beitashour also started 72 MLS regular season matches with Chicago’s keeper Jon Busch during their time in San Jose.
Centre back Kendall Waston and Pa-Modou Kah are making their second consecutive MLS regular season start today. The pair partnered together in three preseason matches.
Left back Sam Adekugbe makes his third professional start today against the Fire. Last season, the 20-year-old Calgary, Alberta resident made four appearances, including one start on July 5, 1-1 at Toronto FC. Adekugbe made his Whitecaps FC first team debut in Vancouver’s 2013 season finale – a 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids.
Central midfielders Matías Laba and Russell Teibert have started Vancouver’s last 11 MLS regular season matches together in the middle of the pitch. Both Laba and Teibert are making their 49th MLS regular season starts today.
Winger Kekuta Manneh is making his 51st MLS regular season appearance and his 21st start. Last Saturday was the fifth time in Manneh’s young career he’s played the full 90 minutes. Manneh scored his second professional goal against the Fire – July 14, 2013 at BC Place.
Experienced winger Mauro Rosales will be making his 101st start in MLS regular season play and his 120th appearance. Rosales has recorded three assists against the Fire.
Attacking midfielder Pedro Morales registered four shots against the Fire in their lone meeting last year.
Striker Octavio Rivero makes his second career start for the Blue and White, after scoring in his debut last weekend against Toronto FC.
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are now on sale. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
