Preview: Whitecaps FC return to MLS action Saturday afternoon against New York Red Bulls

VANCOUVER, BC – The road trip continues.

After stunning the defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy with a 1-0 win on June 6, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-6L-2D) now head to the opposite coast for a date with New York Red Bulls (4W-4L-5D).

Kickoff for Saturday’s match is set for 4 p.m. PT at Red Bull Arena. You can watch the match live on TSN2 and listen on TSN 1410 radio, including a pre-match show at 2 p.m. PT and a two-hour post-match show.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

The ‘Caps had their first bye week after a June 6 victory over LA and Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson gave the team five days off.

It was a well-deserved break after a hectic few months and Robinson said this week that it “has done a world of good for everyone.”

“Whatever the result in LA, they were going to get a break,” said Robinson, who spent two years with the Red Bulls as a player/assistant coach. “I wanted them to come back re-energized and they have ... they’ve been looking very lively.”

Saturday’s match will be Vancouver’s third of five straight on the road. In previous years, it may have been a daunting trip.  

Not this year.

The ‘Caps, who are second in the Western Conference, have been one of the league’s best road teams thus far thanks to a 4W-3L-1D record. One more road win would set a new club record in MLS.

NEW YORK RED BULLS

New York underwent a major offseason overhaul, including the surprise firing of Mike Petke in favour of Jesse Marsch. They also said goodbye to French star Thierry Henry.

But the Red Bulls still got off to a blazing start to 2015, going undefeated in their first seven matches. Things haven’t gone to plan since that point, however.

The Red Bulls are riding a three-match losing streak and have just one win in their last eight MLS outings. Marsch’s side did cruise to a 3-0 win over Atlanta Silverbacks on Tuesday in U.S. Open Cup action, but lost influential midfielder Lloyd Sam in the process. Marsch described Lloyd’s injury as “minor” and said he’s hopeful the Englishman will be available on Saturday.

The player to watch, though, is striker Bradley Wright-Phillips. The defending MLS Golden Boot winner leads the Red Bulls with five goals and four assists so far this season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The ‘Caps are undefeated in five previous meetings with the Red Bulls (2W-0L-3D), including back-to-back victories. Their most recent result was a thrilling 4-1 win in last year’s season opener.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kendall Waston's mother moved to the U.S. when Waston was 10 years old to make more money and send it back home to Costa Rica. And Saturday in New York will be the first time that she sees him play live. 

"For me, that's going to be the best thing," Waston told CTV Vancouver. 

"It will be an unbelievable occasion for him and his mom," Robinson added. "He's such a fantastic lad ... so it will be a special moment for him. But it will be even more special if we can get the result we need and he puts on a good performance. Times like that you treasure and I know he and his mom will treasure that." 

NEXT UP

Whitecaps FC will remain on the East Coast after Saturday's match in advance of next weekend's tilt with 2014 MLS Cup finalists New England Revolution.

WFC2, meanwhile, return to UBC Thunderbird Stadium this Sunday to host Cascadia rivals Timbers 2. To celebrate Father's Day, all dads will get in free with the purchase of at least another ticket. Click here for more information. 

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.