Preview: 'Caps and Sounders search for first win in Cascadia clash at CenturyLink

VWFC vs. Seattle Through the Years

The decades-old rivalry continues tomorrow.

Posted by Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Friday, March 18, 2016

SEATTLE, WA – It’s the first Cascadia derby of 2016.

And it’s between two teams who are off to disappointing 0W-2L-0D starts. Need we say more?

Both Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Seattle Sounders FC will be searching for their first wins of the season on Saturday when the longtime rivals meet at CenturyLink Field.

KICKOFF: 7 p.m. PT  |  TV: TSN1  |  RADIO: TSN 1410

Buckle up: this one could be fun. For one team, at least.

“It should be a good game,” Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson told reporters. “They’re a good team with good players. Big name players. They’ve had a tricky start as well. Something’s probably got to give. We enjoy playing there. We know it’s a tough game. They’ll be thousands of fans there. We’ve got to try to get our season off and running, so we’ll give it a good go.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the match.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

The ‘Caps said this week that their two losses have been “self-inflicted,” which gives them confidence that they can turn things around on Saturday. In order to do that, however, they know that they will need to eliminate some of the mistakes that have proved so costly thus far.

“Whenever you lose a game, it’s easy to analyze a certain individual maybe some people don’t like or are missing but I think it’s a collective effort,” Robinson said this week. “In the first two games, we’ve had defensive lapses. That comes from our goalkeeper all the way to our forwards … we can all be better.”

Whitecaps FC will be without midfielder Kianz Froese and right back Jordan Smith due to suspension – as well as centre back Christian Dean (left foot) and Russell Teibert (left calf). On the other hand, recently acquired midfielder Andrew Jacobson is available for selection and could make his Whitecaps FC debut.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Life without Obafemi Martins hasn’t been very kind to Seattle thus far.

Sigi Schmid’s side, which features hyped rookie Jordan Morris and a new-look 4-3-3 formation, has scored just one goal in two games. They too have fallen victim to a few costly errors.

They’re also dealing with a swarm of injuries.

Centre back Brad Evans (shoulder) and midfielder Erik Friberg (MCL) are expected to miss Saturday’s contest, while goalkeeper Stefan Frei (elbow) and striker Nelson Valdez (thigh) have been dealing with injuries but are expected to be available on the weekend.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The away team won every MLS meeting between Vancouver and Seattle last season.

The home team didn’t even score a goal, getting outscored 8-0 over the three matches. That included two Sounders wins at BC Place and a 3-0 Whitecaps FC victory on August 1, 2015 at CenturyLink Field.

Try to figure that one out.

Either way, the ‘Caps will be hoping the trend continues on Saturday night. The 'Caps have won three straight MLS matches at CenturyLink.

Last year, Seattle and Vancouver actually met a total of five times including CONCACAF Champions League play, something Schmid referenced this week.

“We hope this season that we don’t have to play them 100 times like last year,” he told reporters. “Three in league is good.”

KEY MATCHUPS

This one’s a little tough, considering both teams could reshuffle their lineups a bit, but here we go.

Clint Dempsey vs. Fraser Aird: Dempsey has been playing on the left side of Seattle’s 4-3-3 formation so far this season. In previous years, he has played more centrally. Should he remain on the left, he’ll likely be seeing a lot of Aird, or whoever Robinson decides to start at right back. Dempsey’s new position has been “a little bit of an adjustment,” according to Schmid, but he’ll be a big test either way.

Kekuta Manneh vs. Tyrone Mears: Manneh always seems to find joy at CenturyLink Field. He has four goals and an assist in his last three appearances there. Not too shabby. Should Manneh play on Saturday, he’ll be lined up against experienced English right back Tyrone Mears.

Pedro Morales vs. Osvaldo Alonso: Say what you want, but Morales makes the ‘Caps tick offensively. He’s the one who pulls the strings from midfield. It will be up to Alonso to stop him. 

Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! 2016 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are on sale from $39/month all in. 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.