SAN JOSE, CA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (9W-15L-8D) visit San Jose Earthquakes (8W-10L-13D) on Sunday afternoon in their penultimate match of the 2016 season.
KICKOFF: 2 p.m. PT | TV: TSN2 | RADIO: TSN 1040
Here’s everything you need to know about the match.
STORYLINES
‘REJIGGED’ LINEUP? Carl Robinson hinted this week that there might be a slight “rejig” to his starting lineup in Vancouver’s final two matches. His hands are tied a bit with a few of his younger players on the trip with WFC2 for Saturday’s USL Western Conference Final, but there still could be a few changes – especially with midfielder Pedro Morales suspended due to his red card against Seattle Sounders FC. Striker Blas Perez will also be serving a one-match suspension.
PLAYING FOR JOBS: With the 'Caps and Quakes both eliminated from playoff contention, part of the motivation now is trying to secure their spots for 2017. There will be changes in Vancouver this offseason, as Robinson has said. Which players will step up and show that they deserve to stay?
SAN JOSE WOES: The ‘Caps have achieved a number of “firsts” over the last few years. But they’ve still yet to win a game in San Jose, posting a 0W-2L-5D record. Can they reverse their fortunes this time around?
KEY MATCHUP
Kendall Waston (CB) vs. Chris Wondolowski (FWD): When you talk about San Jose, U.S. men’s national team striker Chris Wondolowski is always the one to watch. This year, he leads the team with 12 goals, which is over a third of the team’s production. It should make for an intriguing matchup with Whitecaps FC centre back Kendall Waston, who has returned from international duty. Waston always seems to play a big role vs. the Quakes, having recorded two goals and an assist – in addition to earning a penalty – against them since joining MLS midway through the 2014 season.
QUOTABLE:
“You might say that we have nothing to play for. I don’t view it that way. Not at all. We’ve got our jobs to play for, we’ve got the fans to play for, and we’ve got ourselves as a team. I don’t want to go out with a whimper and tuck my tail between my legs. I want to go and win. And that has to be the mentality.” – Whitecaps FC goalkeeper David Ousted
