PORTLAND, OREGON - Vancouver Whitecaps FC test themselves against Western Conference rival Real Salt Lake on Sunday in their penultimate match of the preseason.
- LIVE STREAM: Catch Sunday's match live on whitecapsfc.com. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.
Both teams are coming off come-from-behind draws on Thursday evening, with the 'Caps earning a 1-1 stalemate versus Minnesota United FC, and Salt Lake notching a 3-3 tie against host Portland in the Timbers Preseason Tournament.
The 'Caps continue the grind of rounding into form, while keeping their sights on their upcoming CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal series against New York Red Bulls (Leg 1 at New York on February 22, Leg 2 at BC Place on March 2).
FIRST LOOK
Thursday evening's affair gave 'Caps fans their first glimpse of Peruvian attacking midfielder/forward Yordy Reyna, who's had only a handful of training sessions with his new teammates. In spite of having a whirlwind of a week, the speedy attacker exhibited pace that adds a new dynamic to the Vancouver offence.
"He's got terrific touch and footwork, you could see that," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "He shoots from distance, hopefully a few of them could fly in. It was a good 30-minute outing from him."
THE OPPOSITION
While Robinson is still incorporating his new acquisition to the 'Caps attack, an old familiar face is expected to lead Real Salt Lake in Joao Plata. The diminutive forward scored a screamer off a direct free kick in the first half of their tilt against Timbers on Thursday.
Among the returning players who saw action for Salt Lake on Thursday are midfielder Luke Mulholland and striker Yura Movsisyan, as well as goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who was in camp with Kekuta Manneh with the United States men's national team last month.
New players on the RSL squad include Manchester City FC Academy product and former FC Groningen midfielder Albert Rusnák and 12-year MLS veteran Chad Barrett. The club also reacquired midfielder/forward Luis Silva after a stint with Liga MX side Tigres UANL. Also seeing preseason action for the first team is former Whitecaps FC 2 forward Daniel Haber.
LINEUP UPDATES
Robinson hinted at a number of changes as his squad continues to work their fitness levels up. Christian Dean and Marcel de Jong could be reinserted back into the XI after not starting against Minnesota.
Nicolas Mezquida sustained a minor hip injury but is expected to be involved on Sunday, while Christian Bolaños continues to work his way back from a knee injury.
