Colin's Keys to another big match in Utah

Colin's Keys

Tune in to AM730 radio on matchdays for a live broadcast of the match, with a pre-match show and post-match show.

Saturday's pre-match show kicks off at 6 p.m. PT at whitecapsfc.com/am730.

Here are Colin’s keys as the 'Caps head on the road for another big Western Conference match against Real Salt Lake.

Gauld is good

Ryan Gauld has a goal or assist in seven of his last eight matches, including the Canadian Championship Final.

He’s got four goals and five assists in those eight games.

He’s back to his creative best. It’s no rocket science, give him the ball and let him do his thing.

Men in the middle

It was great to see Sebastian Berhalter return from a long injury. It was also great to see newcomer Alessandro Schöpf make his first start alongside Gauld.

The ‘Caps were on the front foot in the first half on Wednesday, possibly the best opening 45 minutes of the season.

The men playing in the middle will need to have the same influence and presence to carry on this momentum.

Competition for places

We finally have ourselves in a playoff spot. Now it is one cup final at a time.

There is genuine competition for places, and that could possibly mean less rotation towards the end of the year.

Every player must know that when you’re in the team, you need to play well to stay in the team.