VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to take on LA Galaxy at 7 p.m. PT in a highly-anticipated Western Conference matchup (TSN2 and TSN 1040 Radio).
Here’s a look at Vancouver’s starting lineup.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.David Ousted; 8.Fraser Aird, 4.Kendall Waston, 26.Tim Parker, 2.Jordan Harvey; 15.MatÃas Laba, 77.Pedro Morales; 13.Cristian Techera, 11.Nicolás Mezquida, 23.Kekuta Manneh; 29.Octavio Rivero
Substitutes
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 3.Sam Adekugbe, 7.Christian Bolaños, 17.Andrew Jacobson, 27.Blas Pérez, 32.Marco Bustos, 44.Pa-Modou Kah
NOTES
WFC head coach Carl Robinson makes three changes to his starting XI, as centre backs Kendall Waston and Tim Parker return from international duty and replace Andrew Jacobson and Pa-Modou Kah, while Nicolás Mezquida is in for a suspended Masato Kudo.
Christian Bolaños, Marco Bustos, and Blas Pérez are also back from international duty and will be available as substitutes.
In total, eight different birth countries {Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, The Gambia, United States (x2), Uruguay (x3)} are represented in the starters.
Tonight is the fifth time Robinson has started the three Uruguayans: Techera, Mezquida, Rivero. June 20 (2-1 win at NYRB), August 1 (3-0 win at Seattle), August 8 (4-0 win v RSL), and August 15 (4-3 defeat at SKC).
Keeper David Ousted makes his 89th consecutive start in MLS play, including playoffs. The 31-year-old native of Greve, Denmark, is second only to New York Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles (123) in consecutive MLS matches.
Right back Fraser Aird makes his fourth start with Whitecaps FC; after playing 90 minutes in the club’s season opener, Aird played the second half in Kansas City and the full 90 the last two weeks.
Waston and Parker have been the starting centre backs in seven of the ‘Caps last eight matches including last year’s MLS Cup Playoffs.
Left back Jordan Harvey makes his 118th regular season start tonight for WFC and 205th in MLS regular season action.
Central midfielder MatÃas Laba is making his 12th consecutive start including the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Captain Pedro Morales, who leads MLS in goals scored to start the season, is playing his fifth consecutive regular season match – most since last April.
Attacking midfielder Nicolás Mezquida makes his first MLS start since August 15, 2016, at Sporting Kansas City. Last year, WFC MLS record with Mezquida as a starter was 8W-2L-2D. Mezquida did start the CCL match at Seattle Sounders FC on September 23 before leaving in the second half after re-injuring his left hamstring.
Winger Kekuta Manneh has scored three times against LA Galaxy, including both matches from last year.
Striker Octavio Rivero has played in every MLS match since joining the club, starting all but four games.
Midfielder Marco Bustos dresses for the first time this season and only the second time in his young career – second half sub on October 14.
INJURY REPORT
Christian Dean (left foot), Russell Teibert (left calf), and Kianz Froese (concussion) are out due to injury. Froese has returned to training after suffering the injury in Whitecaps FC 2 preseason play versus Seattle Sounders FC 2 on March 16.
SUSPENSIONS
Masato Kudo (simulation/embellishment) is suspended for tonight's match.
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
.