SEATTLE, WA - Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to take on Seattle Sounders FC at 7 p.m. PT in the first Cascadia Cup match of 2016 (TSN1 and TSN 1410 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; 7.Christian Bolaños, 27.Blas Pérez, 23.Kekuta Manneh; 29.Octavio Rivero
Substitutes
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 3.Sam Adekugbe, 9.Masato Kudo, 11.Nicolas Mezquida, 13.Cristian Techera, 14.Cole Seiler, 17.Andrew Jacobson
NOTES
WFC head coach Carl Robinson makes three changes to his starting XI. Right back Fraser Aird is in for a suspended Jordan Smith, while Christian Bolaños and Blas Pérez replace Deybi Flores and Cristian Techera.
Robinson’s XI brings a lot of experience with an average age of 27 years, six months, and two weeks – includes five players in their 30's. Last week’s starters had an average age of 25 years and nine months.
In total, nine different birth countries (Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica (x2), Denmark, The Gambia, Panama, United States (x2), Uruguay) are represented in the starters.
Following tonight’s match, four starters leave for international duty: Bolaños and Waston with Costa Rica, Pérez with Panama, and Tim Parker with the US U-23 side.
Keeper David Ousted makes his 87th 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 (122 – including today) in consecutive MLS matches.
Aird makes his second start with Whitecaps FC; after playing 90 minutes in the club’s season opener, Aird played the second half last week in Kansas City.
Including last year, tonight is the sixth consecutive match that Waston and Parker are the starting centre backs. Waston has scored off a corner in two of those matches.
Left back Jordan Harvey makes his 116th regular season start tonight for WFC, equalling Gershon Koffie for the club's MLS record.
Bolaños makes his second start for WFC, missing last week following the MLS Disciplinary Committee decision
21-year-old winger Kekuta Manneh has scored 17 goals and added 10 assists in 83 appearances - includes six goals and eight assists in 43 games at BC Place and four goals and one assist in four matches at CenturyLink
Pérez, who turned 35 last Sunday, is making his 100th MLS regular season appearances tonight and his first start with WFC. Pérez was a second half sub in Vancouver’s first two matches this year.
Striker Octavio Rivero has played in every MLS match since joining the club, starting all but four games.
INJURY REPORT
Christian Dean (left foot) and Russell Teibert (left calf) are both out due to injury.
SUSPENSIONS
Jordan Smith (red card) and Kianz Froese (serious foul play) are both 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
.