TORONTO, ONT – Vancouver Whitecaps FC visit Canadian rival Toronto FC for the first and only time this regular season today at the newly renovated BMO Field.
KICKOFF: 4:30 p.m. PT | TV: TSN 1/3/4/5 | RADIO: TSN 1040
Here are three storylines to get you set for the match.
MISSING PIECES
Though the ‘Caps are riding a two-match win streak, they’ll have to face the third-place Eastern Conference side without some of their key players.
On the injury front, strikers Octavio Rivero and Masato Kudo did not travel – Rivero is nursing a left ankle sprain while Kudo suffered a fractured jaw in Wednesday’s match. The ‘Caps will also be without the services of centre back Kendall Waston, who will be serving a one-match suspension due to caution accumulation.
“It doesn’t matter to me who we play,” Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said of his lineup decisions. “What matters to me is the performance, the levels, the intensity, the tempo of the play, and the results. The young players will be asked to step in and the same will be expected.”
It’s going to be hard to follow up his two-goal outing and bicycle kick winner in Wednesday’s win over Chicago, but it’s safe to say we can expect to see Blas Pérez in the fold once again today.
THE ANT VS. THE BUG
Reigning MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco has picked up right after he left off after a remarkable debut season, either scoring or assisting all 10 of Toronto FC’s goals thus far.
“He is in my mind the best player in the league,” said Whitecaps FC goalkeeper David Ousted. “He poses a lot of threats. Obviously you see him on the ball. He can make assists but he can also take it one on one and score goals. It’s one of those situations where you need to be aware of him and focus on where he drifts off to, but also be aware of the runs they make off of him.”
At 5-foot-4, Giovinco is known as The Atomic Ant. He’s one of the shortest players in the league. That designation belongs to 5-foot-2 'Caps winger Cristian Techera, who goes by The Bug.
These guys are fun to watch.
FAMILIAR FACES
One Toronto FC player will look very familiar to ‘Caps players and fans.
After being traded in the offseason, fullback Steven Beitashour will face his former side for the first time this season, wearing red instead of blue and white. Beitashour joined the ‘Caps in 2014, and made a total of 58 appearances.
So far with Toronto FC, he has played all but one minute this season.
This will also be a special match for a few Whitecaps FC players.
Both Robinson and Whitecaps FC midfielder Matias Laba formerly played for Toronto FC, while Fraser Aird and Russell Teibert grew up in Ontario. In fact, Aird was a Toronto FC season ticket holder growing up. This will be his first professional match in his home province.
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! 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.
