VANCOUVER, BC – After their midweek heroics in the Voyageurs Cup it’s back to MLS action this weekend as Carl Robinson’s ‘Caps head on the road for a clash with Houston Dynamo.
KICKOFF: 6 p.m. PT TV: TSN 1 RADIO: TSN 1410
Here are three storylines to get you set for the match.
BACK TO BUSINESS
The celebrations will live long in the memory after the ‘Caps finally clinched the Voyageurs Cup for the first time in the club’s history. It was a memorable night, one that everyone involved in the club enjoyed. But the sense among the squad is that they’re not done yet.
“The season is not over yet,” Russell Teibert said after the match. “We still have a lot of work to do.” David Ousted agreed: “I think the silverware is going to give us confidence going forward,” he said. “It is going to make us hungry to try and win a couple more trophies. Let’s see where we get to but I think we are going in the right direction.”
The hunt for silverware continues this weekend with a crucial clash against Houston Dynamo. The ‘Caps enter Saturday’s contest second in the Western Conference meaning that a win on Saturday could move Vancouver into the top spot in both the Western Conference and the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings – depending on LA Galaxy’s result against San Jose Earthquakes.
BEAT THE HEAT
As well as beating a resurgent Dynamo side the ‘Caps will have to battle the elements on Saturday when they come against the heat and humidity at the BBVA Compass Stadium.
With the mercury set to hit 36 degrees on Saturday it will be crucial for the ‘Caps to maintain possession in order to avoid wilting in the Houston heat like LA Galaxy did during their 3-0 loss in July.
Keeping a hold of the ball will be key and the ‘Caps holding midfielders will play a crucial role in that. As well as breaking up play the likes of Matias Laba, Gershon Koffie and Russell Teibert help set the tone for the team, helping to shift the ball around and start attacking moves from deep. It’s perhaps no surprise then that Teibert (89.73%) and Laba (83.54%) lead the team in terms of passing-accuracy, and the boys in Blue and White will be relying on their efficiency in possession come 6 p.m. on Saturday.
BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Saturday will see a Battle of British coaches as Carl Robinson and Owen Coyle go toe-to-toe on the touchline. Robbo has been a revelation at the ‘Caps, with the Welshman leading the Blue and White to the playoffs in 2014 and an impressive outing so far in 2015.
His counterpart Owen Coyle is getting his first taste of MLS action this year having made the move from England where he managed teams including Burnley, Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic. The Scotsman took over the reigns in December and has endured an up and down campaign during his first year in MLS.
The Dynamo currently trail Seattle Sounders FC by three points in the battle for the sixth and final playoff position in the West, a position that would have been seen as par for the course when the season kicked off. However expectations have risen with the recent arrival of Erick “Cubo” Torres - who scored 15 goals in 29 matches with Chivas USA last season – and after a midweek defeat to Colorado Rapids Coyle and co. will be looking to set the record straight against the high flying ‘Caps.
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