VANCOUVER, BC – "Every game is a cup final."
Those were the words uttered by Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson and it begins on Saturday evening when they visit Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park.
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. PT | TV: TSN1 | RADIO: TSN 1040
Here are the storylines as the 'Caps look to make the climb back to the Western Conference playoff picture:
MIDWEST SWING
The 'Caps find themselves in a hole right now, sitting two spots outside of the top six.
The end of the season is fast approaching but there is still plenty of football left to be played (nine MLS matches, to be exact), and there's no better time to swing things around than tonight in the Midwest.
Nicolas Mezquida, who was lively against San Jose on Friday, firing five shots on target and scoring the 'Caps only goal, will likely be involved if the 'Caps can steal one in Kansas City. A win puts Vancouver right back in the thick of the race.
The comeback fell short, but this @WhitecapsFC set piece was https://t.co/JC8wX30xkM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 13, 2016
HOME-AND-AWAY
Tonight is the first of a home-and-away series between the budding rivals.
Four nights later, the scene shifts to BC Place, where the 'Caps and Sporting KC meet in CONCACAF Champions League play for the first time. (Kickoff is a 7 p.m. - tickets remain available.)
Robinson and the 'Caps are looking for their first-ever win in Kansas City, which undoubtedly will carry some momentum going into Tuesday evening.
SELECTION SATURDAY
Given the hectic schedule and the recent slide, it will be interesting which players are selected for Saturday evening's massive matchup. Robinson said earlier this week that "decisions will be made based upon trying to win a game of football."
Available on the bench in recent matches are Russell Teibert, Fraser Aird, and Alphonso Davies. Will they get their chances? And if so, the bigger question is, can they give the 'Caps a lift?
Watch the game live on TSN1 at 7 p.m. tonight to find out.
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.