VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC have their backs against the wall in the second and decisive leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal versus Ottawa Fury FC tonight at BC Place. Tickets remain available here.
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. PT | TV: TSN2 | RADIO: TSN 1040
Here are three storylines for the all-important matchup.
WIN OR GO HOME
The 'Caps find themselves needing a win by at least three goals to advance to their second straight ACC final appearance after suffering
a 2-0 road loss to Fury FC in the first leg
last week.
A 2-0 win for Vancouver in the second leg would also force the series into extra time.
Also of note is Russell Teibert, who was awarded the 2015 George Gross Memorial Trophy as last year's ACC Most Valuable Player and donned the captain's armband last week, will tie former Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Jay Nolly for most matches played in ACC history with 15 with his next appearance.
OFFENCE: LOCKED AND LOADED
With the ‘Caps needing goals to have a chance at advancing, head coach Carl Robinson will be looking to Kekuta Manneh, Octavio Rivero, and Pedro Morales to provide the offence. The trio has combined to score a dozen goals in 2016.
After coming out of the gates slow to start the MLS season, the ‘Caps attack has been clicking as of late, averaging two goals per match in their last eight MLS outings. They’ve scored at least two goals in six of the eight matches, including a four-goal performance at Toronto FC last May 14.
Vancouver also found scoring from unlikely sources in the 2015 Amway Canadian Championship campaign, with Tim Parker and Matias Laba each finding the net.
DEFENDING THE NET
With the away goal rule in play, the ‘Caps defence will need to be a strong presence in front of the Vancouver net.
Second-year centre back Tim Parker and experienced fullback Jordan Harvey continue their consistent play in the back, as they are tied for most minutes played among Whitecaps FC players with 1,260. Parker is third in MLS with 76 clearances and is tied for fourth with 12 blocks.
With Kendall Waston away on international duty, Robinson may go with MLS SuperDraft selection Cole Seiler or the versatile Andrew Jacobson at centre back.
The 6-foot-2 Jacobson, whose natural position is at midfield, is on his eighth MLS season and has started in the back twice this year – the March 26 1-0 win and the May 28 1-1 draw, both against Houston Dynamo.
It's elimination night at BC Place. You wouldn't want to miss this one. Get your tickets or tune in to TSN2 at 7 p.m.
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.