After claiming a pair of wins over the weekend, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-0L-0D) wrap up their schedule in Group One at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic by taking on MLS Eastern Conference side Sporting Kansas City (0W-0L-2D) at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday at 3 p.m. PT.
Martin Rennie’s squad (3W-0L-2D in preseason) looked impressive in victories over a pair of MLS clubs. Last Friday night, the Blue and White defeated Canadian rivals and MLS expansion side Montreal Impact 3-0 before earning a 1-0 victory over defending Eastern Conference champions Houston Dynamo on Sunday. With two wins from two matches, Whitecaps FC have assured themselves a spot in Saturday’s final as Group One winners.
With a week-and-a-half left before MLS First Kick versus Montreal at BC Place on Saturday, March 10, Whitecaps FC have the opportunity to test themselves against last season’s top side in the Eastern Conference standings. With two more preseason matches to come on the weekend, it will be interesting to see how Rennie and his coaching staff approach this midweek contest.
Vancouver take on a Sporting KC side that are searching for their first win of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic after two consecutive draws versus Houston and Montreal. With a 3W-0L-2D record in preseason, the American Midwest outfit are also building towards their 2012 campaign, which will include the club’s first full year in their recently built LIVESTRONG Sporting Park home. Peter Vermes’ squad begin their season on the road at Eastern Conference rivals D.C. United on Saturday, March 10.
Whitecaps FC and Sporting KC met for the first time during MLS regular season play last season. In what only their second home match in MLS, the ‘Caps came from three goals down to earn a remarkable 3-3 draw with Kansas City at Empire Field on April 2, 2011. Sporting KC won the next encounter at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, as they defeated Vancouver 2-1 on June 25, 2011.
Following Wednesday’s game, Whitecaps FC will play the winners of Group Two in Saturday’s final at 5 p.m. PT. Group Two consists of MLS clubs FC Dallas and Toronto FC, Sweden’s BK Häcken, and hosts Orlando City SC of the third-tier United Soccer Leagues Professional Division.
The ‘Caps will follow that match with a trip to Cary, North Carolina, to face Rennie’s former club in North American Soccer League side Carolina RailHawks at WakeMed Soccer Park on Sunday at 12 p.m. PT.
