VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are back home after a dramatic road win last week, as they host the high-scoring Houston Dynamo at BC Place tonight.
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Here are three storylines for the match.
HOME SWEET HOME
Tonight is the eighth meeting between Whitecaps FC and Houston Dynamo with the home side winning each time.
The two clubs most recently met in Decision Day last October 25, with the ‘Caps winning 3-0 to clinch the second seed in the Western Conference and a Knockout Round bye in the MLS Cup Playoffs. It was Vancouver's last home win.
If the 'Caps are to extend that streak, they will need to find a way to stop the Dynamo attack that is off to a record-setting pace, scoring 11 goals in the first three matches.
CENTRE BACK SITUATION
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hfAbKH-LX3M"></a> |
<b>LOOK BACK: Whitecaps FC defeat Houston Dynamo 3-0 on Decision Day</b> |
With Kendall Waston and Tim Parker away on international duty, the 'Caps will have to rely on their depth at centre back to contain the likes of Will Bruin and Andrew Wenger.
The ‘Caps have had either Waston or Parker on their starting XI for every MLS match since the latter joined the club as a rookie in March 2015.
With Christian Dean still recovering from a fractured left foot, Carl Robinson could turn to the veteran Pa-Modou Kah and the rookie Cole Seiler to man the middle. Newly-acquired midfielder Andrew Jacobson has also previously seen minutes on the backline and could be asked to drop back.
Kah’s last start was on October 14, 2015, playing 81 minutes next to Parker in a 2-0 loss at FC Dallas while Waston was away on international duty.
Seiler, a 2016 MLS SuperDraft pick, dressed as a substitute for the first time last week but has yet to make his MLS debut. The former Georgetown Hoya made four preseason appearances for the ‘Caps, making one start – playing 61 shutout minutes next to Dean in a 2-1 ‘Caps victory over Seattle Sounders FC.
Jacobson made his Whitecaps FC debut last Saturday as a second-half substitute after joining the team the previous week. While all his 33 MLS starts with New York City FC last season were in midfield, he lined up at centre back in his last start for the expansion side in their 2-1 friendly win over the Puerto Rican national team on December 22, 2015.
INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Besides Waston and Parker, Vancouver will also miss a few other players due to call-ups.
Christian Bolaños is playing alongside Waston for Costa Rica in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, where they are grouped together with Panama and striker Blas Pérez.
Marco Bustos and Marco Carducci will also be unavailable while they're with the Canada U-20 national team for a training camp and international friendly versus England U-20.
On the other side, Houston will be without midfielder Boniek Garcia (two assists in three matches) and striker Erick Torres.
Can Robinson push the right buttons for the 'Caps to earn their first home win of the season? Tune in tonight to find out.
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