Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Colorado Rapids | 2019 MLS Match Preview

2019-06-22-VAN-COL

2019 MLS Regular Season — Week 16
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Colorado Rapids
 BC Place — Vancouver
June 22 - 10:00 PM ET


TV: TSN


STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US


Western Conference foes hoping to maintain form from before the Gold Cup break meet at BC Place when the Vancouver Whitecaps host the Colorado Rapids Saturday night.


The Whitecaps (4-6-6) resume MLS play one point below the playoff line in the Western Conference and are unbeaten in their last four games, including a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on May 31. Fredy Montero broke the scoreless stalemate with an 84th-minute penalty kick only to have Nick DeLeon respond six minutes later.


The Rapids (4-9-3) enter fresh off a fourth-round U.S. Open Cup departure, exiting via a penalty kick shootout with New Mexico United after the teams played to a 2-2 draw. Goals by Diego Rubio and Nicolas Mezquida 11 minutes apart on either side of halftime erased an early deficit and put the Rapids in the driver's seat. But Kevaughn Frater dramatically leveled in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time and the USL Championship visitors prevailed 4-2 on penalty kicks. 


Colorado have won four of their previous five league games, including a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United in their last regular season contest on June 8. This is the teams' second regular-season meeting, as the Whitecaps prevailed at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, 3-2, on May 3. Andy Rose scored the winner three minutes from full time.   


Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Colorado Rapids | 2019 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • Injury Report:
    • OUT: Joaquín Ardaiz (F) - left hamstring strain
    • OUT: Thomas Hasal (GK) - left shoulder sprain
    • OUT: Jasser Khmiri (D) - left knee injury
    • OUT: David Norman Jr. (M) - right foot surgery
    • QUESTIONABLE: Michael Baldisimo (M) - left ankle injury
  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: None
  • International duty:  Maxime Crépeau (FK), Derek Cornelius (D), Doneil Henry (D), Russell Teibert (M), Lass Bangoura (M)


Colorado Rapids

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Colorado Rapids | 2019 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • Injury Report:
    • OUT: Kortne Ford (D) - knee surgery
    • OUT: Deklan Wynne (D) - foot injury
    • QUESTIONABLE: Sam Nicholson (M) - hamstring injury
  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: Diego Rubio (F), Kellyn Acosta (M)
  • International duty: Jonathan Lewis (M)


Series Matchup at Whitecaps


  • Whitecaps: 5 wins, 18 goals
  • Rapids: 3 wins, 13 goals
  • 3 draws


Officials


  • Referee: Fotis Bazakos
  • Assistant Referees: Brian Poeschel, Matthew Nelson
  • 4th Official: Ramy Touchan
  • VAR: Ricardo Salazar