Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Colorado Rapids
2017 MLS Match Preview
Saturday, Sept. 23 - 10 pm ET
BC Place - Vancouver, B.C.
WATCH: TSN 1, 4, 5 in Canada | MLS LIVE in the US
Despite entering Week 29 in first-place in the Western Conference standings, Saturday night might be the final time the Vancouver Whitecaps enter a match as a clear favorite.
Although Carl Robinson's squad is unbeaten with 14 points taken from its last six league matches, Vancouver has trips to fellow West contenders Seattle, Portland and Kansas City remaining on the schedule over their final six fixtures. Their only other home encounter will come against what could be a desperate San Jose Earthquakes side playing for their playoff life in the penultimate week of the season.
So three points against the last-place Colorado Rapids would seem the only acceptable option for Vancouver. And yet while reports swirl pertaining to Colorado's coaching future, things have finally improved a bit under interim boss Steve Clarke. After four straight losses, Colorado defeated Houston on Sept. 9 for a first away win of 2017 and followed that with a home draw against playoff-bound New York City FC.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Suspended: Kendall Waston (yellow card accumulation)
- Suspended next yellow card: Fredy Montero, Tony Tchani
- International Duty: None
- Injury Report: OUT: D David Edgar (PCL, MCL tear), M Matias Laba (torn ACL); QUESTIONABLE: M Christian Bolanos (left knee contusion)
Projected Lineup
(4-2-3-1, left to right)
David Ousted – Jordan Harvey, Tim Parker, Andrew Jacobson, Jakob Nerwinski – Tony Tchani, Aly Ghazal – Brek Shea, Yordy Reyna, Cristian Techera – Fredy Montero
Notes: Vancouver's six-game undefeated run is tied for the second-longest in the club’s history, matching a stretch in 2014. The club’s MLS record is eight games, set from April 19 to June 25 of 2014.
Colorado Rapids
- Suspended: None
- Suspended next yellow card: Eric Miller, Kevin Doyle
- International Duty: None
- Injury Report: OUT: F Kevin Doyle (concussion)
Projected Starting XI (4-4-2, left to right): Tim Howard – Mekeil Williams, Axel Sjoberg, Kortne Ford, Eric Miller – Josh Gatt, Micheal Azira, Jared Watts, Marlon Hairston – Mohammed Saied, Dominique Badji
Notes: Colorado has avoided defeat in consecutive matches only three times this season. It's longest unbeaten run of the season was a three-match winning streak, set from May 27 to June 17.
All-Time Series
The Rapids have edged the series overall, although the Whitecaps took four points from their two trips to Colorado earlier this season.
- Overall: Whitecaps 6 wins (24 goals), Rapids 9 wins (27 goals), 4 draws
- At Vancouver: Whitecaps 4 wins (16 goals), Rapids 2 wins (11 goals), 3 draws
Referees
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Assistant Referees: Eric Boria, Felisha Mariscal
Fourth Official: Alejandro Mariscal
VAR: Dave Gantar
