Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs - Knockout Round
BC Place – Vancouver, B.C.
Wednesday, Oct. 25 – 10:30 pm ET
WATCH: UniMás in the US (w/ SAP for English) | TSN, TVA Sports 2 in Canada
NBC Sports-California (San Jose)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC and San Jose Earthquakes embark on the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs with a Knockout Round showdown at BC Place. The teams enter the match in contrasting form and circumstances. On one hand, Vancouver were the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a postseason berth, while San Jose were the final side to book a spot. But the Quakes are 2-0-1 in the final three games of the regular season, while Vancouver were 0-2-1 in that stretch, which included a 1-1 draw between the teams in Vancouver.
In MLS, it's a safe bet to take the home team, and Vancouver, as the higher seed, should be the favorite here. But in a one-and-done playoff game, anything can happen, and the last two MLS Cup champions started their run to glory in the Knockout Round. If San Jose pull off an upset here, maybe they'll be on their way, too. But first things first: the Whitecaps and Quakes will square off.
Free MLS LIVE Stream
Fans outside of Canada and San Jose can watch the match for FREE using MLS LIVE. Fans in Canada can watch the match on TSN and TVA Sports. Fans in San Jose can watch on NBC Sports California. Out-of-market fans can register to watch the free stream.
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- Behind the scenes: Inside Vancouver's playoff preparation
- Discuss: Which away team can advance in the Knockout Round?
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Suspended: None
- Int’l Duty: None
- Injury Report: OUT: M Matias Laba (ACL tear), D David Edgar (PCL and MCL tear)
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, left to right)
GK: Stefan Marinovic — Jordan Harvey, Tim Parker, Kendall Waston, Jake Nerwinski — Andrew Jacobson, Aly Ghazal — Christian Bolaños, Yordy Reyna, Cristian Techera — Fredy Montero
Notes: Vancouver has only lost to San Jose once in nine MLS regular season home games (6W-2D), and they have outscored the Earthquakes 17-9 across those nine games. The Whitecaps finished the season unbeaten in seven consecutive regular season home games (4W-3D). They have scored in 11 consecutive home league games, averaging two goals per match on that run. Kendall Waston finished the season with 180 clearances, the second most of any player in MLS.
San Jose Earthquakes
- Suspended: None
- Int’l Duty: None
- Injury Report: OUT: D Harold Cummings (leg), D Marvell Wynne (heart), M/D Fatai Alashe (quad); QUESTIONABLE: D Nick Lima (hamstring)
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, left to right):
GK: Andrew Tarbell — Shea Salinas, Florian Jungwirth, Victor Bernardez, Kofi Sarkodie — Darwin Ceren, Anibal Godoy — Vako, Chris Wondolowski, Jahmir Hyka — Danny Hoesen
Notes: San Jose finished the MLS season losing eight of their last 10 MLS road games, and conceding an average of three goals per game across those nine matches. Chris Wondolowski finished the season with assists in three consecutive appearances, after making 21 consecutive league appearances without an assist.
All-Time Series
These teams have never met in the MLS Cup Playoffs. San Jose holds the edge in the regular season with a 1-0-1 record, beating Vancouver 3-2 in San Jose on March 11 and the teams drawing 1-1 in Vancouver October 15.
- Overall (regular season): Vancouver 6 wins (24 goals)...San Jose 4 wins (20 goals)...Ties 8
- At Vancouver (regular season): Vancouver 6 wins (17 goals)...San Jose 1 win (9 goals)...Ties 2
Referees
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowski, CJ Morgante
Fourth Official: Baldomero Toledo
VAR: Dave Gantar
