BC Place will be the destination of a major western conference clash this tonight as Whitecaps FC (11-10-8) play host to Real Salt Lake (14-10-6) in a game that has huge implications. Vancouver currently sits 6th in the west, just 4 points out of the 5th and final playoff spot. For the Whitecaps anything less than all 3 points will be hard to swallow and would be disastrous to their playoff ambitions. Meanwhile, RSL is battling with Seattle for the coveted 1st place while also pushing for the MLS Supporters Shield.
The Caps are flying high after a massive 3-0 victory on the road in Montreal last Saturday. Vancouver’s deadly duo of DP Kenny Miller and Camilo finally rediscovered their scoring ways as they scored all 3 of Vancouver’s goals. The victory came at a cost though as Miller suffered a lower body injury which may keep him from playing against RSL. If this is the case, Whitecaps head coach Martin Rennie will face a tough decision of who will replace Miller in the starting XI. Canadian international Russell Teibert – who was dropped from the starting XI last week – is the most likely replacement, while Darren Mattocks and Kekuta Manneh also remain possibilities.
Vancouver was once the most dominate home team in the league but in their last two homes games they suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to the Galaxy before grabbing a 2-2 tie vs lowly Chivas USA thanks to an injury time goal courtesy of Tommy Heinemann. However, the Caps can take heart in the fact that RSL is coming off a 2-1 home loss to the San Jose Earthquakes
Given the recent results for both the Whitecaps and RSL it would be hard to predict the outcome of Saturday’s showdown. And with the infamous Baldomero Toledo in charge of officiating the game anything could happen. So sit back, grab some popcorn, and hold your breath.
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