Vancouver Whitecaps look to buck road woes against expansion side Charlotte FC
VANCOUVER — After a near-perfect homestand, the Vancouver Whitecaps are as soon as once more hitting the street — a street that has not been sort to the membership this season.
The ‘Caps (3-6-2) have but to earn a single level away from B.C. Place this 12 months, dropping all 5 matches they’ve performed away from house.
That should change shortly, stated head coach Vanni Sartini.
“We have to win factors in opposition to everybody. And now we have to actually, actually, actually change gears away as a result of six video games house 11 factors? It is a playoff run. 5 video games away zero factors? It is ridiculous,” he stated. “We have to be a lot better.”
Vancouver is unbeaten in its final 4 video games throughout all competitions, together with a 2-0-1 file in Main League Soccer play and a 2-0 victory that superior the membership via to the subsequent spherical of the Canadian Championships. However whether or not momentum from these wins will switch from the turf at B.C. Place stays to be seen.
The Whitecaps’ subsequent likelihood to conquer their street demons will come Sunday when the workforce makes its inaugural go to to enlargement aspect Charlotte FC (4-7-1).
Whereas Charlotte’s coming off a 2-0 loss to CF Montreal, the league’s latest membership has had a strong begin and is 4-2-0 at house.
Karol Swiderski leads the workforce with 4 objectives on the season however the Polish striker hasn’t scored in his final 4 MLS appearances, a hunch he’ll be desperate to dump come Sunday.
Vancouver, in the meantime, might be with out its main scorer. Lucas Cavallini drew his fifth yellow card of the season within the ‘Caps 2-1 win over FC Dallas on Wednesday and is suspended from Sunday’s sport.
It is robust timing for the Canadian striker, who has two objectives and two assists in his final three MLS video games and earned a spot on the league’s “workforce of the week” on Thursday.
The Whitecaps will look as a substitute to Brian White, final season’s main scorer. The 26-year-old American additionally scored on Wednesday, heading in his second aim of the season.
“Any time you see the ball hitting the again of the web, you’re trying to construct off of that and proceed that momentum,” White stated. “So I’m going into the subsequent sport trying to rating once more.”
Cavallini knew his teammate was as a consequence of discover his scoring contact and instructed White earlier than Wednesday’s sport that he would come off the bench to have a huge impact.
“I’m glad he had the chance to do this. He’s been preventing arduous, he’s been working arduous and discovering his kind that he had from final 12 months,” Cavallini stated. “So I am completely happy he might get the tying aim for us, completely happy we might work with one another, completely happy we may very well be on the rating sheet collectively.”
The Whitecaps will want different gamers to spherical into kind if the membership goes to climb the standings. Vancouver at present sits on the backside of the Western Convention with 11 factors however is simply 4 factors beneath the playoff bar, and the ‘Caps have a sport in hand.
Whereas the beginning of the season hasn’t been what the workforce anticipated after making the playoffs final 12 months, there is a perception all through the group that they’ve what it takes, White stated.
“It’s unlucky that we form of dug ourselves into that gap once more this 12 months. But it surely’s all about taking it one sport at a time — three factors right here, then transferring on trying ahead to 3 factors the subsequent sport,” he stated.
“So proper now we’re simply centered on Charlotte and doing every part we will to get three factors on the street.”
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (3-6-2) AT CHARLOTTE FC (4-7-1)
Sunday, Financial institution of America Stadium
INJURY REPORT: The Whitecaps have been with out midfielders Ryan Gauld (well being and security protocol) and Caio Alexandre (left hand facture), defender Tristan Blackmon (proper knee sprain) and goalkeeper Thomas Hasal (left hand harm) on Wednesday. Charlotte’s harm listing options forwards Vinicius Mello (left foot surgical procedure) and Yordy Reyna (left thigh harm), midfielder Chris Hegardt (left knee surgical procedure), defender Adam Amour (left knee surgical procedure) and goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega (concussion). Defender Christian Fuchs is listed as questionable with a proper thigh harm.
LOW GOALS: Sunday’s tilt might not see many balls put behind a web. Vancouver is tied with Kansas Metropolis for the fewest objectives within the Western Convention (12), whereas Charlotte has the fewest within the East (10).
HELLO NEW FRIENDS: The Whitecaps have gained their final three video games in opposition to enlargement groups, together with a 2-1 victory over Austin FC final season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Might 20, 2022.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
