Colorado Rapids vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC
MLS Regular Season, Week 10
May 3, 2019 - 7:00 PM
DICK'S Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, Colorado
It's still early days in the Marc Dos Santos era
There was a lot of buzz surrounding Vancouver Whitecaps FC as they entered their ninth season in the league. Not only did the Canadian club only bring back 10 players from their 2018 squad, they also brought in a new head coach in Marc Dos Santos, a former LAFC assistant.
Dos Santos was tasked with executing an overhaul in Vancouver, but after nine regular season games and an overall record of 1-5-3 the early reviews have been mixed. The 'Caps are still winless on the road in 2019, with an 0-3-1 record away from BC Place.
"Yes, it's a process," Dos Santos told MLSSoccer.com. "Is the team going to be stronger in 2020? Absolutely yes. But the club chose the wrong guy if they want a guy that says 'No it's a process, we have to stay patient.' I'm not. I want to win now. I'm working every day to make this work. I want this to happen now."
Rapids duo face former team
There will be a sense of familiarity on Friday evening as Vancouver Whitecaps FC rolls into town. Kei Kamara (2018) and Nicolás Mezquida (2014-18), both former Whitecaps players, are set to face their old club.
Kamara was acquired on December 11 from Vancouver after spending a year with the Canadian club. The striker featured in 28 games with the 'Caps, and led the team with 14 goals during the 2018 season.
Mezquida joined the club in 2014 from Centro Atlético Fénixand the midfielder featured in 101 regular season games over five years, scoring 12 goals and adding four assists.
What to watch for...
Connor Cape, Radio Play-by-Play Announcer
Sometimes in sports you can do everything the right way, put forth maximum effort, give it everything you've got and still be on the wrong end of the result. Sports can be cruel like that and the Rapids tasted that bitter truth Saturday evening in downtown Atlanta, Georgia after Julian Gressel poked a ball off the near post. For 74 minutes, everything was going according to plan. The Rapids had frustrated Atlanta United players and fans and looked poised to sneak out with a tie or a win.
A difficult result to stomach but it can be forgotten and overcome Friday night at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Burgundy Boys will be looking for any sort of change to spark a winning streak and maybe getting out of the routine of Saturday games will be the kindling. Getting back in front of the home fans will surely be energizing, as well. Look for the Rapids to get back to basics, put together a complete 90 minutes and start the weekend with three points.
Jordan Angeli, Radio Analyst
The Rapids return home for two games starting off against Vancouver on Friday night. Whitecaps FC sits just four points above the Rapids with their only win coming in a mid-week match against LAFC on April 17. The 'Caps have only scored 0.75 goals per game, the lowest in Major League Soccer.
After the game in Atlanta, Colorado gave us all a taste of what they can do defensively. The strength of the team came in the cohesion as a unit. It is tiring work but the Rapids were up to the task. This mentality needs to stay alive as they continue to work towards a full 90-minute performance. I'm looking for a combination of the attention to detail defensively while adding their attacking flare to the game too. It’s all about belief. When things aren’t going your way, how do you react? I see this team coming together and believing in who they are individually and as a unit. Look for some fire and belief within the squad on Friday.
