Storyline to Watch: Defense, Kamara looking to find form
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4-5-5) have seen their last four matches result in draws after a 3-3 stalemate against New England Revolution on Saturday at BC Place. The headlines should probably focus on the defense, but it was Kei Kamara's missed go-ahead chances against a former club that drew the headlines.
Kamara has four goals this season, but following the game Whitecaps' head coach Carl Robinson felt the need to back his player after a rough outing.
"Players go through ups and downs. It's important when players do that, the manager and coaches stick with players," Robinson said. "I think what's important is that you continue to back your players. That's not just me and the staff in there, that's the supporters. Players don't go out there to purposely miss."
Despite a topsy turvy start to the season, the Whitecaps currently sit above the red line in sixth in the Western Conference. This comes despite the fact that they've already conceded 27 goals, second most in MLS.
Player to Watch: Cristian Techera
Despite getting off to a slow start in 2018, it would be amiss to overlook Cristian Techera as this Friday's player to watch. The speedy winger was inserted into Carl Robinson's starting lineup against New England Revolution after subbing on against FC Dallas a week prior. The switch proved massive as he scored three times over a 25-minute span for his first career MLS hat trick, and the first for a Whitecaps player since Camilo Sanvezzo bagged three against the Rapids in the final game of the 2013 regular season. Techera's performance landed him the title of MLS Player of the Week.
In three meetings with the Whitecaps during the 2017 season, the Rapids held Techera to just one assist which came as a substitute in the 2-2 draw on August 5.
Colorado Rapids vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Head-to-Head
The Rapids have met Vancouver Whitecaps FC 20 times in the MLS regular season, resulting in a 9-7-4 record. The Whitecaps are currently teetering above the red line in the sixth spot in the West with a 4-5-5 overall record. The Rapids, meanwhile, are coming off a 3-2 loss at home to the Portland Timbers that sees their season record sit at 2-7-2 overall.
The last time the two sides met was in September of 2017, with the Whitecaps coming out on top 2-1 at BC Place.
The Rapids have the edge in the overall head-to-head series, and have won seven out of 10 games against the 'Caps at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park.
- Head-to-Head Overall: Colorado Rapids 9 wins, 28 goals | Vancouver Whitecaps FC 7 wins, 26 goals | 4 ties
- Head-to-Head at Colorado: Colorado Rapids 7 wins, 16 goals | Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 wins, 8 goals | 1 tie
- Previous Meeting: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Colorado Rapids 1 (September 23, 2017)
