VANCOUVER, B.C. - Vancouver Whitecaps FC are on the road again as they continue to rack up early season air miles. The Caps take on 1-2-1 Real Salt Lake in Sandy, Utah on Saturday night. The road has been kind to the 3-1-1 Caps as they've won two of three fixtures away from B.C Place. Including a 2-1 second half come from behind win against Columbus Crew SC on Saturday.
Vancouver's next opponent is of special significance for centre-back, Aaron Maund. Whitecaps FC acquired Maund from Real Salt Lake on August 9, 2017. If Maund is selected this will be his first opportunity to play against the club he spent four and a half seasons with. Maund played in 64 matches with Real Salt Lake, and scored two goals.
"It's just another game I want to win," Maund said about his potential return. "It's no bad blood, nothing. I just want to win the game. I mean it was a long time I was there. I have a lot of good memories. Salt Lake was an invaluable part of my career. I grew a lot there, I learned a lot there. Now I'm here, happy, feeling good, so ready to get three points."
Real Salt Lake Goalkeeper Nick Rimando, has often been regarded among the top keepers in MLS. Now that Maund is fully acclimated with Whitecaps FC, perhaps he can offer some insight in to the brain, and weaknesses of his former shot-stopping teammate.
"I don't know if I really want to get into his brain," Maund laughed. "I watched their last game, just like I watch any team that we're playing. We're just going to approach it like any other week."
The 38 year-old Rimando came up big in Real Salt Lake's match against Toronto FC on Friday, March 30 at BMO Field. While he was able to stop a Sebastian Giovinco penalty kick, it wasn't enough as Toronto prevailed with a 3-1 victory.
The now 27 year-old Maund had a good run with Real Salt Lake. They were the first team to finally give him an extended look and allow him to show what he could do on the defensive end. While he does still have property in 'The Mormon State' he is coming into Rio Tinto Stadium looking to play spoiler and leave with three points for his new team.
"It's a normal road test." Maund explained. "Can you stay compact, take the crowd out of it. After that, I think just sticking together, and doing what we've been doing these past weeks. It's still a work in progress, but I thought it looked really good on Saturday. We're going to try and improve upon it."
Other than the eleven players lined up on the other end of the pitch, Whitecaps FC may also need to prepare for unusual circumstances. Weathering the first 10 - 15 minutes could actually mean the Utah forecast, and not just the opposition. The Caps fell 3-0 to Real Salt Lake last season in a blizzard that broke out just after the half-time whistle.
RedNation Online made sure to remind Assistant Coach Martyn Pert of the snowstorm.
"You know what, I hadn't even thought about that, so thanks for reminding me." said Pert "Honestly, I've been in some games were my feet have been really cold, but that probably was the iceberg. That was... oh my god, for the whole second half my feet were numb. Hopefully not that this weekend. I've heard it's going to be quite windy."
The Dorchester, Massachusetts native, started the first four games of the season for Vancouver, if he plays at the weekend, Maund will be facing a team that's not as good as they use to be. This isn't the Real Salt Lake defensive stalwart of years gone by. They have players that can make a difference on offence. Vancouver will be in tough from start to finish, weather elements or not.
"They've got decent players." Pert admitted. "They haven't changed too many from last season. They've got a really good front-four, lots of interchanges, and movement. (Jefferson) Savorino, the boy from Venezuela has a great shot from distance. (Albert) Rusnak gets turned, they like to play little one and twos. (Joao) Plata has always done well against us, so we're looking to negate that. They're a strong team. Particularly at home, they've got a good record at home."
The Whitecaps FC road warriors will look to build momentum with back to back road wins. It's never easy to win away from home, but the Caps have found some success. Real Salt Lake will of course have other ideas, and that's why they play the beautiful game.
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