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October 28, 2017 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C. - Vancouver Whitecaps FC are embracing the underdog role as they prepare to take on Seattle Sounders FC in the MLS western conference semifinals. The first leg will take place in Vancouver on Sunday, with the return on Thursday night in Seattle. The Caps are riding high after a 5-0 knockout win over San Jose on Wednesday.
"When you win a game 5-0 the confidence is too good," revealed, Christian Bolaños. "You have to concentrate, that game is over, but that's football. When you get results like that, you get great confidence, everyone wants to play the next game. That's who we are right now."
Vancouver finished with a 1-1-1 record against Cascadia rival, Seattle this season. The most recent matchup resulted in a 3-0 thrashing by Sounders FC on September 27, at CenturyLink Field. The Caps want to forget about that match and prove that they can compete with the defending MLS Cup champions, while also knocking them out of the playoffs.
Franchise playoff assist leader, Brek Shea, is raring to have another go at Seattle.
"Yeah, it's a playoff game," Shea said. "I don't know what Cascadia stuff is, but it's a big game. It's a playoff game, the last game is behind us. We're just excited about tomorrow. They beat us a few times this season, so we're ready to go at them. It's a rivalry game."
Whitecaps FC skipper, Kendall Waston, has been a force down the stretch. He has stepped up his game and shown that he can be counted on at both ends of the pitch. No longer is he playing reckless, and red card waiting to happen. He's clearing headers, scoring goals, and dominating in the box. It's an enjoyable time for the 'Towering Tico'.
"Scoring goals, helping your teammates, helping the team, it's an extra," admitted Waston. "My main thing is to defend, but when I do attack, I have to do something else. It's nice because everybody is prepared to make a great performance in the weekend. My main focus now, is to keep the same standard to raise it up."
Seattle Sounders FC Coach, Brian Schmetzer, will have to look for scoring depth as Clint Dempsey (Suspension), Jordan Morris (Hamstring), and Brad Evans (Back) will be unavailable for first leg selection. The visitors will want to gain an advantage by scoring a coveted 'Away Goal', so that begs an interesting question.
Does Vancouver need to go out and defend, defend, defend, or score a goal themselves?
"We have to score, we're playing at home," said a confident Bolaños. "It's two legs, we have to fight a lot, we have to run a lot. They're a really good team, but in this position, we can score a lot of goals. We are very confident right now, everyone is very positive. Everyone just wants to win the game for our city."
After blitzing San Jose with four second half goals, will the scoring department dry up?
"No, no, no, a few more for sure," Waston said.
The message at training this week has been to keep on doing, what you're doing. Play your game, and take care of business at home. Vancouver has momentum, but Seattle has the rest. The Caps are the healthier of the two, and will sleep in their own beds tonight. Set piece plays are what Vancouver does best, and Seattle knows that. Adding another wrinkle that could leave Seattle guessing, could make all the difference.
"We're a team that kind of goes at teams, especially at home," Shea said. "I think our game plan won't change from all year. We'll go out, and see how it plays out."
The Whitecaps respect what Seattle accomplished last season, and what they have done this season. However, with Portland Timbers FC winning the MLS Cup in 2015, and Seattle winning last season. Vancouver wants to show that another Cascadia club is ready to rise #ForVancouver and win this years MLS Cup on December 9.
"We respect them, I know they are the champions, but they have to know it's a difficult game for them tomorrow," Bolaños said.
This will be the first time Vancouver and Seattle have met in the MLS Cup Playoffs and it's bound to be another exciting, high scoring, derby. Only this time the winner advances to the western conference final with the MLS Cup on the horizon.
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