Music: {allcanada} Whitecaps on verge of MLS playoff spot

Sunday, October 21, 2012

{allcanada} Whitecaps on verge of MLS playoff spot

The match

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Portland Timbers

Date and Location

Sunday, Oct. 21 at 4 pm PT, at Vancouver's BC Place Stadium.

Broadcast details

Watch the game live on Sportsnet ONE starting at 4 pm PT/7 pm ET

Setting the scene

It's quite simple, with no mathematical formulas to figure out: win and they're in.

The Whitecaps (11-12-9) can become the first Canadian team to qualify for Major League Soccer's playoffs with a victory Sunday at home against the Timbers (7-16-9).

"It's great for this organization because it's a big step," Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit told the Canadian Press. "There's three teams now in the MLS that are from Canada, and to be the first in anything is a positive thing."

And even if the Whitecaps don't win, they still might advance to the post-season, provided FC Dallas loses on the road against the Seattle Sounders later on Sunday.

Vancouver would also secure a post-season berth with a draw if Dallas draws or loses to Seattle.

Vancouver is currently holding onto the fifth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 42 points, sitting on a four-point lead over Dallas with two matches left in the regular season. A win this week, or next week at Real Salt Lake would clinch it for the Whitecaps.

But even though Portland sits in second-last place in the West, Vancouver can't take a victory for granted. The Whitecaps are winless in four all-time MLS meetings between the two sides, and are winless in two matches this season against the Timbers.

"We know what we've got to do, and that's win one of the next two games, and the sooner we do that, the better. The magnitude of this game, obviously what's at stake - it adds an extra bit of spice to it," defender Andy O'Brien told the Whitecaps' official website.

News and notes

Some good news for Vancouver coach Martin Rennie is that he has plenty of options to choose from, with the majority of his players healthy and available for selection. That includes forward Darren Mattocks and midfielder John Thorrington, who both suffered hamstring injuries against Seattle on Sept. 29... Midfielder Omar Salgado, out with a broken foot suffered while playing for the U.S. under-20 team in June, is also available... Defenders Ian Hogg (ankle) and Chris Taylor (hip) are out for Portland, while forward Kris Boyd (abductor strain) is doubtful... Portland has been outscored 35-9 while going 0-12-4 away from home this campaign. Sunday marks the Timbers' final road game, and if they don't earn three points they will become the fifth team in MLS history to go an entire season winless on the road. Vancouver went 0-12-5 away from home last year... The Timbers are 0-12-6 on the road since a 1-0 win in Vancouver on Oct. 2, 2011. Portland also boasts a 3-0-1 record against the Whitecaps since both clubs entered MLS in 2011... This is the third meeting of the season between these clubs. The teams battled to a 1-1 draw in Portland on May 26, and the Timbers won 2-1 at home on Aug. 25.

Player to watch for Vancouver

Barry Robson: The Scottish veteran has proven to be a crucial player for the Whitecaps since joining the club in mid-season. In a game of such importance, Vancouver, now more than ever, needs him to boss the midfield and provide sublime distribution for the forwards.

Player to watch for Portland

Donovan Ricketts: Vancouver is going to be up for this one, so expect them to be aggressive in the final third and fire as many shots as they can on goal. It'll be up to the Ricketts, Portland's veteran goalkeeper, to keep them in the game.

The Vancouver perspective

"We have to just try not to put too much pressure on ourselves. We've done enough this season to be where we are right now, and that's what we need to take confidence in." – defender Jay DeMerit.

The Portland perspective

I think when you're on the road especially, you have to minimize the mistakes you make defensively and when you get chances on the offensive side, make the most of them." -- midfielder Jack Jewsbury told the Timbers' official website.

What's next

The Whitecaps visit Real Salt Lake next Saturday in their final match of the regular season.