The Vancouver Whitecaps have bid adieu to their road jitters in convincing fashion.
In sharp contrast to a year ago, the Whitecaps are quietly piling up points away from home. They can build on the momentum Saturday when Vancouver visits Los Angeles to play Chivas USA in a game that evokes memories of their first-ever Major League Soccer road win.
After going winless on the road in their MLS expansion season in 2011, the Whitecaps won 1-0 at Chivas in March.
"That was a big night for the club, winning its first game ever on the road and, of course, it was our first away game of the season," said Vancouver coach Martin Rennie, who is in his first campaign with the club. "That does bring some confidence. But, of course, both teams have developed since then and caused each other different problems.
"This is a fresh game and a game that we just have to get focused on, and not really worry too much or think too much about the past, but just focus on what we can do now."
The Whitecaps are consistently posting positive road results these days, going 3-3-2 away from B.C. Place Stadium. They have a chance to earn a second straight road win on Saturday, after beating the Colorado Rapids 1-0 in Denver on Wednesday night.
The San Jose Earthquakes, with six, and Real Salt Lake, with four, are the only Western Conference teams with more road victories than the Whitecaps -- a key point considering MLS clubs play an imbalanced schedule weighted towards conference rivals.
"There's been a couple games where it's not been the level we want," said Rennie. "But, generally, our road play has been very good. That's something we want to continue -- just being very professional and disciplined. Picking up wins and picking up points on the road is something that's always a hard task, but it's something that's very rewarding, and it helps the team grow."
There will be no shortage of growth opportunities on the current five-game road swing, which is the longest of the season and occurs over only two weeks. Chivas, 5-7-4 overall, is not much of a threat at home, going 2-6-1 at Home Depot Center compared to 3-1-3 away.
Saturday's contest marks the start of the second half of Vancouver's season. But with the playoffs still three months away, Rennie is not worried about his club struggling to find motivation.
The Whitecaps coach sets small goals for his club, such as total wins during a particular stretch of games or phase of the season, but does not make them public in order to avoid putting "pressure from an outside influence" on players.
"The guys are very motivated," said Rennie.
Notes: This is the second of three meetings this season between Vancouver and Chivas. ... Whitecaps striker Darren Mattocks will miss the game due to a one-game suspension for his fifth yellow card of the campaign. Chivas MF Oswaldo Minda is also suspended. ... Vancouver midfielder Jun Marques Davidson will return to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension Wednesday for his fifth caution. ... Vancouver strikers Atiba Harris (knee) and Omar Salgado (foot) and midfielder John Thorrington (thigh) remain sidelined with injuries. ... Chivas will play without midfielder Marvin Iraheta (knee), while forwards Tristen Bowen (ankle) and Miller Bolanos (hamstring) are doubtful.
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