Vancouver Whitecaps vs. DC United: Preview and How to Watch

Vancouver Whitecaps FC welcome struggling DC United to BC Place on Saturday evening.

The Vancouver Whitecaps are finally starting to pick up some steam. After a slow start to the season, when last year’s doom and gloom didn’t seem to have dissipated, the ‘Caps have found a formation that works and put together some wins, including last weekend against Sporting KC. They now find themselves only three points out of second place in the Western Conference, and 2-1 up halfway through their Canadian Championship semifinal.

Coming into town are DC United, a team that’s probably glad to get away from home. DC United have just played three home matches in a row. They lost three times, and were shut out three times. In last place in the Eastern Conference, DC are just desperate for some points.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Current Record (W-L-D): 5-5-1 (6th in the Western Conference)

Last Time Out: 2-1 win at home to Montreal Impact (Canadian Championship); 2-0 win at home to Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

Player to Watch For: Cristian Techera. The “Bug” has been one of Vancouver’s best players this season, and scored a fantastic goal last week. DC’s left back will have to work hard to try to contain him.

Why They Win: Kendall Waston and Tim Parker have developed into a formidable defensive partnership, and should be able to contain DC’s weak offence. Couple that with midfielders who have learned how to pass to each other, and add a Fredy Montero with something to prove after last week’s saved penalty. That makes a recipe for a Whitecaps win.

Why They Won’t: Matías Laba has been a mainstay in the midfield this season. With Laba suspended due to card accumulation, the newfound midfield coherence may well fall apart, leaving the defence exposed and the forwards with no service.

Predicted Starting XI: After mixing things up in midweek, Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson will likely want to return to the 4-1-4-1 and the players who brought him three wins in five starts. However, with Matías Laba suspended, the big question is what changes Robinson will have to make to replace Laba at DM. Russell Teibert is the obvious replacement, but if Robinson wants to keep Teibert fresh for the return leg against Montreal, then some reorganizing of the midfield may be in order.

DC United

Current Record (W-L-D): 3-6-2 (11th in the Eastern Conference)

Last Time Out: 1-0 loss at home to Chicago Fire

Player to Watch For: Bill Hamid. With the current state of their offence, DC United will have to depend on their defence to frustrate Vancouver, and that starts with Hamid, frequently talked about as a future USMNT regular.

Why They Win: Away from the frustrating environs of RFK Stadium, where they’ve just lost three in a row, things finally start to click for DC United. The Whitecaps defence is left exposed by Laba’s absence, and DC are able to snatch a couple of goals on the break.

Why They Won’t: You don’t win games if you don’t score goals. And DC’s goalscoring has been atrocious lately. Nine goals in 11 games, and none in their last three, tells its own story of woe.

Predicted Starting XI: 

Score Prediction:

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How to Watch:

Where: BC Place, Vancouver, BC

When: Saturday, May 27th, 4 pm PT (7 pm ET)

Channel: MLS LIVE, TSN1/3/4/5 (Canada Only)