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Vancouver Whitecaps (9-8-4) versus New England Revolution (7-10-5)
MLS Regular Season
Kickoff: 8:00 pm ET/ 5:00 pm PT
TV: TSN2
Radio: TSN 1410
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Officials:
REF: Ismail Elafath
AR1: Kermit Quisenberry
AR2: Nick Uranga
4TH: Jonathan Seiner
VAR: Jonathon Freemon
After a busy deadline day, Vancouver fans will be looking for fireworks on the pitch Saturday as the Whitecaps travel to the East Coast to take on the New England Revolution.
A productive road trip comes to a close with a seemingly favorable matchup against one of the worst teams in the league. But the Caps have reason to avoid complacency, as all seven of New England’s victories this season have come at home in Gillette Stadium.
And Vancouver will be forced to contend with a man who nearly became a Whitecap: Kei Kamara. The Sierra Leonean forward has been in fine form, netting four goals in three matches and leads a surprisingly potent New England attack. But Fredy Montero, who has been in good form himself, will be licking his chops at a soft Revolution backline which has given up 38 goals already this year.
As with any east coast trip, squad decisions are tricky and Carl Robinson appears to have left Christian Bolanos in Vancouver ahead of the match (if we are to believe Bola’s Instagram story). This means Yordy Reyna, Brek Shea and Bernie Ibini could be in line for another start. Other veterans, including Jordan Harvey, have been rumored not to have made the trip as well, meaning we could see some different faces (Marcel de Jong anyone?) on the pitch. Alphonso Davies also seems due for a start after his Gold Cup success.
The Revolution are not known as one of MLS’ big spenders but they did splash some cash to bring former Sporting KC forward Krisztian Nemeth back from Qatar and while it is unclear whether Nemeth will start, he will join Kamara, Teal Bunbury and Juan Agudelo as a potentially dangerous strike force for the Revs. Vancouver will get a strong antidote to this offensive attack with the return of Kendall Waston, as whatever immigration issues the Big Man needed to get cleared up appear to be sorted for the time being. His physical presence will be a needed boost to a Caps side that missed the Costa Rican international dearly last week.