Pre Match: Whitecaps vs Timbers

Kick Off: 1:30 (allegedly)

TV: TSN1

Radio: TSN1040

The Whitecaps go into their decision day fixture knowing that no matter what happens they will finish in 8th place in the Western Conference. They could win 10-0 or they could lose 10-0 and their league position will not change. Their opponents, the Portland Timbers, have an outside chance at getting a first round bye and a pretty good chance of hosting a first round game if they win but are in the playoffs regardless. Thus we have two teams for whom the result of this game does not really matter, on paper at least. There is of course the bragging rights of winning a Cascadia derby but neither side can win the Cascadia cup. So when looking for reasons to watch this game we are left with hollow bragging rights and the possibility that players who haven’t gotten a chance yet like Roberto Dominguez, Simon Colyn, and Sean Melvin will show us what they can do at this level. Whitecaps legend Marvin Emnes is injured and thus will not be making an appearance. It will also be Alphonso Davies’ final game in a Whitecaps shirt and there are plans to honour him by standing and cheering in the 67th minute.

Portland will most likely set up in their usual 4-2-3-1. The Whitecaps will likely counter with a 4-1-4-1. I imagine Portland will field a relatively strong squad as the technically still have something to play for. I imagine the Whitecaps will rotate in some players. I think Dominguez is most likely to get a look as he’s essentially on an extended try out and it will be tough to judge him if we don’t actually see him play. I think Simon Colyn probably comes on as a sub and there is an outside chance Sean Melvin will get a start. The result won’t make much of a difference so for me the biggest appeal of this game is hoping some of the young Whitecaps can put a few goals past Portland and give us all a warm tingly feeling inside.

Injuries:

Portland:

• OUT: D - Roy Miller (right thigh injury)
• OUT: GK - Jake Gleeson (bilateral tibal stress fracture)
• QUESTIONABLE: GK - Jeff Attinella (shoulder injury)
• QUESTIONABLE: D - Alvas Powell (head injury)
• QUESTIONABLE: GK - Kendall McIntosh (head injury)

VANCOUVER:

• OUT: F - Marvin Emnes (left adductor strain)
• OUT: M - Efrain Juarez (right calf strain)

Project Lineups:

Vancouver: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Portland: Clark; Valentin, Mabiala, RIdgewell, Villafaña; Guzman, Chara; Polo, Valeri, Blanco; Ebobisse