Match Preview: Vancouver travels to Toronto for Canadian Matchup

The Vancouver Whitecaps are in Toronto today to face their Canadian rivals Toronto FC. You can watch the 2pm start-time match, at BMO Field, on TSN 1/4 in Canada and on ESPN+ in the United States.

2018 MLS Regular Season - Week 32
BMO Field - Toronto
October 6 - 5 pm ET
WATCH: TSN 1/4, ESPN+

It has been a difficult season for both clubs. Coming off back-to-back MLS Cup appearances, and winning the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup last season, it is all but assured that Toronto FC will not be in the playoffs this year. However, it is not all doom and gloom for Toronto, as they made it to the final of the CONCACAF Champions League, where they were narrowly defeated by C.D. Guadalajara. They will have another opportunity to win that title next season, as they dispatched of Vancouver Whitecaps early this season in the Canadian Championship (Voyageurs Cup) to earn the Canadian berth in the Champions League.

The 2018 season has not worked out very well for the Whitecaps either. Back in February, Carl Robinson was touting this squad as the best he has had as a manager for the Whitecaps. Flash forward to September, and Robinson has been replaced by Craig Dalrymple for the final few matches of the season. Maybe it was those high expectations Robinson placed on his club that eventually led to his firing. Although, it is worth noting that heading into this season, many pundits had the Whitecaps finishing out of the playoffs. Maybe the results are not as unexpected.

Both clubs recent form demonstrates how up-and-down their respective seasons have been. The Whitecaps are losers of their previous three, after being undefeated in their previous six. On the other side, Toronto FC has been unable to get on any time of consistent role. They have only been able to string together two victories in a row once this season, with their longest undefeated streak being three matches. In their previous six results have been as follows: W, L, L, W, L, W.

Although Toronto and Vancouver only play once each season in MLS play, they often get another two matches in Voyageurs Cup. Interestingly, in MLS play, the away club has had the upper-hand. Last season, Toronto defeated Vancouver at BC Place, 2-0. In 2016, Vancouver came away from BMO Field with a 4-3 victory. In 2015, Toronto were again victorious in Vancouver 3-1.

Technically neither club is officially eliminated from the playoffs, but each is on life support. Even if the Whitecaps are not to make the playoffs, getting a bit of revenge against Toronto, and essentially ending any possibility of playoff soccer for the club would be a moral victory for the club. In addition, it would hand Dalrymple his first victory.

What are your expectations for the match? Can the Whitecaps pull of the victory? Who is in your Starting XI?