2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 10
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC
BC Place – Vancouver
September 5 – 8:00 PM ET
TV: TSN1
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US
After suffering their first regular season loss in 13 months, Toronto FC are hoping to start a new unbeaten streak against a Vancouver Whitecaps side looking to stay alive in the race for the Canadian Concacaf Champions League berth and snap an All-Canadian three-game losing streak when the teams get reacquainted at BC Place Saturday night.
Toronto FC beat the Caps in back-to-back meetings at BMO Field in Phase 1 of the restart of the 2020 regular season, outscoring Vancouver 4-0 over the course of 180 minutes.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
It's been a rough return to play for the Whitecaps with consecutive defeats at Toronto FC followed by a 2-0 defeat to the Montreal Impact. The 'Caps have been shut out in all three games, which means the club's big-money No. 9 — Lucas Cavallini — has been held off the scoresheet. That extends his goalless streak to five games after he opted out of the MLS is Back Tournament. Although the goals haven't come, Cavallini's confidence hasn't wavered.
“Yeah, it gets frustrating," Cavallini told reporters on a virtual press conference on Tuesday. "The kind of passionate player I am— this is a lifestyle, I live for this, I live to score goals. It’s frustrating for me, but you can’t really feel frustrated. You have to be calm and stay positive."
"Once I start scoring," Cavallini added. "I know I won’t stop."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Janio Bikel(M) - left adductor strain
- OUT: Maxime Crépeau (GK) - fractured left thumb
- OUT: Jasser Khmir (D) - undisclosed injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Toronto FC
Toronto FC's run at the MLS record for consecutive unbeaten regular season matches fell one short of tying the record. But more worrying than the 1-0 home defeat to rival Montreal was that captain Michael Bradley suffered a Grade 2 MCL strain on a yellow card challenge by Emanuel Maciel deep into second-half stoppage time. .
“Timeline-wise, it’s weeks, it's not months,” Vanney said. “We’ll see just how he progresses, I guess. He’ll be out for a little while, we’ll see.”
Who fills the void? It could be Homegrown midfielder Liam Fraser, a native of Vancouver, who has impressed Vanney.
“He’s done well in the minutes that he’s gotten in for us through this stretch,” Vanney said. “He’s definitely in consideration especially as we just tally up where everybody is at as we go into this game. He’s done well so I suspect he’s a part of the mix and part of the guys who can take up some of that space Michael usually covers.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Achara (M) - ACL injury
- OUT: Patrick Mullins (F) - hamstring tightness
- OUT: Michael Bradley (M) - Grade 2 MCL strain
- QUESTIONABLE: Richie Laryea (D) - ankle sprain
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Whitecaps
- Whitecaps: 2 wins, 7 goals
- Toronto FC: 2 wins, 8 goals
- 1 draw
Officials
- Referee: Silviu Petrescu
- Assistant Referees: Chris Wattam, Marie-Han Chretien Gagnon
- 4th Official: Alain Ruch
- VAR: David Gantar
