The Vancouver Whitecaps look to continue their impressive recent run of play when they host Toronto FC on Saturday in a meeting of two of the league’s three Canadian clubs.
Vancouver (3-1-1, 10 points) has won three of its past four matches, most recently a 3-2 result at home over Portland last Saturday that was its first victory on its own pitch this season. Ryan Raposo scored the go-ahead goal in the 87th minute off an assist from Fafa Picault after Picault and Ryan Gauld scored earlier in the contest.
After being acquired as a free agent in January, it’s taken Picault some time to find his place in Vancouver’s system, Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini said.
“I think that he finally understands, so credit to him and kudos to him,” Sartini said about Picault. “It’s not always easy for a 33-year-old — he’s always played a certain way. When he started doing (our system) properly, you can see what he can give us.”
Sartini made his return to the sidelines after missing the first four games of the regular-season due to suspension.
Toronto (3-2-1, 10 points) heads west after a 3-1 home loss to Sporting Kansas City last Saturday, the Reds’ second loss in their past three games. Toronto’s only goal came when Jonathan Osorio scored in second-half stoppage time after the Reds conceded three times after halftime. Osorio returned from an injury and found the net to allow the hosts to avoid a shutout.
“The first five games we were a tight team, playing for results and really grinding out a win,” Toronto coach John Herdman said. “Against Kansas City we had to find a balance of that. We did give up a lot of chances, but we played some of the best football this year so far. We had a lot of chances.”
Toronto will need to continue to lean on backup Luka Gavran with starting goalkeeper Sean Johnson still on the injured list. Lorenzo Insigne is still out of commission with a hamstring injury.
The teams are even at nine wins apiece in the all-time series, with five draws. The Whitecaps have won two of the past three meetings, including a 2-1 victory last season in Toronto.
–Field Level Media
