Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. D.C. United: Preview, time, and how to watch
It’s a late night for D.C. United as they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in the final stretch of the season.
The Black-and-Red have gone without a win in their past four matches, amping up the pressure as time to clinch a playoff spot evaporates. Most recently, a home loss to rival New York Red Bulls contributed to bumping D.C. below the playoff line despite Christian Benteke’s hat trick in the first half.
Every match is (and has been) a must-win for the Black-and-Red as they work to maintain focus and nab points. The Whitecaps are sitting in 6th in the Western Conference and will be coming into tonight’s match with the same must-win mentality, making D.C.’s job that much more difficult.
Will the Black-and-Red snap their winless streak and move up the Eastern Conference standings? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Key Player: Christian Benteke
Benteke is back in a big way for the Black-and-Red. Coming out of a midseason dip to return to form in a stellar way, the striker has been one of the most creative playmakers for D.C. in recent weeks.
Watch Out For: Brian White
White is up to 17 goals in all competitions, with 13 MLS goals so far this season. Alex Bono and D.C. United’s defense will need to keep a watchful eye on White if they hope to make it out of BC Place with a clean sheet.
Challenges: D.C. United is under incredible pressure to perform after a winless streak. The end of the regular MLS season is closing in fast, and points are more precious than ever as the Black-and-Red hope to clinch a playoff spot.
Previously: D.C. United hasn’t faced Vancouver since Wayne Rooney was a player at the club in August of 2019. Yordy Reyna scored the single goal to give the ‘Caps all three points at BC Place.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Availability:
Out: Thomas Hasal (patellar tendinopathy – season-ending injury)
Questionable: Ryan Gauld (left foot contusion), Luis Martins (left calf strain)
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Martin Rodriguez (knee), Mohanad Jeahze (ankle), Tyler Miller (shoulder – season-ending)
Suspended: Russell Canouse (yellow card accumulation)
Location: BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, BC
Kickoff time: 10:30 pm ET
Referee: Drew Fischer
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Jackson Hopkins getting the start. I think most of us feel this was due three games ago.
As someone who thinks his best position is on the right crossing into Benteke, I’m going to laugh like a maniac if this ends up being awesome and we wasted so many games
That sucks…gave up a goal in the first 2 mins…
Was just going to make a comment about how I hate playing Laryea, and his play causes that to happen.
1-0 Vancouver not even two minutes past
**Vancouver not Montreal who lost 3-0 to Orlando
Thanks, yeah
BENTEKE!!!! We punish Vancouver goalie mistake.
That was both a goalie oops and a MASSIVE heads down play by that defender to keep everyone onside
Could be wrong, but it looks like Hopkins is playing RB and Ruan is the winger currently
I don’t like that Santos got the start tonight given Vancouver’s speed up top.
Baffling, really. Don’t know if he’s any better as a sub, honestly
The service he’s provided all season shows me the vulnerability isn’t worth it. At least to me.
Service, and a motor that goes in reverse, practically
This isn’t the most frustrating performance I’ve ever seen, which unfortunately fills me with unease
In essence, United has seemingly managed to up the ante on frustrating as these “must win” games have dragged on, and I don’t know how they’ll top themselves tonight
Well Santos almost finds KDP wide open on the back post…a little too far in front.
Who in Vancouver is periodically screaming like Freddy is coming for them?
I thought that was just me..
It doesn’t seem particularly connected to any specific trigger, either
Santos has never done a free kick right, and we keep giving the fucker chances
Also corner kicks. He delivered a spectacularly bad one near the end of the game.
I have nothing to say about this anti-penalty
So, similar thing happened to Matt Turner this morning, and it wasn’t given as a penalty. It should have been
Klich scores from distance off a deflection, and our hopes for a playoff spot are aliveeee in the zombie movie sense
Really want Davis to come in for Santos
(To the tune of “if i were a boy”)
If Pirani could SHOoOot…
Lucho Acosta sucked at shooting in his early years with DC. If we can get Pirani to be better at shooting, he’ll really be something. If only we had someone who was really good at shooting as our coach or something.
Let’s just say, would be a good time for those powers to awaken…
If United wanted to get a Ryan Gauld with their third DP slot, I’d be pretty okay with that.
Well, fuck it. That’s season.
They said that if Christian Benteke could get 15 goals, that might lead United to the playoffs.
He’s got 14.
Shades of DeRo winning MVP only for us to still far short of the playoffs.
Unfortunately we seemed incapable this season of avoiding dumb plays that cost us goals and points. I think there’s a lot of promising pieces to build on, if only we could get the right staff up and down the organization in place.
Naaahhh. DeRo was spectacular that year. If Benteke had played at DeRo levels this year, we’d be way up the table. He’s had so many miscues.
That was a pretty good result for DC United with a draw in Vancouver. Unfortunately,….the rest of the season.