Whitecaps FC vs. Orlando City SC Match Day Report: Going for two straight

Vancouver Whitecaps FC will be gunning for their second straight win on Saturday when they visit expansion side Orlando City SC in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.

Match Day: Saturday, March 21

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. PT

Venue: Orlando Citrus Bowl

TV: TSN 1
Radio: TSN 1410

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“It’s a new team in front of a great crowd that we’re excited to play in front of,” Whitecaps FC defender Steven Beitashour said this week. “They market the team very well so we want to see what all the hype is about. We want to go over there and steal three points.”

Last week

The ‘Caps are coming off their first win of 2015 with a 1-0 road victory over Chicago Fire.

First-year Young Designated Player Octavio Rivero provided the scoring for Whitecaps FC with his second goal in as many games. The 23-year-old Uruguayan is the first Whitecaps FC player to score in his first two MLS matches.

The win didn’t come without a cost, however, as Mauro Rosales left the match with a sprained right ankle. Robinson confirmed this week that Rosales would not be available against Orlando, adding that he likely wouldn’t be back in the “near future.”

Nicolas Mezquida, who impressed as a substitute last weekend, is pushing for a start in Rosales’ absence, but Robinson told reporters that Erik Hurtado, Darren Mattocks, and Kianz Froese also may come into the equation.

Orlando City SC

After playing to a 1-1 draw with fellow expansion side New York City FC in their season opener, Orlando claimed their first-ever MLS win last weekend on the road at Houston Dynamo. An own goal from Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric was the difference between the two teams.

The Orlando player to watch is Brazilian midfielder Kaká, a former AC Milan and Real Madrid star who is regarded as one of the best players of his generation.After playing to a 1-1 draw with fellow expansion side New York City FC in their season opener, Orlando claimed their first-ever MLS win last weekend on the road at Houston Dynamo. An own goal from Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric was the difference between the two teams.

Fittingly, Kaká scored Orlando’s first-ever MLS goal – and to date, their only one – on opening weekend with a stoppage-time free kick.

“Listen, he’s a fantastic player,” Robinson said of Kaká. “Fantastic ability from dead balls. If we give him a chance, he’s obviously going to thrive with that. We have to make sure we don’t give away unnecessary fouls in those areas.”

The big question mark for Orlando heading into Saturday’s contest is: who starts up top? Colombian Carlos Rivas started the first two matches but is questionable with a hamstring strain. There are also concerns over the health of strikers Martin Paterson and Designated Player Bryan Rochez.

Other options include Brazilian Pedro Riberio, who replaced an injured Rivas last weekend, and Canadian Cyle Larin.

Head-to-head

This will be the first-ever match between Whitecaps FC and Orlando City SC, and it’s their only meeting this season.

Did you know?

It’s going to be a warm one on Saturday in Orlando. According to the current forecast, it will be around 28 degrees Celsius at kickoff time.