Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
April 27, 2018; BC Place
8:30 p.m. MT; KMYU, KSL.com, KSL app
RSL (3-3-1, 10 points); VAN (3-4-1, 10 points)
Player to Watch – Alphonso Davies came into the league in 2016 as a 15-year-old winger known for his tenacity on the field. Now 17, he is coming into his own as a regular starter with Vancouver. He notched a goal and an assist in a season-opening win over Montreal, but has just one assist since. He made his international debut with Canada in 2017 and has three goals in six appearances for his country, showing that he is capable of a breakout season in 2018.
Matchup to Watch – Anthony Blondell vs. Justen Glad. It’s Venezuela vs. the US as two young and promising players square off in Vancouver. Blondell led the Venezuelan league in scoring in 2017 while Glad has been a fixture on RSL’s backline. With Kei Kamara out of the picture with injuries, the ‘Caps turn to Blondell to pick up the scoring slack.
All-Time Record – After a 2-1 win at home earlier this month RSL is 7-8-4 against Vancouver since Whitecaps FC joined MLS in 2011. Both teams have controlled home field, though, with Vancouver going 7-1-1 at BC Place and Empire Field against RSL.
Last 5 Head-to-Head – Real Salt Lake is 3-2-0 in the last five matches against Vancouver with both teams winning all of their home matches during that stretch.
Last 5 Overall – Vancouver is 1-3-1 in the last five matches this season, including its current three-game losing streak that started with RSL’s 2-1 win on April 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Whitecaps FC has been outscored 10-1 during that losing skid.
