It’s the 2022 home opener and the Whitecaps vs NYCFC match preview! The Vancouver Whitecaps will try and bounce back after a tough 4-0 loss on the road to the Columbus Crew. Vanni Sartini and company didn’t start the season off the way they would have wanted. 2 first-half goals and do to 10 men after Jake Nerwinski was shown his second yellow in the 52nd minute.
New York City FC has multiple things to focus on as they start the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals midweek against. Travel wasn’t one of the things they had to worry about as the team stayed in LA after the 1-0 defeat to the LA Galaxy.
The two sides haven’t met since 2019 with the Pandemic putting a halt on the cross-conference play. The New York side came out victorious in a 3-1 result but everything is different since then.
News, Notes And Lineups
Vancouver Whitecaps
The Whitecaps are almost at full strength, only missing Caio Alexandre to Visa Issues and Erik Godoy who is nursing an injury. Brian White is back available off the bench after missing the first match of the year with a foot injury. Vanni Sartini also switched back to a 3-4-1-2 formation. Florian Jungwirth, Ranko Veselinovic and Tristan Blackmon make up the back 3 in front of Thomas Hasal.
Cristian Gutierrez slots in for Javain Brown and Cristian Dajome will occupy the left wingback role. Leonard Owusu and Russell Teibert will play the lower holding midfield with Ryan Gauld up top. Lucas Cavallini and Deiber Caicedo start up top.
New York City FC
Ronny Deila would go with a 4-2-3-1 formation against the Whitecaps. Sean Johnson would take his normal place in net in front of Tayvon Gray, Maxime Chanot, Alexander Callens and Malte Amudsen from right to left. Keaton Parks and Alfredo Morales will play in the midfield behind Thaigo Andrade, Max Moralez and Talles Magno. the always dangerous Valetin Castellanos starts up top for NYCFC.
Sports Talk Line And The Vancouver Whitecaps
The Whitecaps will hope that a CONCACAF Champions League hangover stops them from getting the full charge from the defending MLS Cup Champions. Make sure to check out the post-game recap including, words from the coaches and players and The Unnamed Moments Of The Match.
Make sure to follow me on Twitter @JoshuaGriffith0 all throughout the match for the latest news and updates from BC Place. For even more Whitecaps coverage check out the 90 + Podcast as Ben Righetti and I was joined by Michael Anderer from Blue City Radio who covers NYCFC to preview Saturday’s match.
