The both Canadian rivals will go head-to-head in their first MLS regular season meeting of 2017 on Saturday afternoon, when the Whitecaps play host to cross conference rival Toronto Fc at the BC Place. The game will be a tough-test for both club sides, each of whom are searching for their first win of the season.
Vancouver Whitecaps enter the gaming coming-off a solid 3-2 defeat against San Jose Earthquakes last weekend and a tough 2-0 loss against Tigres UANL in their first leg of their CCL last four series on Tuesday, while Toronto FC heads-to Vancouver following their 2-2 draw with Philadelphia Union last weekend.
Vancouver Whitecaps.
Saturday's game will be the-third in eight-days for Vancouver Whitecaps, who will be looking for their first Major League Soccer win this season after beginning the season 0-1-1. The Whitecaps had a tough tests last week, racing-out to a 2-0 early lead before losing goalie David Ousted to a red card booking in the 23rd minute and later falling 3-2 to San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday before dropping a tough 2-0 loss against Liga MX side Tigres UANL in the CONCACAF Champions League action on Tuesday.
The Whitecaps don't actually have the necessity of taking-it-easy this Saturday. While Toronto FC are apparently a sturdy opponent, and Vancouver Whitecaps wouldn't want to begin the season with just one-point via three games after their disappointing 2016 season.
Toronto FC
Toronto will hit-the-road once more this Saturday, playing their third away game this season. Toronto FC picked-up a satisfactory result in their first two-away matches, settling for a 0-0 goalless draw with Real Salt Lake in their season-opener before a 2-2 draw against Philadelphia Union last weekend. Toronto FC would be electrified to pick-up a win before returning home for their fourth game of the MLS regular season on March 31.
Amassing all three-points against a solid Canadian rival won't be easy, especially with star forward Sebastian Gionvinco who's ruled-out due to a foot-contusion sustained against Philadelphia Union.