Caps set sights on Champions League milestone
Vancouver looking for a couple of firsts in Kansas City
The huge supporters-section banner at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City reads WELCOME TO THE BLUE HELL.
The Whitecaps have experienced their share there. Vancouver is 0-41 in K.C., including two defeats this season.
But Tuesday sets up a good opportunity to change that pattern and accomplish two firsts in one night.
A first win in K.C. would also lift the Caps into the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals for the first time.
“It’s an intimidating place,” said Caps left-back Marcel de Jong, who played 13 games for K.C. in 2015 and signed with Vancouver in July.
“They want to win every home game and the coach (Peter Vermes) always said in the first 15-20 minutes to get after (the opponent) and try to score. They want to come out strong and we have to match that.
“It’s a tough place to play but we’re confident.”
De Jong didn’t play Saturday in Columbus, where the Caps beat the Crew 3-1 for their first win in nine MLS games. He was coming off a taxing performance for Canada against El Salvador at B.C. Place.
But de Jong will start Tuesday, Caps coach Carl Robinson confirmed on a Monday conference call.
The Caps are expected to field a strong lineup, while K.C. has shown their priorities lie firmly with their MLS ambitions.
K.C. can afford that stance more than the Caps, who will need a terrific run in their final five MLS games to reach the playoffs. If Vancouver falls short, they are at least in a position to reach the CCL quarter-finals, which take place in March.
Robinson’s 23-man roster, released Monday, includes Kendall Waston, Matias Laba and Pedro Morales, although not goalkeeper David Ousted.
“It’s a very important game for us,” Robinson said. “We didn’t qualify (for the CCL quarter-finals) last year because we didn’t take care of business at home. But we have this year, and we got the away win (at Central FC in Trinidad & Tobago) and get an opportunity Tuesday night to win and qualify. We’re going there to win the game.”
The Caps lead Group C at 2-0-0, while K.C. and Central are stuck on one point, having tied in their headto-head meeting.
Even if the Caps lose Tuesday, they’ll be in a good position to advance in their final game, at home to Central on Sept. 28. But Robinson doesn’t want it to come to that.
For one, the Caps could use as few distractions as possible down the stretch. They’d also love some momentum heading into what feels like a do-or-die MLS game at Seattle this weekend.
And perhaps a CCL game at Children’s Mercy Park is just what the Caps need to get their first victory there. Dealing with the raucous atmosphere is usually half the battle, and crowds for CCL games tend to be smaller and more subdued.
“They’ve managed to make it a fortress and it’s credit to them,” said Robinson, who has compared the pre-game atmosphere in K.C. to a rock concert and a night club, the way they whip the fans into a frenzy.
“It’s an unbelievable atmosphere. Their fans are there 30 minutes before kickoff slaughtering the (visiting) goalkeeper. It’s a fantastic setup.”
De Jong, 29, has seen the Blue Hell from both sides, and he could be a difference-maker Tuesday.
“His last two games for us were his best two performances (as a Whitecap),” Robinson said, “and then Canada was another level.
“He’s getting fitter. His quality into the box is excellent and hopefully we’ll see more of that.”
Robinson didn’t reveal much more of the lineup, although he did confirm Saturday’s match-winner, Andrew Jacobson, would start in midfield.
Three Whitecaps FC 2 players have joined the team on short-term callups.
“It’s important that we go through to the next round,” de Jong said.
“We have to play every game now like it’s a final.”