WHITECAPS VS. RAPIDS | THREE THEMES

Home is where the winning is

The Vancouver Whitecaps enter this afternoon’s match against the Colorado Rapids with a 4- 1- 2 record at BC Place Stadium. The Rapids, by stark contrast, are 2- 5 on the road this season. “Obviously being at home, I think in any league, it’s more likely that you’re going to win when you’re at home,” said Whitecaps head coach Martin Rennie, who also credited the fans with having contributed to the club’s success at the newandimproved BC Place.

Colorado playing comeback kids

The Colorado Rapids have allowed the first goal of the match in their last three regularseason games, but have gone 1- 1- 1 over that stretch. They went down 1- 0 early in the first half to the Montreal Impact on May 26, but pulled off a 3- 2 win over the expansion MLS club. They also trailed Sporting KC by two goals in the first 14 minutes, but roared back with goals eight minutes apart in the second half to force a 2- 2 draw on May 19.

Not keeping an eye on the standings

The Whitecaps players and coaches insist they’re aware of, but not intently focused on the MLS Western Conference standings going into today. But, it’s possible that the West could have a different look through the middle of the order by weekend’s end. The Whitecaps sit fourth in the conference, just three points up on the Rapids, and two points back of the Seattle Sounders FC, which is also in action today against Montreal. With a Vancouver win and a Seattle loss, the Whitecaps would move into third in the West.