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Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Preview: 'Caps Seek Payback, Cascadia Glory In Sunday's Finale

October 22, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Thirty three down, one to go.Vancouver Whitecaps FC host rival Portland Timbers on Sunday afternoon in their 2016 regular season finale at BC Place. Limited tickets are still available: http://ow.ly/UR60305pDOv.

KICKOFF: 1 p.m. PT | TV: TSN1 | RADIO: TSN 1040

Here's everything you need to know about the match.

STORYLINES

Cascadia Cup clincher: Sunday's match will determine the winner of this year's Cascadia Cup, a supporters-driven trophy awarded to the team with the best record against their Pacific Northwest rivals. The 'Caps need to win by at least three goals to reclaim the Cup - any other result would see the Timbers lift the trophy for the first time since 2012.

Portland's playoff hopes: The Timbers currently sit seventh in the Western Conference, just outside the playoff picture. They can guarantee their playoff berth with a win, though, which means Whitecaps FC have the opportunity to play the role of spoilers.

Payback time: If the 'Caps need any extra motivation, they need not forget that Portland ended their season in last year's Western Conference Semifinal. "It still hurts," Robinson said when asked about the Timbers following last weekend's draw with San Jose, while Jordan Harvey called it "one of the toughest losses" of his career. Can Robinson's side return the favour on Sunday?

KEY MATCHUPS

Kendall Waston (CB) vs. Fanendo Adi (FWD): This is always a fun matchup to watch. The 6-foot-5 Waston and 6-foot-4 Adi both love a good battle. Adi, who leads the Timbers with 16 goals, actually had a goal and an assist in last year's playoff win over Vancouver, so he's certainly a player the 'Caps will need to keep in check.

Matias Laba (M) vs. Darlington Nagbe (M): The Timbers will be without centre back Liam Ridgewell, midfielder Diego Chara, and possibly even a few others on Sunday. That makes Nagbe even more important than he usually is, which is saying something. Last year, Laba called him one of the toughest players to defend in the league.

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