In Need Of A Win

It’s fitting that for the Whitecaps (11-8-14) to make the playoffs they are in need of a win and ironic that its at home as they face the Colorado Rapids who have a record of 8-17-8 for 32 points good for 7th place in the Western Conference.

For the Whitecaps to win they either need a win or have Portland lose a game against FC Dallas, and should this unfold they will be in the post-season for a second time in the MLS history.

They currently are on a  four game undefeated streak, albeit following a scoreless draw in San Jose, while Colorado’s winless streak advanced to 13 games in a recent 1-0 loss to FC Dallas.

The all-time meeting between the clubs through 10 games has the Whitecaps with 3 wins, 12 goals, while Colorado has 6 wins, 15 goals and 1 tie.

In the 5 games played in Vancouver the Whitecaps are 2 wins with 8 goals, while Colorado has 2 wins with 6 goals and 1 tie.

The Whitecaps extended their shutout streak to 303 minutes which is their longest in the history of the club and while its been a struggle, it’s still a stat they can be proud of.

In the back-end “tender” David Ousted has recorded his 12th shutout of the season and ends as the league leader in addition to playing every minute of every game this season.

Prior to the game the team had a special tribute to retiring Jay DeMerit who official hung up his cleats a short three months back and is still an iatrical part of the club’s success.

DeMerit was Vancouver’s first signing and Captain in Major League Soccer and was honoured prior to the Whitecaps FC’s regular season finale at BC Place.

He told whitecapfc.com “I’m really excited to kind of wrap it all up and have a time to thank the people that have always been there,”

That includes his Friends and Family and interesting that the former US Men’s National Team star had over 100 people at the game and his niece and nephew will walk out the tunnel with him.

His role off the field is just as important off the pitch is just as important as it was when he was on the pitch playing and he is extremely proud of his time with his Family – the Vancouver Whitecaps!

His role with the Whitecaps is that of club ambassador and this involves a lot of speaking, whether it’s to young kids or even Police Officers – as was the case recently at the Surrey Police Awards earlier in October.

DeMerit, “Saturdays are very much still work days.”

Prior to the opening kick-off and after the presentation to Jay DeMerit there was a moment of silence in respect shown for the two fallen members of the Canadian Armed Forces, to which the crowd was very respectful.

An entertaining season of Whitecaps FC Soccer and if this season is any indication of what’s to come, enjoy the ride!!