The Vancouver Whitecaps are approaching their upcoming match against the San Jose Earthquakes with caution, as they know it will not be an easy game.
Despite the Earthquakes currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the Whitecaps are not taking them lightly. Head coach Marc Dos Santos emphasized the importance of not underestimating their opponents, stating, “It’s not about the standings, it’s about the game.”
The Whitecaps have had a mixed season so far, with a record of 5 wins, 7 losses, and 8 draws. They are currently in 9th place in the Western Conference, just one spot above the Earthquakes. However, Dos Santos believes that the standings do not accurately reflect the quality of the Earthquakes’ team.
“They have a lot of good players, a lot of experienced players,” Dos Santos said. “They have a lot of quality in their team, so we have to be very careful.”
The Whitecaps have also struggled with injuries this season, with several key players out of the lineup. Dos Santos acknowledged that this has been a challenge for the team, but they are focused on finding solutions and adapting to the situation.
“We have to find ways to win games, even with the injuries that we have,” Dos Santos said. “We have to find ways to be competitive and to be a team that is difficult to play against.”
The Whitecaps will also have to adjust to playing on the road, as the match against the Earthquakes will be their first away game in over a month. Dos Santos emphasized the importance of staying mentally strong and focused, especially in a tough environment like San Jose’s Avaya Stadium.
“It’s not an easy game, it’s not an easy place to play,” Dos Santos said. “We have to be very focused, very concentrated, and very disciplined.”
Despite the challenges, the Whitecaps are determined to come out with a win and continue their push for a playoff spot. They know that every game is crucial at this point in the season, and they are not taking any opponent lightly.
“We have to be ready for a tough game,” Dos Santos said. “We have to be ready to compete and to fight for every inch on the field.”
The match between the Whitecaps and the Earthquakes will take place on Saturday, August 21st at 7:00 PM PT. Fans can tune in to TSN to watch the action unfold.
