The unbeaten Vancouver Whitecaps will look to continue their dream start when they host the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.
The Whitecaps are the seventh team in league history to begin a season with a 4-0-0 record. The four-game run also matches Vancouver’s longest winning streak over its 15 seasons in MLS.
The success has come as the Whitecaps have advanced to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament while not at full strength.
Ryan Gauld (sprained knee) and Sam Adekugbe (quad) are out with long-term injuries, though coach Jesper Sorensen said Emmanuel Sabbi might return from an ankle injury for Saturday’s match.
In typical even-keel coach fashion, Sorensen is keeping the Whitecaps’ achievements in perspective. Vancouver has 12 points, the top total in the league.
“If we have gained some confidence because of a good start, it’s a positive thing. … I would not warn the guys about getting too excited. I’m happy if they’re excited, but I will be realistic,” he said.
Beyond injuries, Vancouver will be without Pedro Vite, Brian White, Andres Cubas and Ali Ahmed on Saturday due to international call-ups. The Fire’s Brian Gutierrez, Omari Glasgow and Harold Osorio also are away with their national teams.
Chicago’s back line will be further hampered by injuries. Andrew Gutman is questionable to face Vancouver due to illness, and Jonathan Dean will miss the next several weeks after suffering a punctured lung in last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Toronto FC.
Playing with a short-handed roster against an unbeaten opponent will be a tall order, though the Fire (2-1-1, 7 points) are used to overcoming the odds. Chicago has trailed in all four of its matches but enter Saturday with a 2-0-1 record in its last three outings.
“It’s really ‘next man up’ mentality, and that’s what the team has been living by this season. … I think it shows the mindset of this group, not to get rattled,” coach Gregg Berhalter said.
Fire striker Hugo Cuypers ranks second in MLS in goals with four. Cuypers will be challenged by a Vancouver defense that hasn’t allowed a goal in its last 231 minutes of play.
–Field Level Media
