KANSAS CITY (NEWS 1130) – The Whitecaps can advance out of the group stage in the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time in franchise history. Vancouver is on the road in Kansas City to face Sporting KC.
The Caps are expected to field a very different roster from the one that secured a 3-1 win on the road over Columbus on the weekend. Coach Carl Robinson hinted that one or two players from that game could play this evening, but for the most part it will be fresh faces.
One of the people who could get a shot in the starting lineup this evening is Spencer Richey after the team called him up from Vancouver’s USL squad. The goalkeeper knows a win would give the Whitecaps a much needed boost of confidence.
“It would mean a lot for us to win tonight. We have been working hard all year and our MLS play may not be going as planned, but we have been putting in the work off the field and in the weight room. Champions League play is just another way to get some wins and get some results.”
Kyle Greig was also called up for the match. There will be a little extra incentive for the striker as he is from Kansas. The 26-year old says he can’t wait to play in front of his friends and family.
“It is always special to come back and play here and to be able to do that in a CONCACAF competition is an exciting opportunity. Hopefully I get that opportunity and I make the most of it.”
Kick-off is at 5 p.m. and you can stream the match on CONCACAF’s official Facebook page.
The Whitecaps defeated KC 3-0 at BC Place last month in their first CONCACAF match against their MLS foes.
If the Caps advance tonight, the quarterfinals would begin in February.