Whitecaps Wednesday spent last week in Harrison Hot Springs, dodging village-wide gas leaks and a hearty collection of bed bugs (thanks Ramada Hotels). Luckily, the Caps just officially released what most have expected for a while now: a brand spankin’ new kit, so the previous one, now infested with little creepy crawlies, has found a new home in the firepit.
When we last checked in on the Whitecaps, they were mired in a long stretch of games away from Vancouver and, despite dropping their last game of the month, managed to acquit themselves well overall. July sees them in familiar territory, that is away from theirs, as they finally wrap up their road trip before heading home.
Read on for results!
Game #19: The Whitecaps’ sixth and final game of their road trip takes place in Denver as they return to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for a rematch against the Rapids on July 4. Come for the soccer, stay for the fireworks and steer clear of any Ramada hotels.
Historical Result Table:
| Date | Home | Away | Result |
| 09 – JUL – 2011 | Colorado Rapids | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2 – 1 |
| 22 – OCT – 2011 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Colorado Rapids | 1 – 2 |
| 16 – JUN – 2012 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Colorado Rapids | 1 – 0 |
| 04 – JUL – 2012 | Colorado Rapids | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 0 – 1 |
| 23 – SEP – 2012 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Colorado Rapids | 2 – 2 |
| 17 – AUG – 2013 | Colorado Rapids | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2 – 0 |
| 19 – OCT – 2013 | Colorado Rapids | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 3 – 2 |
| 27 – OCT – 2013 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Colorado Rapids | 3 – 0 |
| 05 – APR – 2014 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Colorado Rapids | 1 – 2 |
| 29 – JUN – 2014 | Colorado Rapids | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2 – 0 |
| 26 – OCT – 2014 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Colorado Rapids | 1 – 0 |
| 23 – MAY – 2015 | Colorado Rapids | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2 – 1* |
*Note: This result correlates with an earlier prediction made in “The March to March – Part 3”
The Rub: The C38 SG (the Rapids’ supporters group) should be riled up and ready to go on Uncle Sam Appreciation day, assuming they haven’t over-gorged on Wal-Mart smokies and cheap American beer in the parking lot prior to the game. Interestingly enough, these two teams have met before on July 4th, in 2012 when the Whitecaps maple syruped the Rapids by a 1 – 0 score. Buoyed by the prospect of playing at home for the first time in over a month, the boys in blue and white see history repeat itself as they scrap to another 1 – 0 victory in Colorado.
Game #20: Vancouver welcomes back the Whitecaps on July 12 when they take on the visiting Sporting Kansas City squad. It will be Kansas City’s first visit to BC Place as a western foe after their off-season migration from the Eastern Conference. Rumour has it the infestation at the Eastern Conference Ramada initiated the request to move westward.
Historical Result Table:
| Date | Home | Away | Result |
| 02 – APR – 2011 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Sporting Kansas City | 3 – 3 |
| 26 – JUN – 2011 | Sporting Kansas City | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2 – 1 |
| 19 – MAY – 2012 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Sporting Kansas City | 1 – 3 |
| 04 – JUL – 2013 | Sporting Kansas City | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 1 – 1 |
| 10 – AUG – 2014 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Sporting Kansas City | 2 – 0 |
The Rub: Sporting Kansas City came into 2014 looking to defend their 2013 MLS Cup championship, but struggled down the stretch last season and narrowly qualified for the playoffs. Their lineup features two USMNT players in Graham Zusi and Matt Besler and talented striker Dom Dwyer, the league’s second-leading goal scorer in 2014. The Whitecaps earned their first-ever victory over the Sporters last season on the strength of Darren Mattocks’ sixth (and final goal) of the season. This could be an example of a classic return-to-home letdown and despite the crowd’s best efforts, they may not be able to stoke the Caps to victory. Sporting KC eke out a 3-2 victory at BC Place.
Game #21: The Portland Timbers invite the Whitecaps to Providence Park on July 18. It’s the two rivals’ third and final match of the season and by this point, the pot is likely on the verge of boiling over if it hasn’t already. This may be the week to plan your Portland summertime vacation – I’ll see you there. Just don’t stay at the Ramada.
Historical Result Table:
| Date | Home | Away | Result |
| 20 – AUG – 2011 | Portland Timbers FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2 – 1 |
| 02 – OCT – 2011 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Portland Timbers FC | 0 – 1 |
| 26 – MAY – 2012 | Portland Timbers FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 1 – 1 |
| 25 – AUG – 2012 | Portland Timbers FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2 – 1 |
| 21 – OCT – 2012 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Portland Timbers FC | 0 – 1 |
| 18 – MAY – 2013 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Portland Timbers FC | 2 – 2 |
| 03 – AUG – 2013 | Portland Timbers FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 1 – 1 |
| 06 – OCT – 2013 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Portland Timbers FC | 2 – 2 |
| 02 – JUN – 2014 | Portland Timbers FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 3 – 4 |
| 31 – AUG – 2014 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Portland Timbers FC | 0 – 3 |
| 20 – SEP – 2014 | Portland Timbers FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 3 – 0 |
| 28 – MAR – 2015 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Portland Timbers FC | 1 – 3 * |
| 02 – APR – 2015 | Portland Timbers FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2 – 2** |
* This result correlates to an earlier prediction made in “The March to March”
** This result correlates to an earlier prediction made in “The March to March – Part 3”
The Rub: The Caps seem to have a bit of trouble, for whatever reason, dealing with the physical play of the Timbers. There are moments where they refuse to be intimidated and attack the Timbers with speed and an efficient counterattack – the recipe for the Caps’ success thus far. These 2015 matchups may be the biggest indicator we have of whether or not the Whitecaps are ready to take the next step in MLS and be a competitive squad game in and game out. Judging by my previous predictions, I’m not entirely sold on that idea coming to fruition and we’ll see them come up just short once again. 3-2 Timbers.
Game #22: The Whitecaps return to the Bell Pitch on July 26 when they take on the San Jose Earthquakes for the second time in 2015. It may not be a marquee matchup, but there will undoubtedly be a significant group of fans drawn to BC Place like bed bugs to a Ramada mattress.
Historical Result Table:
| Date | Home | Away | Result |
| 11 – MAY – 2011 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | San Jose Earthquakes | 1 – 1 |
| 20 – JUL – 2011 | San Jose Earthquakes | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2 – 2 |
| 07 – APR – 2012 | San Jose Earthquakes | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 3 – 1 |
| 05 – MAY – 2012 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | San Jose Earthquakes | 2 – 1 |
| 22 – JUL – 2012 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | San Jose Earthquakes | 2 – 1 |
| 06 – APR – 2013 | San Jose Earthquakes | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 1 – 1 |
| 10 – AUG – 2013 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | San Jose Earthquakes | 2 – 0 |
| 14 – SEP – 2013 | San Jose Earthquakes | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 0 – 0 |
| 03 – MAY – 2014 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | San Jose Earthquakes | 3 – 2 |
| 10 – SEP – 2014 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | San Jose Earthquakes | 2 – 0 |
| 18 – OCT – 2014 | San Jose Earthquakes | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 0 – 0 |
| 11 – APR – 2015 | San Jose Earthquakes | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 3 – 1 * |
*Note: This result correlates to an earlier prediction made in “The March to March – Part 2”
The Rub: The Earthquakes are hoping the return of manager Dominic Kinnear will usher in the return of playoff soccer after a disappointing 2014 season for the club. The team finished well down in the standings and struggled through a 15-game winless streak to end the campaign. The Quakes managed a victory over a fatigued Whitecaps squad in their first matchup of the 2015 season, but this time, away from home and facing an inspired and rested Whitecaps squad, we’ll see the Whitecaps earn their second win in July. San Jose will leave Vancouver with a 2-0 loss in their back pocket.
The End Result: The Whitecaps put off a triumphant return to BC Place by splitting their two home games in July. They repeat the feat on the road, accumulating a 2-2-0 (W-L-T) record overall for the month, which translates into a 10-8-4 overall mark at this point in the season. Next month presents a challenge for the Caps as they take on some steep competition and features a visit from the love-to-hate-them FC Dallas, who have recently been placed just slightly below Ramada Hotel bed bugs and just ahead of Drew Carey as the “filthiest entity you do not want between your sheets” in a recent poll. Check back next week for another round of prognostications as we journey on in our march to March.