There’s a lot on the docket for American followers this weekend however nothing is greater than having a U.S. participant in El Classico. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down all the large video games he shall be watching and tells you every little thing that you must know for the upcoming weekend.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
October 22, 2020
10:05 PM
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WEEKENDS ARE VERY busy as of late in American soccer as a whole bunch {of professional} gamers play in dozens of leagues throughout the globe. This weekend isn’t any exception as Sergino Dest may play in one of many world’s nice video games within the El Classico whereas the playoff races in MLS warmth up with some large matchups akin to Philadelphia – Toronto that would characteristic high younger American gamers.
There are quite a lot of actually cool tales to keep watch over other than the El Classico. High teenager Owen Otasowie may make his Premier League debut for Wolves this weekend. Cameron Carter-Vickers would possibly make his membership debut for AFC Bournemouth. Ethan Horvath may enhance his resume for a future sale as he ought to earn one other begin.
With all of that stated, right here is a top level view of every little thing I shall be following within the days forward.
Function video games from overseas
Barcelona – Actual Madrid
La Liga
Saturday, October 24: 10:00am EST
There are quite a lot of benchmarks getting used as of late to measure the latest success of Individuals overseas: most Individuals within the Champions League, first American at Juventus, and so forth. However on Saturday, Sergino Dest may change into the primary U.S. worldwide to play at El Clasico, maybe essentially the most prestigious rivalry in world sport.
To this point, Sergino has performed in all three of Barcelona’s video games since he joined from Ajax. He has additionally began the final two video games for the reason that October worldwide window. Most just lately, Dest began in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Ferencváros. However internet hosting Actual Madrid shall be a wholly totally different stage of depth for Dest.
This would be the most-watched recreation on the planet this weekend and each groups are comparatively evenly matched as Barcelona has seven factors from 4 video games and Actual Madrid has 10 factors from 5 video games. Actual Madrid, nevertheless, is coming into this recreation on the heals of a being upset Shakhtar Donetsk within the Champions League.
However Barcelona comes into this recreation in a transitional interval. Messi is doubtless in his final season with the membership. There’s an growing older core and a youthful group of gamers trying to emerge. Dest is a part of that group trying to deliver a profitable transition for Barcelona and a win over Actual Madrid can be a large step.
Manchester United – Chelsea
The Premier League
Saturday, October 24: 12:30pm EST
Chelsea has actually has annoyed its followers firstly of this season as placing forth a whole effort on either side of the ball with any sorts of consistency has been elusive. Final weekend, its offense was sturdy however its protection was laughable in a 3-3 draw with Southampton. Then midweek, its protection was strong however its offense was a multitude throughout a 0-0 draw with Sevilla within the Champions League.
In a go to up north to tackle Manchester United, it’s exhausting to confidently predict how Chelsea will carry out. After lacking months with a hamstring harm, Chelsea was cautious in the way it eased Christian Pulisic again into motion. However will Frank Lampard begin the Hershey native for the third time in every week? That’s robust to learn though Pulisic will doubtless play on this one in some unspecified time in the future.
To this point in his return, Pulisic has performed properly – albeit a little bit rusty. That rust will put on off however his teammates want to lift their video games a unit to win video games like it can face on Saturday.
Fulham – Crystal Palace
The Premier League
Saturday, October 24: 12:30pm EST
Final weekend Fulham took its first level of the season when it performed Sheffield United to a 1-1 draw. Mixed with the 0-1 loss to Wolves within the recreation earlier than, Fulham has really improved barely after its brutal 4 losses to begin 2020/21. However in some unspecified time in the future, that enchancment must translate into wins or else it can discover itself in too deep a gap within the relegation zone.
Left again Antonee Robinson and central defender Tim Ream ought to begin for the Cottagers. Each have performed properly within the final two video games and Robinson has proven to be a fullback who can compete properly on this league. It appears doubtless he shall be given seems by the nationwide workforce quickly as properly.
The stress shall be on each American gamers to carry out properly as this is a vital recreation, even whether it is early in thee season. To win these video games, protection is important.
VfB Stuttgart – FC Koln
The Bundesliga
Friday, October 23: 2:30pm EST
Pellegrino Matarazzo is off to a terrific begin in his first season managing VfB Stuttgart within the high flight. After main his workforce to promotion final season, Matarazzo and Stuttgart are off to a begin the place they’ve seven factors from 4 video games. If the first objective for the membership is to keep away from a right away relegation, a win on Friday may see these across the membership set extra bold objectives.
This recreation needs to be winnable for Stuttgart as Koln has only one level from its first 4 video games.
Matarazzo has applied not only a successful model at Stuttgart but additionally a mode that’s enjoyable to look at. It presses, and it assaults successfully from the run of play. To this point it’s 9 objectives are the third highest within the Bundesliga.
Matarazzo is among the extra stunning and finest tales on a person stage for Individuals in Europe – steadily increasingly American followers are selecting up on it.
Austria Vienna – Pink Bull Salzburg
The Austrian Bundesliga
Saturday, October 24: 11:00am EST
American supervisor Jesse Marsch and his reigning champion Pink Bull Salzburg are off to high-flying begin within the Austrian Bundesliga. The membership is predicted to win the Bundesliga as soon as once more this season and up to now Marsch’s workforce has an ideal 12 factors from 4 video games and a +10 objective differential. On Friday, it was formally introduced that American midfielder Brenden Aaronson will be part of the membership in January from the Philadelphia Union.
Salzburg is an offensive energy on this league and with 17 objectives from 4 video games, it can look to surpass the 110 it scored in 2019/20.
However on this recreation, Austria Vienna will try to maintain Salzuburg off the scoresheet and Austria Vienna will characteristic United States U-23 central defender Erik Palmer-Brown as a key a part of its backline. Palmer-Brown, 23, has impressed up to now this season and might be a range for the U.S. workforce in November. However this shall be his greatest problem of the season.
Kortrijk – Anderlecht
Belgian Professional League
Friday, October 23: 2:45pm EST
Final Sunday, Chelsea loanee Matt Maizga made his Anderlecht debut when he performed the total recreation in a 2-2 draw with OH Leuven. Whereas the consequence was disappointing, Miazga performed properly in central protection.
Historically considered one of Belgium’s finest golf equipment, Anderlecht has struggled lately because it has not been capable of spend some huge cash as a result of monetary constraints. This yr it finds itself off to a different midtable begin with 14 factors from 9 video games. Anderlecht’s opponent on this recreation, additionally has 14 factors.
Miazga is trying to return to being among the finest American central defenders within the recreation. There’s quite a lot of competitors with a bunch of youthful American gamers at this place however being a reliable possibility at Anderlecht shall be an enormous enhance for Miazga.
RB Leipzig – Hertha BSC
The Bundesliga
Saturday, October 24: 9:30am EST
Tyler Adams has sometimes been a starter on the No. 6 position for RB Leipzig when heathy though he got here off the bench midweek to see out the ultimate half-hour midweek of a 2-0 win over Istanbul Basaksehir within the Champions League.
For many video games Adams has performed this yr, he has been energetic, generated a excessive variety of touches, pressed, pressured turnovers, and lined a ton of floor. When he performs properly, Leipzig sometimes wins and Adams performs an essential position.
Hertha comes into this recreation in poor kind with three straight losses after a gap match win. Leipzig is the favourite on this one and Adams maturation as a participant is spectacular.
Oud-Heverlee – Membership Brugge
Belgian Professional League
Saturday, October 24: 2:45pm EST
It was an emotional scene on Tuesday when Membership Brugge posted a 2-1 win over Zenit within the Champions League through a dramatic stoppage time winner. American goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, 25, earned his first look for Membership Brugge in practically 400 days after regular first selection starter Simon Mignolet examined constructive for COVID-19. On this recreation, regardless of a fluke own-goal, Horvath performed very properly and made 4 saves.
Horvath ought to begin on this one and any alternative he will get is a giant one to impress potential suitors for upcoming home windows that he might be a starter. The possibilities that he overtakes Mignolet anytime signal quickly are slim so Horvath must profit from any probabilities he will get. He handed a pleasant take a look at on Tuesday and Saturday might be one other essential step.
Borussia Dortmund – Schalke 04
The Bundesliga
Saturday, October 24: 12:30pm EST
As soon as, the Revierderby was among the finest in Germany as a result of each golf equipment have been among the many better of the Bundesliga. Nowadays, nevertheless, Schalke is in such poor kind that relegation is getting extra doubtless each week and that would make the Revierderby a uncommon event within the years forward.
For Borussia Dortmund, the workforce stays among the finest in Germany and Gio Reyna, 17, has been among the finest youngsters within the league. In reality, the Reyna and Erling Haaland mixture is on of essentially the most thrilling younger duos in Europe.
The American has been enjoying because the workforce’s attacking midfielder and has had a hand in most of Borussia Dortmund’s objectives this season. Midweek, he performed the second half and had an help in a 3-1 loss to Lazio within the Champions League.
On this recreation, Reyna ought to as soon as once more think about as Borussia Dortmund is closely favored however wants these three factors to stay within the high three of the Bundesliga desk.
SM Caen – Guingamp
Ligue 2
Saturday, October 24: 9:00am EST
Nicholas Gioacchini, 20, and his SM Caen workforce have promotional hopes this yr however have been dealt a troublesome 3-0 loss to Niort final weekend. The Gioacchini, the Kansas Metropolis-born attacker, didn’t rating however had a spotlight when his bicycle kick missed the web simply vast. Gioacchini, who can play both central ahead or on both wing, has two objectives on the season.
SM Caen will need to transfer again in direction of the highest of the desk on Saturday and can host a Guingamp workforce that’s in tenth place however has gained three of its final 4 video games.
Gioacchini is probably going amongst a number of younger American gamers who has a superb probability of incomes a call-up to america nationwide workforce for its November camp. That may be a milestone for Gioacchini who has by no means performed for america earlier than at any stage.
Wolfsburg – Arminia Bielefeld
The Bundesliga
Sunday, October 25: 10:30am EST
Wolfsburg has drawn every of its first 4 video games to begin the season and whereas its offense has been horrible having scored simply two objectives, its protection has been glorious having conceded simply two objectives in 360 Bundesliga minutes.
After he started 2020 using the bench for Wolfsburg, Brooks has been glorious firstly of this season and Gregg Berhalter is probably going wanting ahead to working with Brooks within the upcoming November window.
Newly promoted Arminia Bielefeld shall be Wolfsburg’s opponent on Sunday and the membership is coming off a 4-1 loss to Bayern Munich which adopted a 1-0 loss to Werder Bremen.
Werder Bremen – Hoffenheim
The Bundesliga
Sunday, October 25: 1:00pm EST
Quietly, Werder Bremen is laying the inspiration for an improved season that would see it keep away from a critical relegation battle – prefer it did final season. Whereas its schedule has been simple early within the season, Werder is getting the outcomes it must avoid hazard. Wins in opposition to Schalke and Arminia Bielefeld adopted by a draw to Freiburg all led to worthwhile factors for Werder.
Josh Sargent has performed properly for stretches and has been a daily starter for Werder, however the St. Louis native continues to be in search of his first objective of the season (his solely time on the scoresheet was an help within the 3-1 win over Schalke).
Hoffenheim is hungry for a win after two victories to begin the season have been adopted by losses to Eintracht Frankfrut and Borussia Dortmund.
Famalicao – Boavista
Primeira Liga
Sunday, October 25: 1:30pm EST
Cannon has proven promise at instances within the first few video games whereas additionally displaying instances the place it was clear he was nonetheless adjusting to a brand new league. His protection has been regular however entering into the assault has been tougher.
Sooner or later it must click on for each Cannon and Boavista. Cannon informed ASN two weeks in the past that the workforce’s chemistry wanted to enhance as many gamers have been nonetheless new to both the league or workforce. Within the first recreation after the worldwide break on Monday, Boavista misplaced to Vitoria Guimaraes 0-1 and was nonetheless not in synch.
Famalicao is a smaller workforce however has been enjoying higher with a win adopted by two attracts in its final three video games.
Notes for different video games
On Saturday, Chris Richards will hope to proceed to work his method again into the Bayern Munich lineup when the European Champions host Timothy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Richards has been coping with a calf harm however performed for Bayern Munich II midweek.
On Sunday in Serie A, Juventus will host Hellas Verona. It’s unlikely Weston McKennie will return from COVID in time for this.
On France’s Ligue 1, Timothy Weah will hope for extra minutes when league leaders Lille go to Good on Sunday. Weah has struggled for minutes early within the season as he missed most of final season as a result of a hamstring harm. Weah performed the ultimate 10 minutes for Lille in a 4-1 win over Sparta Prague.
Within the Premier League, U.S. U-20 eligible Owen Otasowie will hope to make his Premier League debut when his Wolverhampton workforce hosts Newcastle United. Otasowie was an unused substitute on Monday when Wolves fell to Leeds. DeAndre Yedlin is unlikely to play for Newcastle United.
On Friday, Duane Holmes will hope to return to the beginning lineup and reverse Derby County’s struggles in a go to to Nottingham Forest. Derby County has simply three factors from the primary six video games of the Championship season.
Within the Championship, Cameron Carter-Vickers will look to make his AFC Bournemouth in opposition to Watford on Saturday. Workforce captain Geoff Cameron and Queens Park Rangers will host Birmingham Metropolis additionally on Saturday. After making his Championship debut, Matthew Olosunde midweek for Rotherham, the New Jersey native will search for one other outing when his workforce visits Studying on Saturday.
In League One, U.S. U-20 attacking midfielder Indiana Vassilev and Burton Albion will hope to climb out of final place on Saturday after they go to AFC Wimbledon. Lynden Gooch has assists in every of his final two video games for Sunderland and so they hosts Portsmouth on Saturday.
Within the 2.Bundesliga: Alfredo Morales and Fortuna Dusseldorf go to Hannover on Saturday. Leon Flach and Kevin Lankford go to Darmstadt on Saturday. Julian Inexperienced and Greuther Furth go to Holstein Kiel on Saturday.
Within the Scottish Premiership, Ian Harkes and Dillon Powers go to St. Johnstone on Saturday.
Within the Danish Superliga, Jens Cajuste and Midtjylland go to Brondby on Saturday. Emmanuel Sabbi and OB go to Lyngby on Friday. Haji Wright has 4 objectives in simply 190 minutes within the Superliga for SonderjyskE and they’re going to go to Randers on Sunday. Within the second tier, Christian Cappis and Hobro go to Esbjerg on Saturday.
Within the Eredivisie, Ulysses Llanez and Heerenveen host Desevio Payne and FC Emmen on Saturday. Luca de la Torre and Heracles go to Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday. In the meantime, Richard Ledezma was an unused substitute for PSV on Thursday in a 2-1 loss to Grenada within the Europa League and he’ll hope to stay with the primary workforce on Sunday when PSV visits Vitesse. Within the Dutch second tier, Sebastian Soto and Telstar host Helmond Sport on Friday.
In Italy’s Serie B, Andrija Novakovich and Frosinone go to Pescara on Saturday.
In Belgium’s high flight, Chris Durkin and struggling St. Truiden host Commonplace Liege on Sunday. Joe Efford and Waasland Beveren go to Sporting Charleroi on Sunday.
In Sweden, Aron Johannsson is his finest kind since 2015 and he and Hammarby go to Oestersunds on Sunday. Additionally on Sunday, Romain Gall and Orebro hosts Combine Diskerud and Helsingborg. In Norway, Henry Wingo will hope to return from harm for Molde when it hosts Stromgodset on Sunday.
In Poland’s high tier, Ben Lederman and Rakow Czestochowa host Stal Mielec on Sunday. On Friday, Kenny Saief and Lechia Gdansk go to Zaglebie Lubin.
In Greece’s Superliga, Gboly Ariyibi and Panathinaikos host NFC Volos on Saturday.
In Spain’s second tier, Shaq Moore and Tenerife host Espanyol on Sunday.
In France’s Ligue 1, Patrick Koffi will hope to reemerge in Paris FC’s lineup after they go to Chateauroux on Saturday. Koffi, 18, hasn’t made a matchday sheet for Paris FC since a gap weekend crimson card.
In Brazil, Johnny Cardoso, 18, will hope to return to the matchday roster for Internacional on Saturday after they host Flamengo.
ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT
The upcoming weekend in MLS options an intriguing slate of video games because the playoffs get nearer. The truth that most of the groups didn’t have midweek video games, the break from the grueling schedule ought to enable groups to area their finest lineups for this weekend.
The most effective recreation of the weekend shall be on Saturday when Philadelphia hosts Toronto. However there shall be loads of good video games on the docket – notably on Saturday.
Featured video games
Philadelphia Union – Toronto FC
Saturday, October 24: 7:30pm EST
Maybe the 2 finest and most intriguing groups within the league this season will meet in Chester, PA when the Philadelphia Union hosts Toronto FC. After 19 video games, Toronto has a really spectacular file with 12 wins, 5 attracts, 2 losses which ought to have it as a critical contender within the put up season.
Even with out Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley for lengthy stretches, Toronto has discovered a method to win. Alejandro Pozuelo is probably going the league MVP as he has helped make Sebastian Giovinco a distant reminiscence at this level. U.S. U-23 eligible ahead Ayo Akinola has eight objectives for the reason that MLS is Again restart.
In the meantime, Philadelphia has been using its success with a really youthful core. Mark McKenzie is among the finest younger American gamers within the league and might be closing in on a U.S. nationwide workforce spot. Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson desires to deliver a trophy house to Philly earlier than he heads to Salzburg after the season. Anthony Fontana, in the meantime, has six objectives for the Union since August.
This shall be a rematch from two weeks in the past when Toronto defeated Philadelphia 2-1 in Hartford behind objectives from Akinola and Pozuelo. Each of those groups are coming off win as Toronto defeated Atlanta United 1-0 final weekend and Philadelphia defeated New England 2-1 on Monday.
Chicago Hearth – New York Pink Bulls
Saturday, October 24: 7:30pm EST
The Chicago Hearth would possibly make the most of an expanded playoff format in 2020 and sneak into the put up season. As of now, the chances are of their favor because the membership sits in tenth place within the East and have been a more durable workforce to defeat in latest weeks. Coming into into this recreation, the Hearth has misplaced simply as soon as in its final 5 video games.
The New York Pink Bulls is likely to be the hardest workforce to learn on this league. The workforce has been hit exhausting just lately by accidents to Aron Lengthy and the lack of Cristian Casseres and Kaku to worldwide responsibility. The workforce has remained very aggressive beneath interim supervisor Bradley Carnell in addition to the rise of teenage midfielder Caden Clark, 17, who has been very spectacular since been signed to the primary workforce two weeks in the past.
The Pink Bulls are most likely not as hopeless as their long-time pessimistic fanbase believes, however the workforce is woefully quick on strikers. If this workforce can rating, they’ve an excellent probability of successful.
Nashville SC – New England Revolution
October 23: 8:30pm EST
Whereas many slated Nashville SC to battle mightily in its inaugural season in MLS, that’s turning out to not be the case. Why? Nicely, this workforce’s deal with a really tight and well-organized defensive construction is proving to be very efficient. In future seasons, Nashville will certainly need to add attackers however in its first steps within the league, it’s being constructed from the again first.
To date, so good. After 18 video games, the workforce has scored 18 objectives and conceded simply 17 objectives. That is sufficient to have it in eighth place – which is a house run of a season primarily based on preseason predictions.
U.S. worldwide Walker Zimmerman needs to be within the operating for league defender of the yr and he has been an enormous addition for Nashville and an enormous loss for LAFC.
New England is sitting properly in fifth place regardless of a 2-1 loss to Philadelphia midweek. American followers ought to need to take a look at goalkeeper Matt Turner who has helped the Revolution in shut video games. In the meantime Henry Kessler needs to be within the operating for rookie of the yr and the central defender may emerge within the U.S. U-23 image, ought to that workforce resume play after the season.
Sporting Kansas Metropolis – Colorado Rapids
Saturday, October 24: 8:30pm EST
The Colorado Rapids will play their first recreation in a month as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak inside the workforce and employees. Because of this, the Rapids have performed six fewer video games than most groups within the league. That could be very unlucky for Colorado because the workforce had been enjoying very well as much as that time – having gained three of 4.
Colorado had been doing properly utilizing many younger home gamers akin to Cole Bassett, Jonathan Lewis, and Sam Vines. Lewis has 5 objectives whereas Bassett, a U.S. U-20 midfielder, has 4 objectives and 4 assists in 2020. Vines, in the meantime, is taking good steps as a left again at this stage.
The query on this one shall be how Colorado responds to such a layoff with no friendlies to get again into kind.
Sporting Kansas Metropolis shall be a troublesome take a look at for Colorado as Peter Vermes’ squad sits in third place however is coming off an unimpressive pair of ends in a draw to Chicago and a loss to FC Dallas in its previous two video games.
As Colorado has been using native homegrown gamers, Sporting Kansas Metropolis has been respectable in that space as Gianluca Busio, Jaylin Lindsey, Felipe Hernandez and Cam Duke have all performed large roles in latest weeks. On Thursday, the membership introduced the signing of promising ahead Wilson Harris, 20, to a homegrown deal.
Los Angeles FC – LA Galaxy
Sunday, October 25: 3:30pm EST
The 2 LA groups have been large tales in MLS this season, however neither in good methods.
LAFC has not been poor, general, nevertheless it has been disappointing when evaluating it to the earlier two seasons. Carlos Vela’s accidents has resulted in inconsistent offensive manufacturing. Diego Rossi, when wholesome, has been cold and hot. Bradley Wright-Phillips is efficient at instances however is clearly not as sturdy as he was once.
By all of the ups and downs, Bob Bradley’s workforce nonetheless sits in fourth place and stays a risk within the put up season.
The LA Galaxy, nevertheless, have remained a catastrophe this season and so they sit in useless final within the West. Chicarito has only one objective up to now in 2020. Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s squad gained its most up-to-date recreation in opposition to Vancouver by a 1-0 rating. Whereas it’s not often enjoyable to look at unhealthy groups, it’s robust to disregard the Galaxy. The membership has some high Mexican gamers and attention-grabbing American gamers in Sebastian Lletget and U.S. U-20 proper again Julian Araujo. Cristian Pavon can be probably the most proficient gamers in the whole league.
The very fact this workforce can’t put it collectively is quite outstanding.
Elsewhere within the league
On Saturday, Inter Miami hosts an improved Orlando Metropolis SC workforce that has emerged as a contender to win the East in 2020. Oscar Pareja is likely to be the league’s supervisor of the yr whereas Chris Mueller is likely to be a Greatest XI participant and Daryl Dike needs to be a U.S. U-23 possibility in 2023.
Atlanta United has been an enormous disappointment however would possibly sneak into the playoffs with a couple of wins down the stretch. Proper now, it sits one level out of the tenth spot. DC United holds the league’s worst file and it is a good matchup for Atlanta on Saturday. DC United, nevertheless, continues to be value watching because it performs a trio of promising younger gamers in Moses Neyman, Kevin Paredes, and Griffin Yow.
Cincinnati hosts an inconsistent Minnesota United workforce on Saturday. Minnesota has expertise however has solely gained as soon as in its final 5 video games.
New York Metropolis FC is holding onto the sixth spot within the East by a slim margin and can host Montreal on Saturday night time within the Bronx.
Columbus ended a four-game winless skid final weekend when it downed New York Metropolis FC. U.S. followers will need to take a look at the type of U.S. ahead Gyasi Zardes as properly Crew defensive midfielder Aidan Morris who might be a superb possibility for the U.S. U-20 workforce. Houston has struggled in latest weeks for the reason that sale of Alberth Elis however is just one level out of the playoffs. Sooner or later Tab Ramos’ workforce might want to discover a large win if it desires to get into the playoffs.
FC Dallas suffered an unpleasant 3-0 loss to Nashville on Tuesday and Luchi Gonzalez’s workforce is actually struggling to attain and generate probabilities. The workforce has only one win its final 5 video games. The workforce’s younger core in Tanner Tessmann, Jesus Ferreira, and Brandon Servania have hit a tough patch by way of making an impression. The one younger participant making constructive impacts in latest video games is Bryan Reynolds. A visit to Actual Salt Lake shall be robust as Actual Salt Lake upset Portland final weekend and is simply out of the playoff positions on objective differential.
San Jose has been one essentially the most improved groups the previous month and Matias Almeyda’s workforce has moved from second to final and into the playoffs after incomes constant outcomes over the previous month. U.S. worldwide Jackson Yueill has been a constructive contributor however so has fellow American Nick Lima and younger standout Cade Cowell – who has proven promise at simply 16. San Jose will face Vancouver on the highway on Saturday. The Whitecaps characteristic many Canadian gamers and will sneak into playoffs with a robust end.