Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps | 2018 Canadian Championship Preview

Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC Canadian Championship Final - Second Leg BMO Field — Toronto August 15 - 7:30 pm ET WATCH: TSN, TSN GO Toronto FC are in the driver's seat to win a third consecutive Canadian Championship, lift the Voyageurs Cup for a seventh overall time and return to the Concacaf Champions League when they host Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the second leg of the final Wednesday at BMO Field. The teams played to a 2-2 draw in the opening leg at BC Place last week with Jonathan Osorio canceling out Kei Kamara’s 24th minute penalty kick and an own goal by Doneil Henry spoiling another late Erik Hurtado goal. With the two away goals in their pocket, the Reds appear poised to beat the Caps in the final for the fourth time since 2011. If Vancouver can rally at BMO Field, it would mean a second championship in their history. Vanney: Altidore red card "unnecessary" Bradley: Whistle should've blown before Jozy red Instant Analysis: NYCFC get 3 big points in Canada Check out the 2018 Cascadia Cup standings Late CanChamp final "kick in the teeth" for 'Caps Toronto FC Jozy Altidore was shown red for an early rush of blood to the head and Toronto FC conceded late in a 3-2 loss to New York City FC at BMO Field Sunday afternoon. Altidore was sent off in the 11th minute for kicking the calf of defender Alex Callens. An in-form Sebastian Giovinco leveled in the 27th minute with his fourth goal in as many games. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi capitalized on defensive blunders to put the visitors up in the 36th minute. Victor Vazquez bravely headed in his side’s second equalizer before Tajouri-Shradi lashed home the winner two minutes from full time. “It’s a concern for me generally when guys are getting caught up in things that don’t matter because we don’t have time for things that don’t matter,” TFC head coach Greg Vanney said. “We have to get points, we have to get results and that’s about discipline. It was Chris [Mavinga] after the game last week. These things are just so irrelevant in our mission to try and get ourselves back into the playoffs. It’s across the board for everybody. It’s just unnecessary and all it does is undo our ability to take steps forward.” Suspended: None Suspended after next caution: None International duty: None Injury Report: OUT: D - Auro (hamstring strain) Projected Starting XI (4-1-2-1-2 right to left) GK: Clint Irwin — Gregory van der Wiel, Eriq Zavaleta, Chris Mavinga, Ashtone Morgan — Michael Bradley — Marky Delgado, Jonathan Osorio — Victor Vazquez — Tosaint Ricketts, Jozy Altidore Vancouver Whitecaps FC       The Whitecaps will head to BMO Field a confident group after snapping the Portland Timbers’ 15-match unbeaten streak Saturday night, winning 2-1 at Providence Park. Kamara opened the scoring in the 14th minute and Cristian Techera doubled the advantage with a diving header two minutes from halftime. Diego Valeri scored from the penalty spot in the 71st minute, but the Timbers couldn’t find the equalizer in large part due to the heroics of Stefan Marinovic, who made seven saves to preserve a massive Cascadia victory for the Caps. “Whether we can do it or not on Wednesday, we will see,” Carl Robinson said. “But it won’t be for the lack of heart and effort.” Suspended: M - Felipe Suspended after next caution: None International duty: None Injury Report: OUT: M - Jordon Mutch (right foot injury), D - Jose Aja (left quad injury) Projected Starting XI (4-4-2, right to left) GK: Stefan Marinovic — Jake Nerwinski, Kendall Waston, Doneil Henry, Marcel de Jong — Alphonso Davies, Aly Ghazal, Russell Teibert, Cristian Techera — Kei Kamara, Yordy Reyna All-Time in Canadian Championship Overall: Toronto FC 19 wins, 53 goals  … Vancouver Whitecaps FC 15 wins, 48 goals Last overall meeting: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Toronto FC 2 (August 8, 2018) Last meeting in Toronto: Toronto FC 1, Vancouver Whitecaps 0 (June 21, 2016)

By Dylan Butler