Vancouver Whitecaps FC opens up a five-game road trip beginning tonight in Montreal.
After a mediocre four-game home stand which saw the Caps win once, draw twice and lose the other, the club hits all points of the continent over the next month.
With all of the planes, buses, travel, training and matches, the lengthy trip could definitely take its toll on many of the players. But men’s head coach Teitur Thordarsson told the TEAM 1040’s Full Time Soccer that his side is going in well prepared for the cross-continent journey, as getting rest during the down times of the trip will be key.
“It is a tough road trip… we had a tough road trip earlier in the summer and it was very successful, so we are definitely doing some things right on the road. We have a big focus on hydration, nutrition and a lot of sleep. It’s needed when you’re travelling as we are, we travel over time zones, we travel into the heat, and we play tough games with just a few days in between… I think we have been very successful with that combination.”
Vancouver meets Montreal this evening, before heading off to Carolina this Saturday and then to St. Louis on August 6. After a nice eight-day break, they face two more squads before returning home – Minnesota on Saturday, August 14th, closing things out with an August 19th date in Tampa Bay.
The Caps wrap up their season with four of their final six matches at Swangard Stadium.
Photo: Pepe