Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

September 20, 2017 Twitter

@HarJournalist

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VANCOUVER, B.C. - The Whitecaps FC home-stand will conclude on Saturday night with the MLS bottom feeder, Colorado Rapids (7-16-5) in town. The soaring (13-9-6) Caps will hope not to step on a banana skin against an underwhelming Rapids side that has disappointed this season. Vancouver are unbeaten in six-matches, and there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to earn a massive result against Colorado. Noticeably absent from Saturday's fixture will be Whitecaps FC skipper, Kendall Waston. The Costa Rican international will sit out due to yellow-card accumulation. The top candidates to pair-up in central defence next to Tim Parker are, Aaron Maund, and Andrew Jacobson. Who exactly will get the good news before kickoff? "One of them will, unless you want to play," said a cheeky Carl Robinson. "They will, they're ready, they've trained hard. They're doing extra work. A.J.'s played two games, he hasn't played in the last three games, but he's training hard, so we know he's available. Maundy, when he stepped in against Orlando was great. They'll both get their opportunity between now and the end of the year, because we've got games on other international dates. It'll be down to them. When they get the chance, they've got to take it." Aaron Maund came over from Real Salt Lake on August 9, just before the MLS secondary transfer window shut. He has 80 MLS appearances, with 2 goals, and 1 assist to his name. He made his lone Vancouver appearance on Saturday August 26 at Orlando. For Maund, it's been a different perspective with his new club, but one he is quite enjoying. Can't wait to get up to Vancouver and get to work. 🇨🇦🇨🇦 Thank you for the warm welcome! — Aaron Maund (@Imamaundsta) August 10, 2017

"I like how hard we train," Maund said. "I like the intensity that we bring everyday. It's not like that all around the league. When you find a spot like this, it's good to take advantage of it. I like the guys, and the locker room. I think we have a strong locker room from top to bottom." It can take any new player some time to get down the tactics, drills, and strategy of a new team. Maund has felt welcomed in by his new teammates, and his eager to learn, and adapt to the style of play that has Vancouver sitting atop the MLS western conference. "It's never easy coming in and figuring it out," admitted Maund. "The coaches are good at keeping me up to speed. I'm watching these games, dissecting them, watching them back, and figuring it out, quickly on the fly." Maund, who turned twenty-seven on Tuesday, is looking forward to playing in front of home supporters at B.C. Place. He's played twice as a member of Real Salt Lake away to Vancouver, but never as a player the home fans can cheer, and support. "It's going to be good to get my home debut in front of those fans," revealed Maund "They're very passionate, and I want to do well for them." If he is selected by Carl Robinson, Maund will be hoping to step in and not miss a beat. Vancouver's been playing sound defence, and limiting opposition opportunities. With the western conference playoff positioning as close as it is, it's imperative that Vancouver keep on rolling, and picking up results, especially vs Colorado. "Points are extremely valuable right now," Maund admitted. "The last stretch here, we want to try and get every point that we can, especially at home. There's a high precedent of getting those home points, and we want to be the team to do that." While he is adjusting to life on the pitch, Maund, the avid New England Patriots, and Boston Celtics fan has a close friend on the team. Maund, and Caps right-back, Sheanon Williams grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts in south Boston. They've known each other since they were wicked awesome youngsters. "We played together growing up," said a cheerful Maund. "We met each other when we were eight. We've been friends ever since. He went to one of our rival high schools, so I didn't go to school with the (Bill) Belichick kids. I went to Roxbury Latin School, and he went to The Rivers School." Whitecaps FC fans will be hoping Maund can help Vancouver ship up to the top of the table during the stretch drive towards the playoffs.



