Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

January 8, 2015 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - The 2015 MLS schedule was released on Wednesday afternoon with great anticipation and excitement. The Whitecaps will begin the season at home on Saturday, March 7 against bitter rival and the circus that is Toronto FC. Vancouver will then play a pair of road matches in Chicago on Saturday, March 14 and also against new expansion club Orlando City SC on Saturday, March 21. Carl Robinson shared his thoughts on the Vancouver Whitecaps 2015 MLS fixture list.



"I think there's a lot of stuff to look forward to. Obviously the opening game against Toronto is a fantastic occasion as always, so that will be exciting for us. I think it's plain to see that we have a tough month in June. The way I'll probably look at it is, as you guys and ladies already know we don't win too many games in the summer months so that's probably not going to matter to us. We finish off with seven home games out of ten which is important. We're good at home and it's important that we maintain that."



With the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup taking place from June 6 to July 5, the Whitecaps will be out of BC Place and on an intriguing 5-match road trip which includes the following away matches. Wednesday, June 3 at Montreal, Saturday June 6 at Los Angeles, Saturday June 20 at New York Red Bulls, Saturday June 27 at New England, and finally Saturday, July 4 at Colorado. Carl Robinson is already looking to prepare and make sure his squad is well rested a fully focused for a mid-season mega road trip.



"Every manager has the same thing to do. We've got a good group of players and I'll rotate my squad. Last year I was a little bit naive in certain games and I've got to learn that resting guys at certain times is important with the ACC (Amway Canadian Championship) games and the CONCACAF games they'll be even more games. It's important that me and my staff do our homework on that and try to make sure they're at their maximum levels. We'll just deal with it, I'm not going to sit here and complain."



While supporters were hoping for a BC Place visit from newly expected MLS players like Steven Gerrard, Kaka, Frank Lampard, and David Villa. Only the latter two will visit Vancouver when new expansion club New York City FC take on the Caps on Saturday, September 26. The LA Galaxy make their only visit on Saturday, April 4. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard won't play in that match because he won't join his new MLS club until July. Robinson spoke highly of the Merseyside man and also took in a Liverpool vs Swansea City match over the Christmas holidays.



"He’s one of the top 10 players in the world, so I think it shows where Major League Soccer is going. I think it makes a statement. Obviously Frank Lampard coming in as well is a fantastic coup for the league and Steven is the icing on the cake, really. He’s a top top player. I was fortunate enough to watch him when I was back in England against Swansea even though he was subbed and he’s a fantastic player."



Vancouver will play 3 fixtures against Cascadian rivals Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders. The Whitecaps will play in Portland on Saturday May 2, and Saturday July 18, while the Timbers visit Vancouver on Saturday, March 28. Seattle's pair of visits to BC Place will occur on Saturday, May 16 and Saturday, September 19. Vancouver will only visit Century-Link Field once this season and that's on Saturday, August 1st in what surely will be a cracker of a match.



Fan favourite, Andy O'Brien might not be back in a Whitecaps kit for the upcoming 2015 season as he has not been re-signed and is currently without a contract. Future earnings and a pay decrease are at the root of negotiations. The former Premier League centre-back has been a big influence on the Whitecaps younger players with his experience and leadership qualities. Without naming him directly the Welsh manager provided somewhat of an update.



"Yeah, I know who you're talking about. We're talking at the moment with a number of players and it's very important that we make the right decisions in the right areas over the next period. We need to be right with our decision-making and at the first point we have been with most of the players we've made. It's important that we decide which way to go and we will and as soon as I know I'll let you know."



Whitecaps striker Darren Mattocks is currently on trial with English Championship club AFC Bournemouth. The Jamaican international will not be transferred or loaned out to AFC Bournemouth following the conclusion of his trial which ends on January 11. AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, and Robinson go way back and that's how Darren's taste of England trial came about.



"I know the manager there, Eddie Howe. He's a former teammate of mine and he's just gone for a training stint so it's just a bit of communication that we've had with them. It's a bit of an experience for him to go and see what it's like there. They're doing very well at the moment, they've got a good club philosophy, they play the right way, they're the top of the Championship. It'll be a nice experience for him, but he'll be back in preseason."



Whitecaps players will report back to Vancouver on Saturday, January 24 for physicals, fitness testing and the start of training camp. It is expected that new Uruguayan striker Octavio Rivero will be formally introduced to the Vancouver media at that time.



Notes: Vancouver will not host an international fixture in 2015.