TUKWILA, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 open a home-and-home series on Friday night at Starfire Stadium with WFC2 looking to close in on a playoff berth, and S2 looking to keep its playoff hopes alive. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.

Matchcenter: http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/13218353

Seattle Sounders FC 2 news and notes

• Current record: 8-11-6, 30pts
• S2 took a 2-1 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 in its last outing on Monday night, keeping its hopes of a second consecutive trip to the playoffs alive.
• Jordan Schweitzer’s goal with two minutes to go lifted Seattle to victory as it moved four points back of the eighth and final playoff position.
• Seattle will be without forward Myron Samuel, who is on international duty for St. Vincent & the Grenadines for its final two games of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying.
• S2 Academy signing Jake Morris was named this week to the U.S. U19 National Team squad that is competing in Serbia at the Stevan-Vilotic Tournament.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC news and notes

• Current record: 11-6-8, 41pts
• Vancouver played to a 0-0 draw last Saturday night on the road against Sacramento Republic FC, remaining three points back of the Western Conference leaders.
• Spencer Richey recorded a pair of saves to earn the shutout, as he improved his goals-against average to 1.25 in 12 appearances this season.
• WFC2 could clinch a place in the 2016 USL Playoffs over the course of the home-and-home series, but needs Real Monarchs SLC to fail to take victory against Tulsa on Saturday to have that chance.
• WFC2 will be without defender Kadin Chung for the series, with the standout currently on international duty with the Canada U20 National Team in Costa Rica.

2016 Team leaders

• Goals: Seattle – Darwin Jones, 5; Vancouver – Kyle Greig, 10
• Assists: Seattle – Myron Samuel, 4; Vancouver – Daniel Haber, 4

Series Notes

• Seattle currently holds a 1-0-1 edge in the season series thanks to a 3-2 victory at Starfire Stadium on June 9.

Officials

• REF: Baboucarr Jallow
• AR1: Joshua Haimes
• AR2: John Krill
• 4TH: Paul Sheran

Game hashtag:

• #SEAvVAN

Twitter social handles

• Seattle Sounders FC 2 – @SoundersFC2
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 – @WFC2