Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini needs his staff to place out a press release once they host Houston Dynamo in MLS on Saturday.
The Whitecaps are flying excessive this season after a five-match unbeaten streak in MLS has seen them transfer as much as fourth within the Western Convention, simply eight factors off high spot with two video games in hand.
Whereas many didn’t count on to see Vancouver sitting so excessive within the desk, Sartini is eager to show why there shouldn’t be any doubts about his staff’s capabilities.
“If we do a terrific job, and we win, I feel it’s an enormous assertion to inform everybody we’re a top-four staff, and we aren’t there unintentionally however as a result of we deserve it,” Sartini mentioned.
“I feel that ought to be one of many issues to ignite us for an excellent efficiency as a result of one of many criticisms of us is we’re an excellent staff, however we botch the vital video games.
“I don’t agree, however it’s an opportunity to indicate individuals it’s not true.”
Houston have misplaced simply one among their final 9 matches, bouncing again from two and not using a win to beat struggling San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 on Wednesday.
They sit eighth within the tightly packed desk, however head coach Ben Osborn has challenged them to stand up the rankings by extending their current spectacular run.
“We’ve obtained to be egocentric. Be grasping,” Olsen mentioned.
“Attempt to get extra [points]. It’s a fast turnaround, however we’ve fortuitously obtained the depth, and we’ve obtained guys champing on the bit to get entangled proper now.”
Headed as much as Canada for a matchup in opposition to the Whitecaps
: https://t.co/IKuV0roZg6#Hustlin4More pic.twitter.com/CoZrXd7ckn
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) July 19, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver Whitecaps – Fafa Picault
Fafa Picault, who scored Vancouver’s winner in opposition to Sporting Kansas Metropolis on Wednesday, has scored 4 occasions in six profession matches in opposition to the Dynamo, for whom he performed in 2021-22.
Picault solely has extra profession regular-season objectives in opposition to Orlando Metropolis (5).
Houston Dynamo – Amine Bassi
Amine Bassi recorded his team-leading eighth help of the season, organising Daniel Steres for the lone aim in Houston’s win on Wednesday.
Within the 9 matches that Bassi has recorded a aim contribution this season, Houston’s document is six wins, two attracts and one loss, in comparison with three wins, 5 attracts and 6 defeats when he doesn’t.
MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN
The Whitecaps have by no means misplaced a house match in opposition to the Dynamo (successful 9 and drawing two, excluding neutral-site house video games). The Whitecaps have scored in all 11 of their matches in opposition to the Dynamo in Vancouver.
Vancouver have additionally received three straight house matches after successful simply two of their earlier 11 at BC Place in all competitions (5 attracts, 4 defeats). The Whitecaps final received 4 in a row at house in September-October 2021.
As for Houston, they earned their fifth street win of the season on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory at San Jose Earthquakes. It’s the first time Houston have received 5 street matches in a single common season since 2013 (additionally 5), whereas they haven’t received extra since 2007 (seven).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver Whitecaps – 45.9%
Draw – 26.7%
Houston Dynamo – 27.4%
