Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini believes the worldwide break will profit his facet forward of welcoming Los Angeles FC to BC Place this weekend.
The hosts shall be with out prime scorer Ryan Gauld together with Ali Ahmed, Sam Adekugbe, Andres Cubas, Fafa Picault and Pedro Vite as they purpose to interrupt into the highest seven of the Western Convention and keep away from taking part in within the first spherical of the playoffs.
Nevertheless, Sartini believes that this presents a chance for his fringe gamers to step up towards one of many higher sides within the division, having seen his facet fall to back-to-back defeats since clinching their place within the post-season.
“It is vitally vital to win,” Sartini stated. “Sadly, we didn’t do effectively within the final couple of video games so now this sport has turn into one the place we will get again into the highest seven and keep away from the primary spherical of the playoffs.
“It’s vital to get again to the place we’ve got been for the final 30 plus video games. We have to reset and good. I feel it’s additionally an excellent suppose, I’d sound loopy, that we’ve got the worldwide break.
“We’ve got numerous gamers that might want to step up and have to be there, so they arrive maybe a bit of brisker and with out the unhealthy recollections of the final couple of video games.”
LAFC, in the meantime, come into the encounter on the again of 4 consecutive wins in all competitions, together with their US Open Cup last triumph.
The Black and Gold know a victory will seal second place within the Western Convention standings after securing a 3-0 away win over Sporting Kansas Metropolis, although they too shall be with out three first-team gamers for the journey to Vancouver.
“All in all, we’re pleased,” head coach Steve Cherundolo stated after their final victory. “They had been vital factors for us. A very good efficiency.”
“For us to maintain getting these outcomes is big,” stated defender Aaron Lengthy.
“To go so far as we did in Leagues Cup and to go all the best way to the top within the Open Cup, and nonetheless be preventing for first place within the league is absolutely robust to do.”
A visit to Vancouver #LAFC | @Ticketmaster
— LAFC (@LAFC) October 10, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White
Within the absence of prime scorer Gauld, who’s on worldwide responsibility with Scotland, White will carry Vancouver’s aim menace for the go to of LAFC.
The American has performed extra video games towards this weekend’s opponents than some other group he has confronted within the MLS (13), profitable 4 of these (D3 L6), whereas scoring thrice.
LAFC – Mateusz Bogusz
Bogusz has 20 aim involvements (14 targets, six assists) in 30 MLS appearances this time period, netting a aim towards Vancouver in LAFC’s 3-0 win earlier this season.
The Pole, nevertheless, has received simply considered one of his three video games towards Vancouver (D1 L1), and he shall be hoping to get his file into optimistic numbers this time round.
MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN
The hosts are at present on 58 factors with two matches left to play this time period. They’re making an attempt to achieve the 60-point mark for the third time within the final six seasons (2019, 2022) whereas no different MLS group has achieved so greater than as soon as in that point.
Vancouver have misplaced solely two of their final 9 regular-season conferences with LAFC (W4 D3), although a kind of defeats was a 3-0 loss towards the Black and Gold earlier this marketing campaign.
The Whitecaps come into the sport on the again of consecutive defeats for the primary time since June. They haven’t misplaced three straight matches in all competitions for the reason that begin of the 2023 season.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver Whitecaps – 29.6%
Draw – 24.8%
LAFC – 45.6%
