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 will probably be with out prime scorer Ryan Gauld together with Ali Ahmed, Sam Adekugbe, Andres Cubas, Fafa Picault and Pedro Vite as they intention to interrupt into the highest seven of the Western Convention and keep away from enjoying within the first spherical of the playoffs.
Nonetheless, 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 extremely necessary to win,” Sartini mentioned. “Sadly, we didn’t do nicely within the final couple of video games so now this recreation has change into one the place we are able to get again into the highest seven and keep away from the primary spherical of the playoffs.
“It’s necessary to get again to the place we have now been for the final 30 plus video games. We have to reset and good. I feel it’s additionally a superb suppose, I would sound loopy, that we have now the worldwide break.
“We have now loads of gamers that might want to step up and must be there, so they arrive maybe slightly more energizing and with out the dangerous reminiscences 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 closing 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 will probably be with out three first-team gamers for the journey to Vancouver.
“All in all, we’re joyful,” head coach Steve Cherundolo mentioned after their final victory. “They have been necessary factors for us. An excellent efficiency.”
“For us to maintain getting these outcomes is large,” mentioned defender Aaron Lengthy.
“To go so far as we did in Leagues Cup and to go all the way in which to the top within the Open Cup, and nonetheless be combating for first place within the league is actually 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 obligation with Scotland, White will carry Vancouver’s aim risk 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 3 times.
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, nonetheless, has gained simply one in every of his three video games towards Vancouver (D1 L1), and he will probably be hoping to get his document into constructive numbers this time round.
MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN
The hosts are presently on 58 factors with two matches left to play this time period. They’re attempting to succeed in the 60-point mark for the third time within the final six seasons (2019, 2022) whereas no different MLS group has performed 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%
