The Vancouver Whitecaps are preparing for a familiar playoff battle as they host perennial rivals Los Angeles FC in Saturday's Major League Soccer Western Conference semifinal. For the third consecutive year, these two teams meet in the postseason, with LAFC having eliminated Vancouver in both previous encounters.
Seeking Redemption Against Familiar Foes
Whitecaps captain Ryan Gauld acknowledges the bitter taste lingering from back-to-back playoff eliminations at the hands of their California rivals. Now, with a sold-out crowd of more than 53,000 expected at BC Place, Vancouver aims to write a different ending to this recurring story.
Hopefully the thing that's going to be different is we come away winners this time, Gauld stated. We've not had good luck against L.A. the last couple of years. We all know how good a side they are. But if you want to win the trophies, you've got to beat the best teams.
Star Power Transforms Both Squads
Both clubs made significant late-season additions that have transformed their attacking threats. LAFC signed South Korean forward Son Heung-min in August, while Vancouver brought German legend Thomas Muller to bolster their lineup.
The marquee players share history from their Bundesliga days, when Muller starred for Bayern Munich and Son played for Hamburg SV and Bayer Leverkusen. Muller remembers Son as a talented athlete but notes the teams weren't at the same level during their German encounters.
The teams weren't at the same level, so it's maybe not really fair to judge or to compare the situation, Muller said. We are now two very good teams. He's a big player there, I'm a big player here, so it's a little bit different.
Confident Whitecaps Ready for Challenge
Under rookie head coach Jesper Sorensen, Vancouver has emerged as a dominant force this season. The team finished second in the Western Conference with an 18-7-9 record during regular season play. Their impressive campaign also included reaching the CONCACAF Champions Cup final and winning their fourth straight Canadian Championship title.
The Whitecaps earned their semifinal spot by sweeping FC Dallas in a best-of-three first-round series, building momentum for Saturday's crucial matchup.
We're in a good place as a team, said striker Brian White. I think we've had a really good year, so we're really confident in how we play and what we could bring to the game. And obviously it's a very tough test. They have some really good players, a really good team with tons of experience.
LAFC arrives in Vancouver after defeating Austin FC twice in the first round. They finished the regular season with a 17-8-9 record, securing third place in the Western Conference. Beyond Son, LAFC features sniper Denis Bouanga, who scored 24 goals during the regular season, tied for second-most in MLS behind Inter Miami's Lionel Messi.
Gauld recognizes the defensive challenge ahead: It's no secret that their biggest threat is the two up top, Bouanga and Son. Trying to keep a lid on them is a big part of the game. It's really hard to keep good players down for 90 minutes.
Despite the formidable opposition, Muller expresses confidence in Vancouver's approach: I think since Son came in, I think they did not play a team with our level of intensity. And I'm not sure they can deal with it. It's still a game where everything can happen, but I'm feeling quite comfortable.
Saturday's game will mark the 15th meeting between these clubs since April 2023, creating a well-established rivalry. For Vancouver players, this history fuels their determination to finally overcome their playoff nemesis.
There's definitely a lot of feeling that we want to put things right and make a better statement for the club that we've improved, we're getting better and we're a serious team, Gauld emphasized.
While focused on the immediate challenge, Muller made clear that Vancouver's ambitions extend beyond this single game. We are happy to be there, but our mission is not done yet, he stated. We are thinking only about this game, but we have more plans.
The stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying playoff encounter as Vancouver seeks to turn the tables on their California rivals and advance to their first Western Conference final.
