Vanni Sartini opened his arms to an unlikely addition to the Vancouver Whitecaps’ fanbase of their deciding fixture in opposition to Los Angeles FC within the MLS playoffs.
Within the Whitecaps’ wild card match in opposition to the Portland Timbers, a sport they received 5-0, opposition supervisor Phil Neville believed that God was on his aspect after the sport was performed at Windfall Park, regardless of Vancouver ending increased within the Western Convention.
Sartini defined after the outcome that he didn’t consider in God however mentioned he can be a welcome Whitecaps supporter of their must-win encounter on the BMO Stadium.
“I don’t know. After final time after I mentioned that I don’t assume he exists, I don’t know if he needs to change into a part of the Whitecaps, but when he does, we are going to give him an honorary card,” Sartini mentioned.
The Whitecaps pressured a deciding sport of their best-of-three collection after beating LAFC 3-0 at BC Place, the one tie to go the space within the West.
Vancouvers’ postseason kind has seen them play a few of their finest soccer this time period, and Sartini is hoping for that to proceed.
“We had a run within the late summer season, and we have been enjoying rather well, and we’ve achieved that very same degree, and it’s the extent of a prime 4 crew to be trustworthy,” Sartini added.
“The three video games, we knew that the situations have been going to be again, and we knew we have been gearing in the direction of the playoffs with all of the gamers arriving and able to go.
“I do know that we are going to play a superb sport in Los Angeles, we are going to. If we win, I don’t know. We are going to honour this playoff run.”
Your 2024 Vancouver Whitecaps FC #VWFC | #FIFTYTGTHR pic.twitter.com/LH26JIkKkb
— X – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) November 7, 2024
LAFC, in the meantime, will probably be aiming to avenge their defeat in Sport 2, hoping to not change into the second high-profile casualty within the playoffs after the Columbus Crew have been eradicated by the New York Crimson Bulls within the Jap Convention bracket.
Ryan Gauld opened the scoring within the tenth minute earlier than two own-goals both aspect of half-time from Ryan Hollingshead and Eddie Segura sealed the win for Vancouver.
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo bemoaned his aspect’s gradual begin to proceedings after discovering themselves two objectives down inside 13 minutes and is seeking to rectify that on dwelling turf this time round.
“In the event you return to the 11 video games that we misplaced this season, it has at all times been the essential moments firstly of the half the place we make psychological lapses and errors,” Cherundolo mentioned.
“It was a bit sloppy mentally and tactically in these moments and that’s simply not adequate to win video games. In opposition to Vancouver, it’s tough as a result of they’re a crew stuffed with power.
“They nearly at all times capitalise on opponents’ errors, they usually did in opposition to us. We’ve nothing responsible however ourselves and we are going to look to right these errors in coaching.”
Squad pic.twitter.com/rvc7IHGGy9
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 7, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LAFC – Denis Bouanga
Regardless of not discovering the again of the online in Sport 2, Bouanga will probably be hoping to get himself again among the many objectives in opposition to one in every of his favoured opponents within the MLS.
He has recorded a minimum of one objective contribution in all 5 dwelling matches he’s performed in opposition to Vancouver in all competitions, totalling 4 objectives and 4 assists over the 5 matches.
Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld
Gauld has scored in 4 straight matches for the Whitecaps going again to the top of the common season, together with a objective throughout his aspect’s victory in Sport 2.
The one Whitecaps participant to attain in 5 straight MLS matches (common season and playoffs) is Camilo Sanvezzo between June and July 2013.
MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN
Whereas the collection is degree heading into the decider, it’s LAFC who’re predicted to emerge victorious in line with Opta’s data-led simulations.
Nonetheless, their seven-match profitable streak in all competitions ended with the loss to Vancouver in Sport 2. LAFC haven’t misplaced consecutive matches in over a yr, since a three-match dropping run between August and September 2023.
Vancouver’s 3-0 win final day trip ended an eight-match winless run within the best-of-three collection. (D2 L6). They’ve managed just one win in 12 all-time away matches in opposition to LAFC (D4 L7) however did beat the Black and Gold in a penalty shootout at BMO Stadium within the Leagues Cup this yr.
The Whitecaps’ triumph in Sport 2 was their third all-time playoff victory (D2 L8). In these three wins, the Whitecaps have outscored opponents, 13-0, whereas being outscored 19-6, of their different 10 postseason contests.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LAFC – 63.1%
Draw – 19.6%
Vancouver Whitecaps – 17.3%
