A Cascadia Cup clash with huge playoff implications in the MLS Western Conference occurs on Saturday at BC Place Stadium as the Vancouver Whitecaps host the Portland Timbers.
In their previous league fixture, the Caps dropped to seventh in the West with a 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy, putting them just two points above the eighth-place Timbers, who pulled out a dramatic 3-3 result with Real Salt Lake.
Match preview
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September has not been a great month for the Caps domestically so far, but they still find themselves in a solid position to return to the post-season.
In four league fixtures this month, this team have claimed just one victory, but a win this weekend, combined with a loss or draw by Dallas, would be enough to see them clinch a playoff berth.
Vancouver have improved their home form in recent outings, claiming at least a point in five of their previous six MLS affairs at BC Place, four of which were victories.
Saturday is the first game of a four-game homestand for them in this competition, allowing them an opportunity to reach double-digits for MLS home victories for the first time since 2022 (10), with the Caps currently on six league triumphs at BC Place this year.
Vanni Sartini's men will enter this encounter on a high note after claiming a third successive Canadian Championship this week, defeating Toronto on penalties Wednesday (4-2) and booking a place in the CONCACAF Champions Cup next season.
The Caps have won their last two home games against the Timbers in this competition, picking up a narrow 3-2 triumph when they met in Vancouver earlier this year.
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With points in four of their last five league fixtures, the Timbers have significantly increased their odds of returning to the post-season for the first time since 2022.
Portland are currently seven points above the Western Conference playoff line, and a win this weekend, combined with losses by Dallas and Austin FC, would guarantee they make the playoffs.
Phil Neville's men have been among the most exciting MLS teams in 2024, tied with the Galaxy for the most goals scored in the Western Conference this year (63).
Over half of their domestic encounters this year (17/30) have ended with four or more goals being scored between themselves and their opponent.
This season, Portland have claimed 13 points from a losing position in the second half of their league fixtures, including last weekend versus RSL, when they erased a 2-0 deficit and wound up with a point thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser.
The Portland Timbers have not won a regular-season fixture in Canada since defeating the Whitecaps 3-2 at BC Place in April 2022.
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Team News
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Against the Galaxy, Sartini rested numerous regulars ahead of the Canadian Championship final, with captain Ryan Gauld, Fafa Picault and Pedro Vite beginning that match on the bench last weekend.
We saw six new faces in the starting 11 for them versus LA who did not begin their previous MLS affair, including Belal Halbouni, Tristan Blackmon, Ralph Priso, Alessandro Schopf, Edier Ocampo and Levonte Johnson.
Brian White netted his team-leading 14th of the MLS campaign last weekend, with Sam Adekugbe scoring for the first time this season.
In their previous encounter, Claudio Bravo only lasted until the end of the first half as he is still recovering from a lower leg issue, while the Timbers will be without their joint-top-goalscorer Evander on Saturday due to yellow card accumulation.
After missing their match with RSL through suspension, Dario Zuparic is eligible to return to the Portland lineup against Vancouver.
Antony, Evander and Jonathan Rodriguez each scored in the second half last weekend, with the Uruguayan's 92nd-minute strike earning them a point, as he is tied with Evander for the team lead in that department.
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Takaoka; Blackmon, Veselinovic, Utvik; Raposo, Armstrong, Cubas, Vite; Picault, White, Gauld
Portland Timbers possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Mosquera, Zuparic, K. Miller, Bravo; Williamson, Chara; Moreno, Toye, Antony; Mora
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Portland Timbers
Being deprived of one of the top chance creators in the league (Evander) is a big blow for the visitors, and although Vancouver may be a little fatigued from their midweek affair, we believe they can find a way past a Timbers unit that leave plenty of space in behind.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
