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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 goal to interrupt into the highest seven of the Western Convention and keep away from taking part in within the first spherical of the playoffs.
Nonetheless, Sartini believes that this presents a chance for his fringe gamers to step up in opposition to 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 rather essential to win,” Sartini mentioned. “Sadly, we didn’t do effectively within the final couple of video games so now this recreation has develop into one the place we will get again into the highest seven and keep away from the primary spherical of the playoffs.
“It’s essential to get again to the place we now have been for the final 30 plus video games. We have to reset and good. I feel it’s additionally a very good suppose, I’d sound loopy, that we now have the worldwide break.
“We’ve got a whole lot of gamers that might want to step up and have to be there, so they arrive maybe a little bit 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 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 essential factors for us. efficiency.”
“For us to maintain getting these outcomes is big,” 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 preventing for first place within the league is basically powerful 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 purpose menace for the go to of LAFC.
The American has performed extra video games in opposition to this weekend’s opponents than some other crew he has confronted within the MLS (13), profitable 4 of these (D3 L6), whereas scoring 3 times.
LAFC – Mateusz Bogusz
Bogusz has 20 purpose involvements (14 objectives, six assists) in 30 MLS appearances this time period, netting a purpose in opposition to Vancouver in LAFC’s 3-0 win earlier this season.
The Pole, nevertheless, has gained simply one among his three video games in opposition to Vancouver (D1 L1), and he will probably be hoping to get his report 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 attempting to achieve the 60-point mark for the third time within the final six seasons (2019, 2022) whereas no different MLS crew has accomplished 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 type of defeats was a 3-0 loss in opposition to 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%
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