Do or die for the Vancouver Whitecaps: Whitecaps vs LAFC Game 2, MLS Playoffs: Pre-Match Thoughts

The massive showdown between the sixed seed Vancouver Whitecaps versus the third seed LAFC will face off for the sixth time in the 2023 campaign on Sunday. Vancouver trying to improve on the incredibly subpar and poor performance their last outing. Losing to LAFC to the score of 5-2, being obliterated in terms of the final score. With the set pieces being the main cause for their horrific defeat. While last time they had an opportunity to rebuttal and have life. Now here is an "Do or Die" kind of match, with an defeat to LAFC will indicate that the Vancouver Whitecaps will be out of the 2023 MLS playoffs, also meaning the season is over. As the Whitecaps cannot afford anymore mistricks and mistakes anymore. The bars are set high and no losing can transpire, as the Whitecaps look to extend their MLS Cup run to at least one more game.

Gigantic Factors

In a must-win playoff match. You will have to directly approach the game with force and persistence. The thing is, that's the same strategy that the Los Angeles Football Club have planned too. Vancouver will have to take the game away from them. Don't let them get the necessary momentum, for LAFC to start dominating the match. You in front of your stadium will have to be in control, and be prepared for every situation and hardships that they might face. But this is the most crucial factor that could make or break a season. You will have to most importantly take the game away from the LAFC stars, especially Denis Bouanga. The MLS Golden Boot winner has scored six goals in the five matches that LAFC has played the Whitecaps this season. With three of the six goals coming in this Vancouver stadium (BC Place). We will have to make him work for it, mark him tightly, don't let him have the room, be aggressive with tackling. The threat that has been Bouanga as it really seems like he enjoys a newsworthy performance against the Whitecaps. While LAFC has successfully stopped Brian White the player also was in the running for the Golden Boot, coming up in tied in fifth. He has scored two in these five matches against LAFC this campaign. While Gauld other than that outrageous and Player Of The Matchday performance on June 24th, no other goals from him other than the brace he got in June. So LAFC, are alright in attaining the Whitecaps players but Denis Bouanga will need a solution by the Caps for this one where your season is on the line. As well as, Carlos Vela could also fascinate you. Max Crepeau with his antics and controversy, Chellini a extremely-well experienced center-back, Ilie, Hollingshead, Bougsz. So many talented and great players that causes threats and danger for the Whitecaps. On both ends. To be candid, there is no chance that the Whitecaps will win the game if they hand constant opportunities to the opposition. They will have to make the skillful players earn their plays, instead of handing them the potential opportunities to score chances. Make it as difficult as possible, for the opposition make it feel uncomfortable and attempt to take the game further away from them. Don't let them get comfortable, and make them find their groove and momentum. No silly giveaways can be afforded in this game. From my points, the Whitecaps will have to incorporate all the work and training that they have done on the defensive end, to defeat LAFC in this do or die playoff match. Mistakes committed now, cannot be rectified later.

Atmosphere

Despite the possible attendance and presence of the fans already have been an major headline. With the upper bowl being unbolted for the first time in Whitecaps MLS era. With now, even more sections being opened in the upper bowl. As from the beginning of the upper bowl sales, being publicly announced on the Whitecaps' socials on Thursday. But the ticket were already starting to sell on Wednesday, almost lurking in the shadows being slightly unknown. Now from the lacklustering and disappointing sections originally opened, only 439-443 being unlocked. Now more sections have been opened, currently 435-447 are all also ready to rock including the lower bowl. So now seats being opened something that the Whitecaps have never experienced in their MLS lifetime. Could this be the highest attendance MLS game for Vancouver, in one of the biggest matches for the Whitecaps at BC Place? Attendance is one thing, atmosphere is a whole other. As MLS being well-known for some unique but hostile atmospheres. Every team in this league, having franchises that has multiple supporters groups that makes the stadium at times deafening especially in the higher attendance ones. While if there was a time to build and back your local team it is now. With the first home playoff game since 2017, Vancouver is for sure prepared to cheer their team on. The Vancouver supporter groups, will have to create an lit and fiery atmosphere to back their Whitecaps as the 12th man, as I believe the attendance, atmosphere and environment will play a tremendous part in this battle.

New rules

The newly implemented rules have really benefited the Whitecaps after Game 1. As the advantage and difference of the Best Of 3, is to generate more of an opportunity for teams and avoid undeserved things from occurring. With one match, it is difficult to judge the franchise based off of that. So, despite Vancouver losing by three goals. That is all scratched and only counted towards a loss. Even though, it still placed the Whitecaps in a difficult and undesired position. There is still possibilities. As they will only have to outplay LAFC in the next two. It's almost like receiving an second opportunity. So the only thing that goes into the record in this series, is that the Whitecaps suffer a loss and LAFC leads the round. But the difference will not matter, so that really helped the Whitecaps. As with an 3 goal cushion by LAFC, it will be a flabbergasting and unbelievable miracle if the Whitecaps comeback in the second-leg. But with a Beat Of 3, even if you get the most scuffed and dodgy wins possible and you get obliterated one game. You will still win the series, and that's something that is really benefiting and helping the Whitecaps immensely. Another rule that was implemented, as it was added with the Best Of 3. Was the rule, penalty shootout right away. Which will be so much madness and chaos being involved if it is tied after the full 90 minutes. With the former beef and acrimony that serves in a PK shootout, especially with the storyline of Maxime Crepeau and his antics. Would be so nerve-wracking and intense to watch for the supporters. They don't give you an opportunity to play extra time, you just go right in penalty kicks, where anything can possibly happen. Even in the wildest and most intense scenarios can happen, with one team at the end standing with delightness and joy while the other in severe pain and anger.

Crucial Decisions

The stage could not be set much bigger than this. With BC Place being a fortress, Vanni will have to once again ace all his tactics. As the result didn't prove it, but the Whitecaps were the better and more dominant team on Decision Day. While they weren't absolutely horrible in Game 1, but the result again says otherwise. But it seems like the Decision Day tactics were ideal, with the style of play and what the statistics distributed. It was an pretty good showing by the Whitecaps on Decision Day, was just unluckiness and also an highly controversial and almost unorthodox way to drop points. While he has had his success against LAFC this campaign as well. So first of all, all the hard work and important details and attributes that was worked on in training. Will have to apply here, in such an pivotal playoff match. From the set pieces defending, which they struggled immensely last game. To the different ways to contain the LAFC players. All has to be incorporated into this special occasion on Sunday. Assuming he plays a three at the back, since that's what Vanni believes that has worked the best for him this campaign. Also considering that, they have rarely used the 4 at the back since late June. While Sam Adekugbe was the only player being slightly unfit and not sure if he would be available midweek, but it seems like he trained with the team with no issue on Wednesday. So assuming he would play in such a large occasion. Most importantly, the penalties. The Whitecaps have lost both times they went to penalties. Both against top Mexican opponents, one even going to the 19th shots until Luis Martins eventually ended it with an failed attempt against Club Leon. In a newsworthy long shootout. That might just be a lesson to take now. As it seems like, does might be preparation for now. With the order needing to be spot on for the perfect way to beat LAFC. Trusting the players and your goalkeeper.

Prediction

This is one of the most difficult predictions and anticipations that I am just unsure of which side will win. As part of me thinks that if it gets to penalties, LAFC will have the upper hand. Since Crepeau has got the mind games and all that. While that's also the way that they defeated Philadelphia last year to win the MLS Cup. While the Whitecaps' record in shootouts has been poor this season. Also unknowing who is the favourites for this one. As this should be on of MLS' most energizing and most hard-fought games this matchup. But I really feel like the Blue and White will be resilient, they will be persistent. The Whitecaps won't let the season end that easily, as they really desire and want another lifeline. So I believe the Whitecaps will sneak away with a 2-1 victory, in an extremely even display and a game that could have went either way. But this time, I think it's time where the luck finally starts shifting over to Vancouver. As it is a "game of inches" and I believe the Whitecaps will get the slight edge on Sunday.

Man Of The Match

It would be simple to just pick the obvious choices in Gauld or White. And if you do that, I don't fault you. As both of them are capable of shifting and generating momentum for their teams. But I have a sneaky feeling that Tristan Blackmon would make a immense impact. Against his former team, I think he can make an significant impact on the result despite being an defender. With his ability to track back and his calm and composure, it really seems like this might be an occasion where Blackmon would thrive in. Especially for this being his last year of his contract, while having an club option for 2024 and 2025. His experience and capabilities to stay calm will really benefited the Whitecaps in this one I believe. So I pick Tristan Blackmon to be the unique but outstanding to be the Whitecaps Man Of The Match.