LA Galaxy vs Whitecaps Pre-Match Thoughts

What's at stake

It's win and we're in respectively the Whitecaps and the Galaxy. A win will get them to the Round Of 32 of the Leagues Cup and will be facing most likely Tigres in West 1, as if Tigres wins, penalty shootout win or a penalty shootout loss they'll finish 1st in the group otherwise the 2nd place in West 3 which'll be depending on this match. A win in 90 minutes or a penalty shootout win will be enough to put the Whitecaps through, same situation for the Los Angeles Galaxy. As Vanni said this is like a knockout game win, even in the penalty shootout we're are through if not we're out. There is no possible way that the Caps and the Galaxy can finish top of the group now.

Potential for recovery

While the main focus is to go for the Leagues Cup, maybe a few weeks off of competitive matches for both sides will feel like a physical and mental reset. As Major League Soccer doesn't continue until August 20th that'll be a lot of time for the teams to focus into the most important part of the regular season. It doesn't seem too bad especially for the Whitecaps, to have all your focus on the MLS and be determined to get in the playoffs. For the Galaxy their MLS season seems to be sliding down the drain, but they are not that far off from the number 9 seed which will have them battlin for the last playoff spot. This for sure wouldn't be ideal, but maybe some rest is what some of the teams need.

Form/ Meeting Last Time

The form of the Whitecaps has been inconsistent recently, as at times you have unreal wins and sometimes you have concerning defeats. The Caps had a commanding 4-2 win versus the LA Galaxy as most of the game they were dominating, a goal for White in the 2nd minute, then 2 consecutive goals by Ryan Gauld, a right footed top bin strike and a penalty. Also a red card given out to the Galaxy and it's 3-0 in less than 25 minutes and the Galaxy are a man down. Then in the second half something shook the Caps and the Galaxy got 2 back. It's inexcusable to concede 2 goals with the opposition being a man down. It seems harsh but that may be the reality of the defence of the Caps this season, started off so hot it was as 443 minutes of shutout by the Caps, which is the longest streak in Whitecaps MLS era history. Then you give up 13 goals in 6 games in all competitions. Hopefully the defence finds a solution very soon or else it'll be punishing for the playoff push. The Whitecaps did end up getting a goal from Cordova to finish the game for the Caps. A 1-1 draw in the beginning of the MLS season, as a Tristan Blackmon header was the Whitecaps lone goal, this was at Los Angeles. For the players, the attack is zooming with Gauld putting the balls in for the centre backs, Brian White and Sergio Cordova is torching opposition defences recently and Cubas has been as usual solid. The centre backs are a part of that defensive problem as at times the back 3 that Sartini has played recently has been poor, all individual center backs has been poor at times, Martins doesn't feel like a proper center back, there is an argument that his attacking might be better than his defending and in a back 3 that isn't ideal. Blackmon and Veselinovic has been alright, it's surely not the best of what they can offer, especially the marking should be tighter and better. Takaoka is the main point of this defensive collapse mid season in my opinion, he has made costly decisions and has been scored on rather easily recently, he did decent in penalties but in open play he has been poor. To summarize the Whitecaps form currently is unsteady.

Decisions...decisions

Vanni has multiple huge decisions to make. Ali Ahmed is unavailable for Sunday, Javain Brown is questionable. The first decision for Vanni Sartini is rather you play Brian White, Sergio Cordova or form them on a strike partnership, as both players form have been excellent. Next decision is to either keep the back 3 or change it back to a back 4 where it felt like the defence was more stable. As maybe you play Laborda as a right back in a back 4 if Javain Brown isn't available. The final decision is about J.C Ngando and the midfield just made his first ever Whitecaps start the night versus Club Leon, now will Vanni reward the youngster for that great showing versus Club Leon. As Gressel departs, the options are limited in the midfield, Ali Ahmed is out, your options are only Schopf, Vite, Teibert, Cubas, Berhalter, Ngando. Vite isn't really a center mid he is more of a number 10 in my view. But if you have to play Vite out of position since the lack of depth than it wouldn't be horrible. Teibert seems to be only coming on as a sub nowadays. S0 maybe a Vite, Cubas, Schopf midfield if you play a 4-3-2-1. A 3-1-4-2 might be Cubas at CDM and the wingbacks will probably be Martins and Raposo. The two center mids will be 2 of the 6 players that I named. It's better to play a 4-3-1-2 in my view but Vanni will most likely refuse to do that. A 3 at the back will test the mind of Vanni to see who plays in the midfield.

My Lineup

If I was Vanni I would play a 4-3-1-2 with White and Cordova being the strike partnership, Gauld being in the number 10 spot, Vite, Cubas, Schopf midfield. Martins, Blackmon, Vesilinovic and Laborda the back line and even though he has been struggling Takaoka between the goal posts will be my preferred lineup for Sunday.

Prediction

This will be a brawl between the two sides, with both teams having the same scenario. I predict a late winner by Brian White will make the Whitecaps win 2-1 and advance to the knockout rounds.