New York City FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps Pre-Match Thoughts: Build off the momentum

Last game before a break

The game against New York City FC, will be the final game before the international break. Where Andres Cubas and Sergio Cordova was called up, the rest of the Caps have 2 weeks of recovery. As after the New York City FC game, the next game will be on September 16 against fellow Canadian team Toronto FC. The Whitecaps will have to work on the game against New York City first, then they can look forward to a 2 week break, except for the players called up for the international duty which is only Cubas and Cordova.

Standings

With 9 games remaining for the Whitecaps, if they win here against New York, there is a possibility of them jumping all the way into 2nd in the MLS Western Conference standings. But every result will have to go there way, with them playing at 12:30PT which is the earliest in the MLS this matchday, we will not know where the Caps will finish after Matchday 30 in the MLS right after the match. While a loss will be a major setback, as there is possibility for the Whitecaps to drop all the way to 8th place, which will drop them to the wildcard match, every match matters from now until the end of the season, to see where the Caps will end off at the end of the season.

Last matchup

We will have to date back to the beginning of the 2022 season, for the last matchup between Vancouver and New York City FC, as it was a scoreless draw the last time they played. It was also the home opener for the Whitecaps, as they were up against New York City FC which were the defending Major League Soccer champions at the time. It was a 0-0 draw between the two sides in BC Place one year ago. If we date back a long, long time, it was a win by the Whitecaps upsetting the New York City FC 2-0 in 1979 to make it to the final of the NASL Soccer Bowl, which Vancouver won at the end.

Key stat of the match

For me it is the interceptions that can really haunt New York City FC, as they are 28th across MLS in the interceptions category with 7.7 per match. While this stat is where Vancouver is towards the top of the league in second place, with 11.2 interceptions per match. So using those statistics, it might be pretty comfortable opening up the New York City FC defence, as last game the Whitecaps opened up Chicago's defence a lot so with these stats, maybe we can expect the same with New York City FC? But Vancouver still has to be careful passing at the back, as maybe unexpectedly some pressing might happen. And the Caps will make a costly mistake, so still look to open up the defence but keep composed at the back. After a clean sheet on Wednesday night, against Chicago.

A look at New York City

New York City FC seem to be struggling this year, as they are currently 13th in the Eastern Conference, but they have 29 points which is near 9th place which is Chicago on 32 points. As 9th place will get you a wildcard match spot. Maybe points is not the best way to look at things, as they won the MLS cup only 1.5 years ago, but this season seems like a subpar one, at least so far for them. As the Wednesday win over Montreal, was the 3rd win out of 22 in all competitions dating back to around late April. While they still have some top class players here in the MLS, with Santiago Rodriguez being the top scorer of this season currently and Talles Magno who is only 21 and seems like a prospect in Major League Soccer. In the defensive end of the pitch, you have Sands who has won the most tackles on the squad (28) while their main goalkeeper is Barraza, who has played 24 games this season, and New York City FC as a whole, conceded 35 goals. I believe New York City FC Coach, Nick Cushing prefers to play a 4-2-3-1 as he used that formation 5 out of the last 5 games. So I believe he is going to roll with that setup again here in this one versus the Whitecaps.

Vanni's decision

After back to back wins during this week, the Whitecaps will look for 9 out of 9 points in this one at Yankee Stadium and something that is crucial is the decision Vanni Sartini makes. As you just had a game on Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm Pacific Time, and now you're playing a game here in New York at 12:30 pm Pacific Time, so it is a 67 hour difference between the start of last game versus this game, which is to be honest not that much time to re-gain fitness. So Vanni may have to use the depth of the Whitecaps in this game. First off, are you starting both Gauld and White? As Gauld played 89 minutes in Portland, and the full 90 minutes plus extra time against Chicago. That will be 179 minutes, plus stoppage times in a week for Ryan Gauld, so maybe he starts on the bench, but I predict that he would get subbed off at around the 60th-75th minute, as fatigue will finally get to him. Maybe Veselinovic and Blackmon needs a break as well, as they've played the full 90 minutes in both of the games this week, but I think not both of them will rest, as the center-back depth isn't great. With the only option in mind that is waiting are Laborda and Yao. Karifa Yao not getting a lot of game time, and I doubt that would change in a game that is that important to the playoffs. So fatigue and fitness of the players, would impact a lot on what Vanni is thinking.

Personally I would play in this setup.

I would play in a 3-1-4-2 as it seems to work pretty well during these last two games, with Takaoka in goal, I believe Blackmon's energy level is slightly higher so I'll play him, alongside Laborda and Brown as the defensive back 3, I think Cubas and Cordova will be eligible for this game, as the call up is for after this game. So Cubas as the one defensive midfielder, Adekugbe and Laryea being the wing-backs, as I believe that they help this team in a lot of good ways and I believe they have chemistry with each other as well and I think they play best when both is on the pitch, the center-midfielders being Schopf and Ahmed, with Ahmed being young, his energy level will probably be pretty good. With the two strikers being Ryan Gauld and Brian White.

Prediction

I think this game will be a game with great intensity, with both teams looking hungry for the victory. So both will prove it as a lot of fouls will be committed in this game I believe, and it will be a 1-1 draw at the half. Then New York City will strike first in the second half, and when they thought that they won the game Vancouver will equalize. To make New York City and the Whitecaps share the points.

Final Prediction: New York City FC 2-2 Vancouver Whitecaps

Key Player Of The Match

I think the Key Player Of The Match will be Brian White, as he has scored in his last 5 away games, scoring against Chicago, Portland, LAFC, St Louis and LA Galaxy. And he'll look to add to that streak in this one against New York City FC, as I said there may be a moment where he can slip behind the defence, and score yet again. As it really feels like he's been on fire recently, with getting the deciding goal in Chicago, getting the winner for Vancouver in the death against the Galaxy. As a few more goals, and this might be Brian White's best season of his career, maybe a goal or two for the American here against New York City FC.