One of the most intense conferences in the history of MLS/ scenarios for Caps in Decision Day

Every different campaign, I expect perseverance and entertainment until the end. With each season usually battling and fighting for that final position or positions, being so intense. That's what happens commonly inside of the MLS. This season maybe potentially being even more crazy and outstanding than the others. Now in the preparation for Decision Day. Where your fate for your endeavor is still unsettled, there are still three spots up for grabs. While Vancouver has already qualified and clinched the playoffs gaining an automatic playoff spot. But man did they put in exertion to qualify, despite the Whitecaps great performances and achievements over the course of the season. They still struggle to get a spot where comfortness is not high. But nevertheless for the first time since 2017, Vancouver will see an home playoff game. For the Whitecaps they will qualify for the second time in three seasons. Well, nowadays the playoff format has switched. There is a newly implemented Wild Card match between the eighth and the ninth. Which is now considered as a playoff spot, even if your team falls in that match. This does not relieve and retrieve the stableness and the workrate that this league has tried so much to make it grow, and stand out compared to different leagues across this planet. Vancouver provided their supporters with this season with joy and happiness. But it is still really difficult at this standpoint to qualify for home field advantage in the first round which will require them to be in the Top 4 of the Western Conference. This is almost normal inside of Major League Soccer, it being down to the last matchday to clinch the playoffs. But this campaign it seems even more bonkers than usual. In the Western Conference of the MLS, from seventh all the way to eleventh has a possibility to clinch a playoff position. That's more rare than before. Only a two point margin separates between current seventh place Portland and the eleventh seed right now Minnesota. The Western Conference this season has been nothing short of very chaotic with teams battling and giving their fullest focus, effort and enterprise for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2023. On the other spectrum, there is also some teams above the pack of seventh and eleventh. Also trying to show passion for their franchise and give it their all on Decision Day.

Whitecaps Scenarios

As I have mentioned, there is no possibility of Vancouver falling out of the playoff spectrum at this stage. A guaranteed automatic playoff spot will be the case heading into Decision Day. So they do not have to worry about not qualifying for the playoffs. But that doesn't mean that the stakes for this Decision Day match is low. As there is still so much to battle and play for against LAFC on Saturday. As some of you might have already calculated or viewed the scenario on how to clinch a top 4 position to secure home field advantage. But if you haven't, this is a quick summary. Out of these games also occurring on Decision Day. 2 of these 3 other events will have to be granted for the Whitecaps to successfully clinch a Top 4 position. First the Whitecaps obviously need to win their match to even have possibility of getting berth to Top 4. Secondly, Seattle has to lose away from St Louis for the Whitecaps to overtake them. Then they will need Houston to drop points against Portland or Real Salt Lake to drop points against Colorado. Therefore, if the Whitecaps can get a victory alongside with two of these events then they will have a Top 4 position in Decision Day. Now for a third position which is still possible and could be reality, those three events where Seattle has to lose, Real Salt Lake or Houston has to drop points and two of those three following events are truthful. Now they need all three out of three to be truthful, while obviously still needing to emphasis on the victory. An pretty slim chance I would personally say, but while people say Vancouver has to keep their calm and avoid the pressure potentially coming so does Real Salt Lake, Seattle and Houston. In all realness, I believe that Decision Day nerves are probably the matchday where it will be the most nervy. Mostly when you have a lot to play for and not just looking forward to plan your vacation. While keeping an eye on what's happening in the other matches across the leagues but especially these games as some beneficial results can bump the Caps up into a optimal and less worrisome position. Another factor is that, the only team that is in playoff contention that doesn't need to worry about falling down in the standings the lone franchise is Vancouver. In this current standpoint, the only two directions to potentially go for Vancouver is up or don't move. With the gap being four between them and seventh, they are certainly in this patch of the realms of better and trustable teams. So the Whitecaps has only up to go and there is zero possibility that they will fall even one position. Another possibility and something that has kind of been less talked about, the fifth position. I do understand why but it is worth a talk about since you will most likely get an easier opponent depending on your perspective. And potentially more fear and fright for their opposition, as the difference between fourth and fifth is marginal. On the other hand, for third and sixth that is more wide and on paper, less competitive and less fierce than the four and five matchup. For the Whitecaps to get into the fifth position, which will be slightly more optimal than sixth there are some slight advantages but not durastic advantages. First you will potentially get into a easier and less difficult first round opponent, if you advance all the way to the semi-finals and face the sixth seed you will get the detrimental home advantage in a one and done matchup. A long way to look forward to, but more monumental and those slight advantages might become massive. This is the only place to potentially go up, without a win as a draw on Decision Day could get the Whitecaps in 5th if they get fortunate. An RSL defeat and Whitecaps draw would boost Vancouver into fifth for those slight perks. Also the longer route to get to a destination better than your current position. The Whitecaps gain a victory against LAFC, then one of the three occurring events happen. That will cause the Caps to be in an upper spot than them going into Decision Day. Quick summary of that. The key matches that the Whitecaps need to keep an eye of that might have a significant impact on where they will finish. Seattle away against St Louis. Houston on the road versus Portland, and Real Salt Lake also away from home against Colorado. Those three matchups will be crucial for the Whitecaps final position in the regular season. A loss will still place then in 6th which isn't a horrible spot to be in for the upcoming postseason.

Prediction

After the possible scenarios for the Whitecaps and only up to go, I believe they will finish in the fifth position. As RSL are playing the bottom of the league in Colorado, with Seattle playing an already secured first seed in St Louis. The opponents for the other games isn't too difficult. But I do believe that the Whitecaps won't lose at home to LAFC. With not many but a good enough amount to boost the Whitecaps to a more optimal position than pregame. To conclude, I believe that the Whitecaps will be unsuccessful in gaining home advantage but will be successful to be in a slightly better spot than before.