Whitecaps vs LAFC Pre Match Thoughts: What can Vancouver do on Decision Day vs the reigning champs?

Another Major League Soccer campaign, another vital Decision Day. This time the Whitecaps will host LAFC, both teams with major things to fight for. Despite Vancouver providing entertainment towards their home fans. It doesn't appear to be as crucial as usual. But some things that supporters usually doesn't grasped. An topic that the Whitecaps has been associated with in the past, this situation. Not exactly but it might be an even more significant than usual. This time, the Whitecaps has a match to host in LAFC the reigning champions with their seeding not confirmed.

Decision Day Past

Previously on this exact occasion, this time the pressure is slightly relieved. For the Whitecaps, Decision Day is either the match that decides your future or it just straight up does not matter and the players are already ready to plan their vacation. I believe most of you will recall when it was heading into Decision Day in the 2022 campaign, the Caps supporters had so much trust in this team after a stunning three match winning streak to bring the Whitecaps into this situation. A win to get in. Away from home against Minnesota United. We all know the result. Just an heartbreaking loss, after the confidence boost and such hope just being crushed on Decision Day. In this one, it is not nearly as intense for the viewers in this one with the Whitecaps not having to worry about not clinching the playoffs. The first time since 2021 where the Caps already qualified for the playoffs heading into Decision Day. There is an advantage of this maybe just being a learning game, a learning experience and get into the fullest extent of every single movement being tracked being headed into the playoffs. But there is still a more optimal position up to grabs. Towards the more positive stuff, in 2021. The scenarios were friendly towards the Whitecaps if I remember correctly. An draw was enough for the Whitecaps to clinch the sixth seed a Ryan Gauld header was the decider to get the equalizer. That one was one to remember for Vancouver in front of the giant home crowd. Just an astonishing and a proud night but after that instance. Things were going downhill and the Caps were unable to advance into the second round of the playoffs. Losing to Sporting Kansas City 3-1 which was not like the tipping point where supporters were livid, but it was for sure a tough blow. So monumental and most likely presumably impact the odds and chances for playoff hope in the past. This time the influence on this match wouldn't be the craziest and most intense thing ever but there would still be backs against the wall as there is still quite a lot to fight for despite already clinching an playoff position.

Standings

I have already explained the scenarios on how to get certain positions in a previous blog, like third, fourth, fifth and sixth are the four potential places that they can go to. The matches that the Whitecaps need to keep an eye on is. Seattle away versus St Louis, Real Salt Lake away against Colorado and Houston away against the Timbers. If all of these three following events occur, than Vancouver would be in third. This will also apply to fourth and fifth if the Caps eyed to go up towards the standings and be in a less dangerous position. So Seattle need to lose to St Louis, then Houston needs to lose or draw and also Real Salt Lake either needs to lose or draw. Obviously followed up with a Whitecaps win then the Whitecaps will be in third. If two of those three events happen listed up top alongside a Whitecaps victory then fourth and home field advantage will apply in the first round. Finally there are two possible scenarios for fifth. First is that Vancouver wins and only one of those three prominent and approaching events happen then they will be in fifth or an RSL loss and a Whitecaps draw would also put them in fifth. An loss will automatic make the Whitecaps back into sixth place and a draw with Real Salt Lake winning or tying would also hatch the same result. For the perspective of the visitors LAFC, they can finish between the range of 2nd and 4th. Currently LAFC is in second with 51 points, while Houston in fourth is the lowest team that can potentially catch them. That wouldn't be all likely as well though, as even if Houston gets the victory and LAFC falls to the Whitecaps. Assuming the Whitecaps doesn't absolutely obliterate LAFC, and Houston doesn't dominate Portland then with the goal difference of 4. So Houston might have to win on a large margin and fiercely destroy the Timbers and potentially might have to rely on Vancouver destroying LAFC to possibly surpass them in the standings on Decision Day. Still lots to play for in Los Angeles, as they are the only team remaining for playoff contention inside the city of L.A. With a win, LAFC are guaranteed second. If they lose in a embarrassing fashion, just being totally destroyed like a 3-0 scoreline and Houston wins 2-0 then Houston will overtake them in the standings. So the goal differential of Houston will have to overlap LAFC currently they are four goals off LAFC in the goal differential department. Alongside with a Seattle victory then LAFC will drop to fourth. So there isn't the most to play for in the world, but still a big event that is occuring for them as gaining an benefitionary position in the playoffs is always crucial to win the cup. The chances of LAFC dropping to fourth is admittedly low, but anything is possible so if there is a slim chance possibility then it might happen. Otherwise, to third if Seattle wins and LAFC draws or loses. A bunch more but the main point is that LAFC can still drop two positions towards a worser spot to win the cup. Which is the goal for LAFC looking to defend that title.

Atmosphere

The Whitecaps shortly announced the estimate attendance of over 23,000 people in the stands of BC Place. They presented the information on their socials. I estimate around 23,500 will be the official attendance of the match. And the Whitecaps might be towards the top of the attendances on Decision Day. As that tally is way above average. It will be fascinating to see so many faces and supporters at BC Place but that is a sign of the future and the attendance can go uphill now. Back to back weekend matchday at BC Place where the attendance is above 19,000. We saw the ceiling of this team pre-pandemic. Now this attendance over the past 2 weekend matches has been spectacular for their usual standards. So here the leak of the Whitecaps socials is above 23,000 so the fortress in BC Place has been reunited with so many new supporters to potentially convert with a fun matchday experience and a victory for their beloved Vancouver. The only concern now is you have set a pretty high bar for Vancouver in the playoffs. An home playoff game is confirmed, so will Vancouver successfully even build off of this with the resurgence of the attendance in BC Place. There are a couple factors to re-evaluate in the off-season. But it is great knowing that the city still has a deep feeling for this team. And they will show up for big games, and if Vancouver becomes even better than this then they might successfully fill out the lower bowl for the playoffs or next season. I fully expect an fortress environment at BC Place, and I trust the supporter groups and just general supporters to smash it and be on of the best atmospheres this season and post-pandemic.

Two week break

Mental and physical preparation so key for this type of matches. The two week international break is the time to discuss game scenarios and possibilities while communicating the style of dplay and revising on simple but crucial instructions. I believe this gives the Whitecaps a major spark, to just get some chemistry boosts in the international break. Only four players participated in the international break in Adekugbe, Laryea, Brown and Hoilett. Maybe those four slightly more fatigued but other than that everyone else has had recovery and a fortnight to work on their talent and skills to prepare for this match and the most important part the postseason. Just a lot of training and recovery time for the players who are slightly shaken up. Like Andres Cubas, Gauld and Martins all have accumulated slight knocks especially for Cubas. But it is confirmed that his foot injury will not be enough to stop Ryan Gauld from playing, and I am not sure if this was something already there before the break or was it from training. If I had to guess, it would most likely be the game where Gauld had to come off in the game versus Colorado and was questionable heading into the match against D.C United. I believe that's what is keeping him from fully recovering and might be rushed back to action. But with how pivotal each point is at that stage then I fully understand. For the status of Cubas, last Saturday he was still deemed questionable for this match as he was slowly being put in back to full training. As he was admitted back to full training this past Wednesday. So even despite two week breaks from club soccer always feels dull but it might laos be the most important time and the best opportunity to re-group and plan. The same applies for LAFC as well to prepare for the final part of the season.

Past matches/ a look at LAFC

The past meetings between these two Western Conference teams. There were ups and a lot of downs in those matches. Two of them being in the Concacaf Champions League where Los Angeles FC, absolutely obliterated the Whitecaps. Defeating Vancouver 6-0 on aggregate, 3-0 on each respective tie. It was massively disappointing for some Whitecaps fans, and that was where the Vanni Out comments were being exclaimed out there by Vancouver fans. The 3-0 smashing at BC Place, continues to be one of the worst results at BC Place this campaign. The disappointment and distress it caused some supporters was immense. But the Whitecaps did get some revenge on June 24th, winning a tight contest 3-2 to get their first away win of the season. So a slight bit of revenge by Vancouver. Now can the Whitecaps build off and remember the good things that they did against their opponents on June 24th. And not reinforce the bad habits from the Concacaf Champions League experience. LAFC themselves, are on a pretty decent run of form. Winning against Minnesota and Austin to get into this situation. Both winning with high numbers, respectively 5-1 and 4-2. So their attack has been performing sensationally with those high goal scoring numbers. With great players for LAFC like Bouanga who is most likely going to win the Golden Boot, former goalkeeper of the Whitecaps Max Crepeau and also star players like Chellini and Carlos Vela. A lot of dangerous presences for the Whitecaps, players that can strike at you anytime. The stars of Los Angeles will most likely all be present in BC Place.

Prediction

I predict that the Whitecaps will come into the atmosphere that 12th man would I believe have a very big presence tonight. While Vanni will make good decisions to prevent the starts of LAFC from performing the best after the last time in the Concacaf Champions League. I predict an 2-1 victory for Vancouver. I believe that Vanni utilized the break well. With the atmosphere in BC Place really making an significant impact on the match pushing the Whitecaps forward. With the scenarios being published, and the situation both teams are in. Both teams would put in a great performance. And it will be more of solace and reflection instead of complete celebration, as with the most important part on the line you can't celebrate too early. So I firmly believe that the Whitecaps will take down with attitude and personality to win against LAFC 2-1.

Final Prediction: Whitecaps 2-1 LAFC