Whitecaps vs San Jose- Road to make the playoffs begins: Pre Match Thoughts

Intro

Major League Soccer resumes, and the Vancouver Whitecaps set to host the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday at BC Place. I will give my thoughts and analysis on this game, as the Whitecaps aim to start the playoff push on a high by defeating the Earthquakes, which will also make them climb above the Earthquakes in Major League Soccer standings.

MLS resumes

It's been over a month since the Caps have played in Major League Soccer, they have played 3 Leagues Cup games during the span of no MLS games. The Caps can reflect on each competition that they played in individually another time, but now they have to fully focus on MLS and making the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Caps also look forward to get back to where they left off in the MLS, which was a 4-2 win against LA Galaxy and a 2-1 win versus Austin. As I said, the road to the playoffs begins now, even though you are in a automatic playoff position currently, the gap between that and not making the wildcard match. With a upcoming 7 games not at home, you will have to make the most of it here at BC Place.

Potential debuts

Now it's finally time for Laryea and Adekugbe to show what they have to show in front of the home fans at BC Place. As they were bought in on deadline day, which was August 2nd and wasn't available for the game against Tigres due to travel. But the game against San Jose is the date, where these two Canadians to introduce themselves to the Caps fans, or reintroducing for the full-back Sam Adekugbe. It might be the first time that Richie Laryea walks onto the pitch, wearing a Vancouver Whitecaps jersey. While for Sam Adekugbe he is familiar with that jersey, as he was also apart of the Whitecaps academy, before professionally being signed to the first team. Nobody knows will they be on the pitch in the starting lineup or not but either way it will be entertaining, to see the two Canadian stars play. It is certainly exciting for Caps fans, as the Canadians is a fantastic additions to the squad. As it's been a while since the fans were this excited, now the Whitecaps in a good run and have a very good chance of making the playoffs and competing in it? There are plenty of reasons that Caps fans should look forward, to the debuts of Sam Adekugbe and Richie Laryea.

Last game at BC Place until September 30

This will be the last game that the Whitecaps will be playing in Vancouver, before going 7 straight games playing in unfamiliar territories. The seven game road trip looks deadly, especially with how the Caps have performed on the road this season, only recording 1 win out of 9 games away this season. But that is the future, the Caps have to worry about the mission they have now, which is to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes and get 3 points before that road trip. For the next Whitecaps game at BC Place, you will have to wait until September 30th, as that is when they will finally return and play at home, inside of BC Place and the Caps supporters, which the Caps will be facing D.C United on that day. But the job currently is to win against the Earthquakes.

Exploring San Jose/ Past Matchups

The San Jose Earthquakes find themselves in 6th in the closing part of the season, being 1 point above the Whitecaps and being 4 points clear from the line of missing the playoffs entirely. They lost both their games in the Leagues Cup, suffering defeats from the Portland Timbers and Tigres. But their latest match in MLS, they defeated Seattle in a 2-0 win. But they only have 1 win out of the 8 latest games including all competitions. They did previously defeat the Whitecaps, in the second game of the 2023 season they defeated the Caps 2-1, with Ebobisee and Akapo on the scoresheet for San Jose, and Alessandro Schopf on the scoresheet for Vancouver, on this occasion the Earthquakes hosted the Whitecaps at PayPal Park this time it's the Whitecaps turn to host the Earthquakes at BC Place. While dating back to October 2, 2021, Brian White scored a hat-trick to get a 3-0 win against the Earthquakes at BC Place, will it be another hat-trick match for Brian White? While key players for San Jose should be, Espinozza very good player, good dribbler scored 11 times during MLS play this season. And Ebobisee scored against the Caps in the last meeting, would like to bag another goal against the Caps, like he did last time.

Crucial decisions

Vanni has a couple of important decisions to make here versus the Earthquakes, as the first decision, and I believe this is a gigantic one. Do you start Richie Laryea and Sam Adekugbe as they're new acquisitions and is the first match in a Caps uniform for Richie Laryea and for Sam Adekugbe it's been a long time since he wore the jersey. Adekugbe is unfamiliar with all the teammates except for Russell Teibert, as I said the new signings couldn't travel on time to play or come off the bench against Tigres. So for Vanni do you start both, start one or start none?

Next up, will you start Ali Ahmed? As he has been waiting a long time to get a start for the Whitecaps, he didn't get a start for the Caps, after the unfortunate injury suffered on May 24, 2023. He did play quite a bit in the Gold Cup as he represented Canada very nicely, but when he got back, he was injured for a couple games but was available after. For me this is the game to start the young Canadian, Ali Ahmed.

For my starting lineup, obviously I would put Takaoka in goal, while playing a 3-1-4-2 as Vanni likes this formation as I believe this will help slot in Laryea and Adekugbe. The back line will be Martins, Veselinovic and Laborda I believe that Martins can help as he is usually composed while defending and can maintain possession at the back. Now the two wing-backs will be the two new signings, Adekugbe and Laryea. Laryea in my opinion, fitting for that wing-back spot pretty attacking player, while Adekugbe might be a bit more defensive, he can help out the back line, while making runs up front if necessary. Cubas is the CDM. I believe Schopf and Ahmed should be the pairing in midfield, as I think Schopf's awareness and talent in defending wil help Ahmed go forward and give him more freedom. While it's a strike partnership between Gauld and White, this has happened in many games especially recently, so I believe this can continue, as it has been pretty successful.

Prediction

I believe this would be a pretty high scoring game, with both teams failing to find a decider and will draw 2-2. The first half will be mostly the Earthquakes I think, as the Caps would look a bit out of shape, but the Earthquakes seem like a team that has been preparing for a long time, it will be 1-0 at the half for the visitors. But the Caps will find a way to bag 2 goals, while conceding one which will ultimately lead to a 2-2 draw to start the playoff push.

Score Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-2 San Jose Earthquakes

Potential Key Player For The Whitecaps

I think this player will shine in his debut, it is Richie Laryea. As he has something to prove here in Vancouver, as so far this is only tempoary. With him being unknown to some fans, he might have to introduce himself to the crowd at BC Place and show them the talent that he has. He also either have to show Nottingham Forest that he is good enough to play consistent minutes for them, or he has to convince the Whitecaps to sign him permanently. While I don't think he'll score, he will get key passes and play good defending. Showing off his touch, and his great passing abilities, The reason I didn't pick both of the signings, as I think it'll be easier for Adekugbe since he was a former Whitecaps player, and familiar with BC Place.